In this bulletin:
1. RUGBY — McDowall to lead much-changed Scotland as Vakatawa makes Fiji debut
2. RUGBY — Flying Fijians Coach vows to make changes
3. RUGBY — Fiji Drua coach wary of Reds tactic
4. RUGBY — Patrick Tuipulotu ready to repay Dave Rennie’s faith in All Blacks return
5. RUGBY LEAGUE — Jarome Luai brings winning pedigree as Eels turn to Toa Sāmoa star to revive title push
6. FOOTBALL — Solomon Islands fight back to beat Vanuatu 2-1
7. FOOTBALL — New Zealand secure semi-final spot with commanding win over Tahiti
8. RUGBY LEAGUE — Luai desperate to deliver final gift before ‘shock’ Tigers exit
9. RUGBY — Depleted Italy make nine changes for Australia Test
10. RUGBY — World Rugby implements new match official abuse sanction process
UK – RUGBY: AFP PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
McDowall to lead much-changed Scotland as Vakatawa makes Fiji debut
EDINBURGH, 17 JULY 2026 (AFP)—Stafford McDowall will captain a Scotland side showing a mammoth 14 changes in Saturday’s Nations Championship international against Fiji at Murrayfield.
Only Gregor Brown has retained his starting place following last weekend’s 42-28 defeat by world champions South Africa in Pretoria, and he has been switched by coach Gregor Townsend from the second row to No 8.
Back-row Freddy Douglas and hooker Gregor Hiddleston are both set to make their first Test starts for what is technically a Fiji ‘home’ game, with the Pacific Islanders playing all their three fixtures in the July leg of the inaugural Nations Championship in Britain for financial reasons.
Townsend, whose side won in Argentina in their opening game, said: “We’re excited to see this team play”
The former Scotland playmaker added: “We’ve got to have an eye on the future, so the depth that we’ve created and are still creating, that only comes if you give people opportunities.”
Fiji suffered a humiliating 73-8 loss to England in Liverpool last week and they could face another tough afternoon in Edinburgh, with Scotland recalling Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe, their two all-time leading try-scorers.
The pair will be making their first appearances of the July programme after missing out to rival wings Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie.
“Both of them can consider themselves unlucky not to play in the first two games,” said Townsend.
“They’ve both reacted really well in training. Duhan had some injury issues during the Six Nations, came back and played really well for Edinburgh at the end of the season. We had a training game with Spain where he went very well.
“Darcy hasn’t changed really at all throughout the year. Whatever role he played in the Six Nations, whether it was off the bench or starting, he was outstanding.”
Fiji will give a debut to centre Virimi Vakatawa, reviving his international career after 32 caps for France.
Vakatawa’s time with France ended four years ago when medical examinations revealed a heart abnormality, but he returned one year later at English Prem club Bristol.
The 34-year-old meets World Rugby’s eligibility rules to switch national teams, as more than 36 months have passed since his last France cap. He replaces Kalaveti Ravouvou from the team hammered by England.
Simione Kuruvoli, banned after being sent off against England, is replaced at scrum-half by Frank Lomani.
Scotland (15-1): Tom Jordan; Darcy Graham, Ollie Smith, Stafford McDowall (capt), Duhan van der Merwe; Fergus Burke, George Horne; Gregor Brown, Freddy Douglas, Josh Bayliss; Max Williamson, Jonny Gray; D’arcy Rae, Gregor Hiddleston, Rory Sutherland
Replacements: Seb Stephen, Pierre Schoeman, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Magnus Bradbury, Liam McConnell, Jamie Dobie, Sione Tuipulotu
Fiji (15-1): Isaiah Armstrong Ravula; Selestino Ravutaumada, Virimi Vakatawa, Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Waniqolo; Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Elia Canakaivata, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Pita Gus Sowakula; Temo Mayanavanua, Isoa Nasilasila; Mesake Doge, Tevita Ikanavere (capt), Eroni Mawi
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Livai Natave, Peni Ravai, Mesake Vocevoce, Kitione Salawa, Sam Wye, Isikeli Rabitu, Salesi Rayasi…PACNEWS
UK – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Flying Fijians Coach vows to make changes
EDINBRUGH, 17 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Flying Fijians interim head coach Senirusi Seruvakula will make several changes in the line-up to face Scotland in Murrayfield, Edinburgh, on Sunday morning (Fiji time).
