Australia beat Italy 26-7 on Saturday, keeping their unblemished record against the Azzurri intact.
In what had been billed as a must-win match for the Wallabies’ embattled coach, Michael Cheika, the Wallabies did suffer one setback, with a groggy David Pocock forced off in the second half.
The Wallabies showed enough attacking flair and scrambling defence to keep the Italians at bay in perfect conditions in the rugby-mad Italian town of Padua, but dropped balls and scrum penalties marred the victory, only their fourth in their last 12 tests.
Winger Marika Koroibete scored two tries and prop Taniela Tupou and replacement scrumhalf Will Genia one apiece, to set up Australia’s first win on their European tour.
Italian winger Mattia Bellini scored a runaway try soon after the break, scooping up a wayward pass from centre Bernard Foley, and were denied a first-half try after a video review.
Meanwhile, Pocock was forced off in the 52nd minute, and did not return after failing a Head Injury Assessment, which puts a question mark over his participation against England at Twickenham next Saturday.