Australia vs Italy Tips & Preview - Kangaroos may struggle to cover a massive handicap at RLWC

Gary Emmerson

Editor

Last updated: 28 Oct 2022

Gary Emmerson 28 Oct 2022

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Australia vs Scotland tips for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup match
The game is being played at Totally Wicked Stadium (19:30 BST)
Australia won their last match by 84 points
Can the reigning world champions cover a -72.5 point handicap here?
Match preview, predictions and latest team news

Expired

Australia have been given a huge handicap to cover (Getty Images)

Australia vs Italy Predictions

Australia stepped up a gear to make light work of Scotland 84-0 last week. Can the world champions repeat the trick and cover a -72.5 handicap against Italy? I'm not sure they can on a form line between Italy and Scotland.

Australia vs Italy Predictions
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Squad & Team News
Italy Form
Italy Squad & Team News
Australia vs Italy FAQs

Australia are the defending World Cup champions.
Australia have won their last 14 matches at the Rugby League World Cup.
Italy have a win and a loss from 2 games at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Head to Head

This is the first meeting between the nations.

Australia Form

Australia started their Rugby League World Cup Final title defence with a 42-8 victory over Fiji last weekend.

The Kangaroos made it two from two with an 84-0 demolition of Scotland last weekend to secure their qualification to the quarter-finals - not that it was ever in doubt.

Australia Squad & Team News

Mal Meninga continues to rotate his squad for the final game of the group stages with Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Murray Taulagi and Latrell Mitchell among the ins.

Squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daly Cherry-Evans, 3. Ben Hunt, 4. Valentine Holmes, 6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Latrell Mitchell, 10. Jack Wighton, 11. Cameron Murray, 12. Matt Burton, 13. Patrick Carrigan, 14. Nathan Cleary, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Reuben Cotter, 18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 19. Campbell Graham, 21. Liam Martin, 22. Jeremiah Nanai, 23. Murray Taulagi, 24. Isaah Yeo.

Italy Form

Italy won their opening game of the tournament, beating Scotland 28-4 in what was their first match since the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

However, the Italians were brought back to earth last week as they were heavily beaten 60-4 by Fiji to damage their quarter-finals hopes.

Italy Squad & Team News

Squad: 1. Luke Polselli, 2. Richard Lepori, 3. Daniel Atkinson, 4. Ethan Natoli, 5. Jake Maizen, 6. Jack Campagnolo, 7. Radean Robinson, 8. Alec Susino, 9. Dean Parata, 10. Anton Iaria, 12. Brenden Santi, 13. Nathan Brown, 14. Joey Tramontana, 15. Luca Moretti, 16. Gioele Celerino, 17. Ronny Palumbo, 18. Kyle Pickering, 19. Luke Hodge, 20. Jack Colovatti.

Australia vs Italy FAQs

Where can I watch the Australia vs Italy live stream?

Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch the Australia vs Italy live stream.

What time does Australia vs Italy start?

The game starts at 19:30 BST on Saturday, October 29.

Verdict

Australia v Italy

The Kangaroos thumped Scotland by 84 points but Italy should be more competitive than that. I'm backing Italy with a +72.5 start.

Italy +72.5

Handicap

@10/11 - 3 Units

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