“There will be changes to the squad for this weekend’s match against Scotland, including two debutants,” he said.
“We will announce the team tomorrow (Friday morning- Fiji time),” Seruvakula said.
He said players who have yet to feature in the loss to Wales and England would be given the opportunity to represent Fiji.
“At the start of the campaign, I’ve assured the players that everyone in the squad would have an opportunity to play. (Isikeli) Rabitu and Sam Wye will be included in the team.”
Also yet to make his Test debut for Fiji is former France international Virimi Vakatawa. Seruvakula has reminded the squad that every player selected deserve the chance to represent their country.
He said the Flying Fijians are determined to bounce back and beat Scotland after consecutive defeats.
“We have to stay connected as a team. Although we lost our last two matches, this is a tough competition and we must raise our standards to compete consistently at Tier One level,” he said…..PACNEWS
FIJI – RUGBY: FIJI SUN PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Fiji Drua coach wary of Reds tactic
NADI, 17 JULY 2026 (FIJI SUN)—Fiji Drua Women head coach Mike Legge believes dominance in the collision and execution will be the keys to victory against Queensland Reds in Saturday’s Super W semi-final at Churchill Park, Lautoka.
Legge said that the Reds were a physical side built around winning collisions, making it vital for the Drua to match and better that intensity.
“I’ve been pretty consistent with the areas that I see win us games,” he told SUNsports.
“The Reds are a very collision-based side, so we’ve got to make sure that we match it and give it back to them tenfold. That will create opportunities for us.
“It’s also about skill execution. We’ve got to make sure that we execute our skills well to score points.
“Our game this year has always been based around winning the collision and everything flows from that.”
Legge said the team has continued to improve since their opening round defeat to NSW Waratahs.
“Our girls have built well. We suffered that loss against the Waratahs in round one, but we’ve gradually improved from there,” he said.
“We’ve focused heavily on our collision work, but it’s also about getting our starts right. We feel if we can get through the first 20 minutes, it gives us a great chance of getting a positive result.”
Legge identified the Reds’ forward pack as the team’s biggest threat.
“They base a lot of their game around their forwards. They’ve got a very good set piece, which we saw in our last round-robin game against them.
“They rely heavily on their scrum, especially with the ball carrying of Eva Karpani and a few others, and they also have a strong line-out.
“We’ve got to nullify their set piece in both the scrum and line-out and apply real pressure in defence. If we can do those things well, it will go a long way towards winning this semi-final.”
With a place in the final at stake, Legge said his side was focused solely on Saturday’s challenge.
“We don’t want to look past this weekend. We’ve got to get the job done in the semi-final first before we worry about what comes next.
“It’s nice to think about that but our focus is on making sure the girls are ready to get the win.”
Meanwhile, Fiji Drua playmaker Imeri Nai will miss Saturday’s Super W semifinal against Queensland Reds at Churchill Park in Lautoka.
She suffered a shoulder injury during their training session.
“This flared up again, so she’s actually been ruled out for three to four weeks,” said Drua head coach Mike Legge.
“So which is unfortunate for her but again we’re still pretty confident with the team that will play.”
Legge added that side is concentrating solely on Saturday’s match, with the win likely to bring the grand-final home.
The match marks the first time Fiji will host a standalone Super Rugby W semi-final.
He said the players are determined to seize the opportunity but would not look beyond this weekend.
“We’ve got to get the job done in the semi-final first before we worry about what comes next. Our focus is on making sure the girls are ready to get the win.”
The match kicks-off at 1.05pm.
Line-up
Drua- 1. Karalaini Naisewa, 2. Keleni Marawa, 3. Tiana Robanakadavu, 4. Mereoni Nakesa, 5. Carletta Yee, 6. Nunia Daunimoala, 7. Salaseini Railumu, 8. Sulita Waisega, 9. Kolora Lomani (c), 10. Varanisese Qoro, 11. Aqela Raitubu, 12. Josivini Naihamu, 13. Merewairita Neivosa, 14. Atelaite Buna, 15. Litiana Vueti.
