Tuqiri inspires Wallabies to big victory

Four tries by dynamic winger Lote Tuqiri and a man-of-the-match performance by Matt Giteau steered Australia to their second big win of the international season – a 69-21 victory over Italy at Telstra Dome on Saturday.

Giteau was the second top scorer with 17 points, claiming one of Australia’s 11 tries and making six conversions, but it was the way he went about his craft that brought the crowd to their feet.

Certainly that was the case on the hour mark when he broke through the weak Italy line on their 22-metre line and then started running almost back on himself before sending hooker Jeremy Paul over near the posts.

It was one of the tries of the year and highlighted the world-class playmakers that Wallabies coach Eddie Jones can call upon in the middle of the pitch, where fly-half Steve Larkham and Giteau dominated.

The win was also Australia’s biggest over Italy in eight Tests, beating their previous best of 40-18 in Padova in 1996.

Italy were well beaten before the half-hour mark, when Australia already held a 31-0 lead after tries by fit-again George Gregan, Giteau, Mark Chisholm and Tuqiri (2).

The Azzurri had not been helped by the loss of fly-half Ramiro Pez following an accidental blow to the head from Stirling Mortlock in the fifth minute.

A Wendell Sailor try increased the agony for the Italians. Although Andrea Lo Cicero got the Azzurri on the board with a 37th-minute try, there was still time for Mat Rogers to give Australia a 43-7 half-time lead.

Italy hit back strongly with tries by Antonio Mannato and Marco Bergamasco, but it was never going to be enough as Australia ran in a further four tries through David Lyons, Paul and Tuqiri (2).

Australia have now scored more than 140 points in their opening two internationals but both Gregan and coach Jones know they are in for a much tougher battle against France next Saturday.

“France will be a much more difficult side,” Jones acknowledged.

“Last week’s match in South Africa (30-30) was one of the best games of international rugby I have ever seen.”

Jones will be boosted for the Brisbane Test by the return of four or five players from injury, including regular full-back Chris Latham.