Second half blitz sees Australia ease by Italy

Digby Ioane of the Wallabies is tackled by Italy's Tommaso Benvenuti during their pool C Rugby World Cup clash. Photo / Getty Images

Australia 32 Italy 6

Scrum camps are all very well, but Robbie Deans will have a new list of things to work on following Australia's 32-6 victory at North Harbour Stadium today.

Australia's set piece still struggled at times - especially on Italy's put-in and the Azzurri almost scored a pushover late in the game. Although the final scoreline looks clear-cut, a limited Italy put the Wallabies under immense pressure in the first half.

Deans' team looked unnerved by the wet conditions and on-rushing men in blue - even though both were forecast - and they didn't score a point until the 19th minute.

They dictated territory and possession, but seemed strangely disjointed and unsure of themselves at times and they went to the break with the score 6-6.

Quade Cooper's two penalties were all Australia had to show for their dominance but they didn't look like cracking the Azzurri defence.

And Italy came back to even things up with successive Mirco Bergamasco penalties, much to the delight of the crowd, the majority of whom were supporting Italy. The Cooper catcalls and cheers when he made a botch up testified to that.

Cooper's first penalty came after he was late tackled by Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and his second followed a breakdown penalty which earned Sergio Parisse a talking to from referee Alain Rolland about his team's infringements in this area.

Australia finally clicked five minutes after the break when Digby Ioane combined well with Radicke Samo and Kurtley Beale to tie the Azzurri defence in knots. James O'Connor, a replacement for Anthony Fainga'a, chimed in, before prop Ben Alexander dived over.

The Wallabies were beginning to get some front-foot ball now and first Adam Ashley-Cooper and then O'Connor ran through some tired looking defence for tries.

Ioane deservedly bagged a five-pointer - he was a handful in the second half and always seemed on the verge of a half break.

Italy refused to give up despite the torrent of tries. No 8 Parisse, always sailing close to the offside line, showed some great skills and tenacity.

But they never looked likely to crack the Aussie defence. Their backs stood very deep - a rarity in international rugby these days - and their moves were telegraphed.

For Australia, Ioane was their dangerman and Beale was a class act at fullback.

Captain James Horwill was reliable in the lineout and No 8 Radike Samo improved as the game went on.

Australia 32 (Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane tries; Quade Cooper 2 penalties, O'Connor 3 conversions), Italy 6 (Mirco Bergamasco 2 penalties). Halftime: 6-6.