Reserves: 16. Bitila Tawake, 17. Zipporah Sorokacika, 18. Keri Lawavou, 19. Karavaki Lutumaibau, 20. Alfreda Fisher, 21. Evivi Senikarivi, 22. Ivamere Rokowati, 23. Verenaisi Ditavutu.
Reds– 1 Hayley Glass, 2. Zophronia Setu, 3. Eva Karpani, 4. Lucy Thorpe, 5. Jemma Bemrose (c), 6. Zoe Hanna, 7. Dillyn Blackburn, 8. Tiarna Molloy, 9. Sarah Dougherty, 10. Lori Cramer, 11. Piper Flynn, 12. Ava Wereta, 13. Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, 14. Charlie Brigstocke, 15. Harmony Vatau
Reserves: 16. Mary Tuaana, 17. Jordan Neal, 18. Tanya Kalounivale, 19. Vineta Teutau, 20. Sarah Riordan, 21. Evie Sampson, 22. Charity Wightman-Beaven….PACNEWS
PAC – RUGBY: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Patrick Tuipulotu ready to repay Dave Rennie’s faith in All Blacks return
AUCKLAND, 17 JULY 2026 (PMN)—Sa’u Patrick Tuipulotu has fought through another injury setback to earn his chance back in black – and the Sāmoan lock says he does not want to let All Blacks coach Dave Rennie down.
Tuipulotu will make his first Test start of the year when New Zealand host Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday.
The 33-year-old returns to the starting XV after recovering from the calf injury that ruled him out of Rennie’s maiden Test match in charge against France.
The match is the third round of the Nations Championship with the All Blacks arriving at Eden Park unbeaten after wins over France and Italy in their opening two Tests.
For the Auckland Blues captain, the opportunity means more after another difficult period on the sidelines.
“He’s [Rennie] trusting me, so I don’t want to disappoint him and let people down,” Tuipulotu told a media conference.
“I suppose that’s why he picked me this week. Looking forward to the physical battle up front.”
Tuipolotu has battled injuries throughout his career since making his All Blacks debut in 2014, with setbacks interrupting his time at both international and domestic level.
Rennie said Tuipulotu’s resilience throughout those challenges made his return all the more rewarding.
“He has genuine impact and it would be nice for him to string some Tests together,” Rennie told journalists.
“It’s been a challenging year for him, he’s constantly had niggles and maybe never really been 100 per cent … we just wanted to give him one more week.”
The All Blacks coach believes Tuipulotu’s size, experience and physicality will be important against an Ireland side known for their powerful forward pack.
“He had a really good training week last week and this week to give him confidence to go out and go full throttle,” Rennie said.
“He’s a big man and it’s just great to get Patty out there and he’s really looking forward to it.”
Tuipulotu expresses he is also looking forward to the physical battle.
“It’s an opportunity for me to get out there and enjoy the game,” he said. “The physical part is what I enjoy the most, and he’s given me free rein to do that this week.
“It’s the ultimate test coming up against the Irish.”
The rivalry between New Zealand and Ireland has become one of rugby’s biggest modern battles.
The Irish made history in 2022 by winning a Test series in Aotearoa for the first time while the two teams have shared five wins each across their last 10 meetings before the All Blacks regained the advantage with a 26-13 victory in Chicago last year.
Despite New Zealand’s unbeaten record at Eden Park, stretching back more than three decades, Tuipulotu knows Ireland will arrive with confidence.
“We’d be kidding ourselves if we didn’t respect them [Ireland],” he said.
“The last time they came here, they won the series against us, so we’ve got to respect that. I’m expecting nothing less than their best, so it’s had to make us sort of shift gears in that aspect.”
Rennie said the All Blacks must put Ireland under pressure and win the battle upfront.
“Our job’s to get them out of their comfort zone, ensure through how we defend that they’re below their best and try and profit off that,” he said.
“We’re going to have to bar up big-time at set-piece, and we’re pretty confident with the group we’ve got that we can apply pressure there.”
Tuipulotu will be one of seven players of Pacific heritage in the All Blacks’ match-day 23, joining captain Ardie Savea and Tupou Vaa’i in the starting XV, while Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Peter Lakai and Caleb Clarke provide impact off the bench.
