Australia v Italy: Nations Championship rugby union international – live

The Guardian UK Saturday 18 July 2026, 09:39 UTC By Jonathan Howcroft 1 min read

Key Points

Updates from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s last match in chargeKick-off time in Perth is 6.10pm local/8.10pm AEST/11.10am BST Any thoughts? Get in touch with an emailAngus Fontaine looks ahead to tonight’s match, and reflects on the Joe Schmidt era. Schmidt’s tenure as head coach started in 2024 with three straight victories at home.

Updates from Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt’s last match in charge
Kick-off time in Perth is 6.10pm local/8.10pm AEST/11.10am BST
Any thoughts? Get in touch with an email

Angus Fontaine looks ahead to tonight’s match, and reflects on the Joe Schmidt era.

Schmidt’s tenure as head coach started in 2024 with three straight victories at home. However, he has since won just eight of his 27 Tests in charge. And if his men fall to the Azzurri on Saturday – as they have in their last two clashes, in 2022 and 2025 – Schmidt’s win-loss record falls below 36% and leaves Australian rugby dealing with a terrible hangover.

Australia (LOCATION) Wallabies (ORG) Joe Schmidt (PERSON) Perth (LOCATION) BST (ORG) Fontaine (PERSON) Schmidt (PERSON) Azzurri (ORG) Australian (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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Australia v Italy: Nations Championship rugby union international – live

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