Wallabies pushed to maximum

Debutant Quade Cooper saved Australia's blushes by scoring a late try to secure an unimpressive 30-20 victory over Italy on Saturday.

The double world champions were tied 20-20 against the dogged Italians with eight minutes left, until substitute back Cooper danced through a host of players seal the win.

Winger Lachie Turner scored the Wallabies' only other try, with Matt Giteau notching up 17 points with the boot, while captain Stirling Mortlock got onto the scoreboard with a penalty.

Winger Mirco Bergamasco crossed the line for the Azzurri, while fly half Andrea Marcato and his replacement Luciano Orquera kicked the rest of Italy's points.

After an early trade of penalties between Mortlock and Marcato, Turner ran in the first try for Australia in the eighth minute when swift hands created an overlap on the right.

Fly-half Giteau, on from the bench after Berrick Barnes took an early knock, replied to another Marcato penalty, before the Italian playmaker narrowed the gap with a fine drop goal and a third place kick.

Australia then sliced through the home side's defence with ease but were let down by fumbles and poor kicks.

Momentum

The Azzurri managed to get some momentum going and took the lead on the half hour when full-back Andrea Masi burst through the Wallabies' backline following a clever switch of play from a scrum to set up Bergamasco.

Giteau split the posts with a long range penalty to send the teams in level 14-14 at halftime.

He converted two more amid whistles from the crowd after the break, but with several top players rested for next week's match against England, Australia were still unable to inspire.

Orquera, who replaced the injured Marcato at the start of the second half, brought Italy on equal terms again with kicks.

Things stayed tight until the closing stages, when Cooper's fancy feet saved face for the Aussies.