Aussies made to graft

Italy 18 Australia 40

Australia made heavy work of defeating Italy, trailing 18-13 at half- time, as David Campese won his 100th cap in Padova last night. The winger, 34 on Monday, whose father was born in Italy, was greeted by a banner that said "Some say God, we say Campo" but he proved a mere mortal. At the end of the match he was carried off the field on the shoulders of his team-mates.

The Australian flanker, David Wilson, opened the scoring with a try but Italy replied with Stefano Bordon's try and a drop goal by Diego Dominguez. Matt Burke kicked two first-half penalties but six minutes after the interval Dominguez scored a try which he converted. He added another penalty to put the home side 18-13 ahead.

Another two Burke penalties put the visitors ahead but it was only Michael Foley's pushover try that give the visitors breathing space. Italy faded badly with Tim Horan scoring a try in the 75th minute and Wilson his second in the final minute, Burke converting both.

Italy: Tries Bordon, Dominguez; Conversion: Dominguez; Penalty Dominguez. Drop goal: Dominguez. Australia: Tries Wilson (2), Foley, Horan; Conversions Burke (4); Penalties: Burke (4).

ITALY: J Pertile; M Ravazzolo, S Bordon, I Francescato, L Manteri; D Dominguez, A Troncon; M Dal Sie, C Orlandi, F Properzi, W Cristofoletto (A Baratin, 76), D Scaglia, M Giovanelli, A Sgorlon, O Arancio.

AUSTRALIA: M Burke; T Horan, D Herbert, P Howard, D Campese; D Knox (J Little, 47), G Gregan; R Harry, M Foley, A Heath, J Welborn, J Eales, D Manu, D Wilson, M Brial (B Robinson, 45).

Referee: E Sorenson (US).