Vaa’i’s move to blindside flanker is one of the biggest talking points from this week’s team naming, with the No. 6 jersey remaining one of the All Blacks’ most unsettled positions over the past year.
TEAMS
All Blacks: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Josh Lord, Patrick Tuipolotu, Tupou Vaai, Luke Jacobson, Ardie Savea, Cam Roigard, Ruben Love, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Anton Segner, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
Ireland: Tom O’Toole, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan, Jamison Gibson-Park, Sam Prendergast, Jimmy O’Brien, Stuart McCloskey, Garry Ringrose, Rob Baloucoune, Hugo Keenan. Reserves: Ronan Kelleher, Jeremy Loughman, Thomas Clarkson, Nick Timoney, Sean Jansen, Craig Casey, Ciaran Frawley, Bundee Aki….PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: PMN PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Jarome Luai brings winning pedigree as Eels turn to Toa Sāmoa star to revive title push
AUCKLAND, 17 JULY 2027 (PMN)—-Jarome Luai could be the missing piece Parramatta have been searching for.
The Toa Sāmoa international will join the Eels for the 2027 NRL season on a one-year deal before he heads to Papua New Guinea to join the new franchise, PNG Chiefs in 2028.
The 29-year-old will bring experience, leadership and a proven winning record as Parramatta looks to rebuild their title hopes.
Luai’s arrival gives the Eels an experienced replacement after the blue and gold club struggled to fill the void left by five-eighth Dylan Brown, who departed at the end of 2025 for a record-breaking deal with the Newcastle Knights.
Parramatta have spent the past 18 months searching for the right partner alongside star halfback Mitchell Moses, with several young playmakers given opportunities to step into the role.
Mark O’Neill, Eels General Manager of Football, believes Luai’s experience can make an immediate impact, both on and off the field.
“Jarome is one of the most experienced and successful players of his generation, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the Parramatta Eels next year,” O’Neill said in a club statement.
“Beyond what he offers on the field, we believe Jarome will have a tremendous impact on our younger players coming through the system. His experience in high-performance environments and his professional approach to preparation and training will help mentor and develop the next generation of Eels.”
Luai arrives with four NRL premierships, State of Origin success and more than 160 first-grade appearances.
The move will also reunite Luai with Moses after the pair helped New South Wales secure a memorable State of Origin series win in 2024.
Luai will add to a growing Pacific presence at Parramatta, with the Toa Sāmoa playmaker potentially lining up alongside international teammate Junior Paulo, who is off contract at the end of the season.
Former NRL and Kangaroos representative, Matty Johns, says bringing in a player of Luai’s calibre “can’t be anymore than a good thing”.
“If you bring Jarome in… he brings experience, some expertise,” Johns told The Run Home Podcast. The NRL commentator also expressed how much strength it adds to the Eels spine.
“Even for just one season, you got Jarome, you got Mitch Moses, you got Iongi [Isaiah] at the back… you can see the team would start to form.”
For the Eels, Luai’s short-term signing provides stability while allowing emerging halves, including Lorenzo Talataina and Lincoln Fletcher, more time to develop…..PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Solomon Islands fight back to beat Vanuatu 2-1
PORT MORESBY, 17 JULY 2026 (OFC)—Solomon Islands came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Vanuatu in a fiercely contested Melanesian clash in Group A at the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship.
Both sides entered the match desperate to bounce back from opening-round defeats, with Vanuatu looking to recover from a 4-1 loss to Tahiti and Solomon Islands aiming to respond after falling 5-1 to New Zealand.
The first major opportunity arrived in the 13th minute when George Lea’i won a penalty after latching onto Walcott Kona’s incisive through ball before being clipped from behind by Vanuatu defender Matthew Naviti. Le’ai stepped up himself but fired his spot-kick over the crossbar, allowing Vanuatu to escape.
Despite the early scare, Vanuatu took the lead on the half-hour mark through captain Russle Allaleo. A defensive mix-up following a clearance saw Solomon Islands defender Edward Waleilia slip at a crucial moment, leaving Allaleo with the simplest of finishes as he calmly slotted home.
The advantage lasted only five minutes. Greggy Gau restored parity in spectacular fashion, unleashing a powerful strike from outside the penalty area that flew beyond the reach of the Vanuatu goalkeeper.
