The Wallabies have recorded a convincing 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth, ending Joe Schmidt's coaching tenure on a winning note.
They ran in nine tries to two against the Italians in front of a sold-out crowd, with lock Josh Canham claiming a hat-trick.
It is the Wallabies' first win of the Nations Championship following losses to Ireland (33-31) and France (42-26) in their opening two matches.
The victory rarely looked in doubt, with the Wallabies racing out to a 19-0 lead after just 12 minutes.
Schmidt took charge of the Wallabies in the wake of the disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Although the New Zealander did not enjoy the success he had when coaching Ireland, there were highlights during his tenure.
The 38-22 defeat of the Springboks at Ellis Park last August stands out, as does the 42-37 upset of England at Twickenham in 2024.
Josh Canham (right) scored a hat-trick of tries for the Wallabies. (Getty Images: Graham Denholm/Nations Championship)
Schmidt finished up with 12 wins from 31 Tests as Wallabies coach and now hands over the reins to Les Kiss.
Kiss will lead the Wallabies for the first time next month when they face Japan in Osaka.
The Wallabies will resume their Nations Championship campaign in November.
They will play England (Twickenham), Scotland (Murrayfield) and Wales (Millennium Stadium).
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
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Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:40pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:40pm
Thanks for your company!
By Luke Pentony
We're going to leave our coverage here — thanks for joining us!
Make sure to stick with us throughout the Wallabies' 2026 Test season.
Bye for now!
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:38pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:38pm
Schmidt ends on winning note
By Luke Pentony
Well done to Joe Schmidt for finishing his Wallabies tenure with a triumph.
He leaves the Wallabies with 12 wins from 31 Tests.
As we highlighted before the match, his time in charge will be judged — at least for now — on his win-loss record.
But it must be kept in mind he has attempted to lay foundations for future success.
Perhaps his legacy should be reviewed after the Wallabies contest next year's Rugby World Cup.
It's now over to Les Kiss, starting with the Brave Blossoms in Japan on August 8.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:29pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:29pm
Schmidt reflects on Wallabies swansong
By Luke Pentony
Following his final Test in charge, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has spoken with the Nine Network.
I think if you look back two and a half years, I think we've definitely made progress.
I think the players are more connected. I think the leaders are more vocal.
When asked was he satisfied with the progress made under his watch as he hands over to new coach Les Kiss, Schmidt said:
I'm happy, but I'm never satisfied … you don't go into a game against Ireland and control it and lead for 77 minutes and then let it slip.
And our first half against France: 21-12 at half-time. So there's always going to be regrets.
Schmidt says he will relish his final few hours as Wallabies coach.
I finish at midnight and I'm going to enjoy those two hours and maybe a couple after that as well.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:19pm
Wilson satisfied with Wallabies' win
By Luke Pentony
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson was a happy camper after his side's thrashing of Italy.
He also spoke with Nine.
We were clinical, we had a lot of positive moments in a row.
Our discipline improved …we've been training really hard and we haven't got results over the last two weeks.
To go out there tonight and have a really clinical result was really pleasing.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:16pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:16pm
Canham on his hat-trick
By Luke Pentony
Wallabies lock Josh Canham isn't taking credit for his three-try effort, as he told Nine.
Tries are because of how well that forward pack went tonight.
I didn't didn't have to do too much. It was a metre each try.
So it's all the forward pack.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:14pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:14pm
Wallabies win for Schmidt and Fisher
By Luke Pentony
Wallabies inside centre Len Ikitau spoke to the Nine Network after the match, dedicating the win to departing coaches Joe Schmidt and Laurie Fisher.
The boys put in the effort and it showed on the scoreboard, but I don't think it was just for us.
We wanted to put in a good performance for Joe and for Lord (Fisher), and I think we did that tonight.
Key Event
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:09pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:09pm
Wallabies win!
By Luke Pentony
(Getty)Wallabies triumph over Italy!
A 57-10 victory over the Italians in Perth sees Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt end his tenure on a winning note.
The home side scored nine tries to two as they claimed their first win of 2026.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:07pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:07pm
80' Wallabies score!
By Luke Pentony
Ben Donaldson scores just before the full-time whistle!
The Wallabies capitalise on an entry inside the Italian half.
They work the ball up the field, with Donaldson eventually dotting down, before he adds the extras to ice a 57-10 victory.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:05pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:05pm
78' Wallabies set for first win of 2026
By Luke Pentony
Play has been camped inside the Wallabies' half in the dying stages of the Test, with Italy determined to play through to the full-time whistle.
But the Wallabies will run out convincing winners in Joe Schmidt's final Test in charge.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
75' Italy denied!
By Luke Pentony
Reserve hooker Pablo Dimcheff was awarded a try following an Italian driving maul but its disallowed following a TMO review.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 10:00pm
74' Italy gets penalty inside Wallabies'22
By Luke Pentony
Italy can't win from this point, but it can add respectability to its score.
The Italians kick for touch for a line-out throw inside the Wallabies' 22, after the home side gives away a penalty.
Can Italy get over the stripe?
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:57pm
72' Slipper off for HIA
By Luke Pentony
Angus Bell is back on the field, with James Slipper taken off for an HIA.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:54pm
68' Wallabies make more replacements
By Luke Pentony
Amid the excitement of the most recent try and the red card, we'll catch you up on some of the Wallabies' team changes.
Fraser McReight has replaced Carlo Tizzano at openside flanker, and Ben Donaldson is on for Declan Meredith at fly half.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:48pm
66' Red card after melee breaks out
By Luke Pentony
A melee has broken out between the two sides, spilling over the touchline.
Miles Amatosero took offence to an Italian opponent, which sparked the melee.
Italy prop Marco Riccioni, who had been replaced, ran in and was involved, and he is shown a red card!
It doesn't mean Italy is down to 14 players, as Riccioni was a non-participant because he had been replaced.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
64' Pollard over and Wallabies hit half-century!
By Luke Pentony
Billy Pollard scores!
A Wallabies driving maul from the earlier line-out puts Italy on the back foot.
The Wallabies get over the line, allowing Pollard to dive down.
The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but the Wallabies have reached the half-century!
They lead 50-10.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:45pm
63' Another Wallabies penalty
By Luke Pentony
Italy is penalised for offside and the Wallabies kick for touch.
A line-out throw eight metres from Italy's line — what can they do?
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:42pm
59' Wallabies eye off another try
By Luke Pentony
Some outstanding work from the Wallabies over the ball earns a penalty at the breakdown inside Italy's half.
They kick for touch to have a line-out throw close to Italy's goal line.
Can they score from here?
No dice!
Reserve hooker Billy Pollard makes a mess of the throw, giving Italy possession.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:38pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:38pm
58' Amatosero makes Test debut
By Luke Pentony
Congratulations Miles Amatosero!
The Wallabies reserve lock is on for his Test debut.
Jeremy Williams earns an early shower.
Ryan Lonergan is also done for the night, with Tate McDermott entering the match.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:36pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:36pm
54' Wallabies opt for fresh props
By Luke Pentony
Wallabies bookends Allan Alaalatoa and Angus Bell have left the field.
Zane Nonggorr and James Slipper come on as fresh replacements.
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:32pm
Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 9:32pm
52' Canham has a hat-trick!
By Luke Pentony
Three tries to Josh Canham!
The hulking Wallabies lock barges his way over the goal line after the Wallabies took a tap from a close-range penalty.
Ryan Lonergan kicked the conversion, moving the Wallabies out to a 45-10 lead.
