Italy

Schmidt Signs Off With 57-10 Rout of Italy in Wallabies Farewell

Joe Schmidt bowed out as Wallabies coach with a 57-10 rout of Italy in Perth, ending a six-Test losing run. Lock Josh Canham scored a hat-trick as Australia claimed their biggest win in 12 years.

Rugby Union · 7/18/2026

World Rugby Bans Italy Coach Quesada in Referee-Abuse First

World Rugby has suspended Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada for two matches — the first sanction under its new match official abuse process — after he blamed referee Luc Ramos for the heavy defeat to New Zealand. He will miss Saturday's clash with the Wallabies.

Rugby Union · 7/16/2026

Schmidt Names Meredith at 10 for Farewell Wallabies Test

Joe Schmidt signs off as Wallabies coach against Italy in Perth on Saturday, keeping faith with debutant fly-half Declan Meredith as he tries to end a six-match losing run before Les Kiss takes over.

Rugby Union · 7/15/2026

All Blacks Legends Split on Rennie's Start Despite Italy Rout

New Zealand beat Italy 47-17 and Will Jordan broke the All Blacks try record, but Justin Marshall, Jeff Wilson, Dave Rennie and Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada could not agree on whether the new-era side has actually improved.

Rugby Union · 7/12/2026

Schmidt Needs Italy Win to Avoid Worst Wallabies Record

Australia's 42-26 collapse against France left them with a sixth straight defeat and nine losses in 10 Tests. Joe Schmidt, who called the night 'soul destroying', now needs a win over Italy in Perth to avoid finishing with the worst record of any Wallabies coach.

Rugby Union · 7/12/2026

Jordan Breaks Howlett's Record as All Blacks Grind Past Italy

Will Jordan's second-half hat-trick against Italy took him past Doug Howlett as the All Blacks' all-time leading Test try-scorer, though Dave Rennie admitted his side left points out there in a messy 47-17 Nations Championship win.

Rugby Union · 7/11/2026

All Blacks Poised to Reclaim No.1 if Springboks Slip at Loftus

The Springboks' grip on the World Rugby No.1 ranking could break this weekend. A heavy Scotland win at Loftus, paired with an All Blacks victory over Italy, would return New Zealand to the summit and that is just one of a dozen ranking scenarios live across Nations Championship Round 2.

Rugby Union · 7/10/2026

Rennie Keeps Faith as Erasmus Calls New All Blacks 'Frantic'

Dave Rennie made five changes but resisted an overhaul for Italy, explaining why Beauden Barrett and others missed out, while Springbok boss Rassie Erasmus watched on and branded the new-look All Blacks 'frantic' in a verdict doubling as a scouting report.

Rugby Union · 7/10/2026

Will Jordan Two Tries From Howlett's All Blacks Record

Will Jordan sits on 47 Test tries, two short of Doug Howlett's All Blacks record, and starts against Italy in Wellington on Saturday with the mark in his sights.

Rugby Union · 7/9/2026

Rennie Urged to 'Play Everyone' as All Blacks Face Italy

New Zealand host Italy at Wellington's Sky Stadium on Saturday, and All Blacks greats Stephen Donald and Mils Muliaina are urging Dave Rennie to rotate hard and blood uncapped players before tougher Tests against Ireland and South Africa.

Rugby Union · 7/8/2026