Solomon Islands completed the turnaround before the break when Lea’i made amends for his earlier penalty miss. Winning possession high up the pitch, the forward wasted no time in shooting from distance, catching goalkeeper Ezekiel Tasso off guard as the ball found the back of the net.
The win hands Solomon Islands their first three points of the tournament, while Vanuatu remain in search of their first victory.
Vanuatu: 1 (Russle ALLALEO 30′)
Solomon Islands: 2 (Greggy GAU 35′, George LEA’I 41′)
HT: 1-2…PACNEWS
PAC – FOOTBALL: OFC PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
New Zealand secure semi-final spot with commanding win over Tahiti
PORT MORESBY, 17 JULY 2026 (OFC)—New Zealand booked their place in the OFC U-16 Men’s Championship 2026 semi-finals with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Tahiti.
Both sides entered the match unbeaten after opening round victories, with a semi-final berth on the line. New Zealand dominated possession from the outset, while Tahiti looked to frustrate the defending champions by packing numbers behind the ball.
The breakthrough came in the 10th minute when Jack Clegg capitalised on a goalkeeping error. Tahiti goalkeeper Tuanui Manea fumbled the ball under pressure, allowing Clegg to pounce and slot home from close range.
Just three minutes later, New Zealand doubled their advantage. Captain Ben Trenberth’s corner found Jackson Skinner, whose powerful header struck the post before bouncing over the line.
Tahiti nearly responded from a free-kick midway through the half. Goalkeeper Zane Donaghy initially spilled the delivery into the path of Manavai Dordillon, but reacted brilliantly to recover and push the close range effort away, preserving New Zealand’s two goal lead at the break.
Trenberth extended the advantage five minutes into the second half with a superb individual strike, powering past his defender before finishing emphatically to make it 3-0.
Zac Cashmore added New Zealand’s fourth after driving through the Tahiti defence and calmly finishing beyond the goalkeeper. Although Esdras Jamet pulled one back for Tahiti with a late header from Manatea Ahupu’s free-kick, New Zealand quickly restored their dominance. Tristan Bancroft found the net in the 84th minute before Cashmore completed his brace four minutes later to seal an impressive 6-1 victory.
The result sends New Zealand through to the semi-finals with maximum points, while Tahiti will look to bounce back in their final group fixture.
New Zealand: 6 (Jack CLEGG 10′, Jackson SKINNER 13′, Ben TRENBERTH 50′, Zac CASHMORE 67′, 88′, Tristan BANCROFT 84′)
Tahiti: 1 (Esdras JAMET 80′)
HT: 2-0…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY LEAGUE: NRL PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Luai desperate to deliver final gift before ‘shock’ Tigers exit
SYDNEY, 17 JULY 2026 (NRL)—Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai has declared his desire to help the club break a 15-year finals drought as he opens up on his surprise at being released by the Tigers.
Luai’s time at Concord will end after just two years of a lucrative five-year deal after club officials decided to accelerate his exit following his decision to sign with the Papua New Guinea Chiefs from 2028 in April.
While he had initially hoped to play out the remaining 18 months of his contract with the Tigers, the playmaker will instead line up for the Eels in 2027 before joining the Chiefs for their inaugural campaign.
The Tigers’ decision comes as they prioritise re-signing a host of young players to build their long-term future around, include talented brothers Samuela and Latu Fainu. The pair are off contract at the end of next year and likely to receive significant interest from rival clubs if they hit the open market on November 1.
Latu is a 21-year-old five-eighth many have predicted will develop into a star and could slide straight into Luai’s No.6 jumper next year.
Talking to the media on Thursday morning, Luai revealed his surprise at being informed the club planned on moving forward without him next season but backed the team’s long-term direction.
“It was a bit of a shock, I’ll be honest with you,” Luai told reporters. “As a player, our game at this level is a business and the faster the athlete is able to comprehend that, the better understanding they have of where and why these decisions are made.
“I’m fully supportive of the club, knowing there’s some potential in these guys here, especially in the halves. Without opportunity, those guys can’t prosper and the last thing I wanted to be was a roadblock for another man’s success, so I’m fully supportive of the club.”
