Campo scores in Italian loss

By Mark Stevens
25/6/17

Exeter Chiefs star Michele Campagnaro maintained his impressive form for Italy during their summer tour with another try in their 40-27 defeat to Australia in Brisbane.

The talented centre scored the Azzurri’s opening try in a game which evenly contested until the Wallabies pulled clear with two late scores.

The hosts led 28-13 on the hour thanks to try-doubles from Sefa Naivalu and Israel Folau, but two tries in four minutes from Edoardo Padovani and Tommaso Benvenuto brought Conor O’Shea’s back to within a point.

Entering into the last quarter, however, it was Australia who upped the ante, pulling clear as the reliable Bernard Foley - who converted five of their six tries - and Reece Hodge crossed to ensure a much-needed victory for Michael Cheika’s side following last week’s home defeat to Scotland.

Italian coach O’Shea said: “I’m gutted we lost. We didn’t come here to come second. But as we get fitter and strong we will get more self-belief. If we work hard and make changes and we get the support we need, we will become a competitive country again.