Luai’s early departure comes as the Tigers fight to keep their top-eight hopes alive amid a tough run on the field.
Benji Marshall’s side burst out of the gates to win four of their first five games and sat third on the ladder after Round 8, but injuries to key players have combined to cripple their campaign.
The Tigers currently sit 13th, six points outside the eight leading into Saturday’s blockbuster against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium and need a victory to keep their changes of snapping the league’s longest active finals drought alive.
There is still hope for long-suffering Tigers fans, with Newcastle sitting in a similar position two years ago before going on to finish eighth and Luai has not given up hope of leading his side back to the finals.
“I believe we can,” Luai said when asked about the Tigers finals chances before later expressing his desire to finish his time with the club on a high.
‘[My main focus] is to win games. That’s when everyone enjoys their footy and I’m the same. I’ve got a job to do as a leader and as captain of this club.
“While I’m still here, I’ll put my best foot forward and that’s the way I can show the boys I’m locked in for the rest of the year.”
Luai’s upcoming departure has prompted multiple post-mortems about his time at the Tigers.
The playmaker signed with the club in January 2024 before going on to win a fourth-straight title in his final year at the Panthers.
The Tigers finished that season with a third-straight wooden spoon but Luai’s arrival instantly lifted the squad off the canvas.
The Samoan star’s presence helped the team recruit and retain players, while they finished 13th last season and were a hope of making the finals until a couple of late losses.
Ultimately, however, the Tigers have not reached the highs many fans had hoped and Luai has battled a number of injuries over the past two years.
That has led to some external criticism but Luai remains confident his two-year stint has helped lay the foundation for future success.
“People are quick to point the finger and sometimes quick to forget,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed my time and I’ve grown in a lot of ways that people haven’t seen.
“We’re not getting wooden spoons here anymore so that’s a tick in that box. These last couple of months, I just want to put my best foot forward and have some fun with the lads,” he said…PACNEWS
AUST – RUGBY: AFP PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Depleted Italy make nine changes for Australia Test
PERTH, 17 JULY 2026 (AFP)—Italy made nine changes Thursday to its starting XV for their Nations Championship clash with Australia in Perth at the weekend, where head coach Gonzalo Quesada will be absent after copping a two-Test ban.
It has been a nightmare tour for Italy so far, crashing 27-10 in Tokyo to Japan and 47-17 against the All Blacks at Wellington.
After the New Zealand match, Quesada criticised the referee and World Rugby’s scheduling, which led to his suspension just hours before the team was announced.
They are also without experienced lock Niccolo Cannone who was banned for four games over a headbutt in last week’s defeat.
Adding to their woes, fullback Tommaso Allan (foot) and No.8 Lorenzo Cannone (back) have returned to Italy for further treatment.
But in a boost, Lorenzo Pani has recovered after missing the New Zealand Test to return in the number 15 jersey.
Lyon’s Monty Ioane and Benetton’s Louis Lynagh fill the wings while Juan Ignacio Brex and Paolo Odogwu make their first appearance of the Nations Championship as the centre pairing.
The Garbisi brothers, Paolo and Alessandro, are entrusted with pulling the strings as fly-half and scrum-half respectively.
In the back row, captain Michell Lamaro will be joined by Ross Vintcent and Riccardo Favretto.
Giulio Marini is retained after his debut against the All Blacks, joining the experienced Federico Ruzza in the second row.
Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, and Muhamed Hasa will be in the front row.
Italy have beaten Australia in their past two meetings, most recently at Udine in November when they edged Joe Schmidt’s side 26-19.
Italy (15-1): Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Garbisi; Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro (capt), Riccardo Favretto; Federico Ruzza, Giulio Marini; Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: Pablo Dimcheff, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Andrea Zambonin, Alessandro Ortombina, Alessandro Fusco, Giacomo Da Re, Leonardo Marin…PACNEWS
IRELAND – RUGBY: WORLD RUGBY PACNEWS SPORT: Fri 17 Jul 2026
World Rugby implements new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process
DUBLIN, 17 JULY 2026 (WORLD RUGBY)—Agreed at recent Shape of The Game forum and starting this July, World Rugby has introduced a new Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, featuring across all international rugby fixtures involving World Rugby appointed match officials.
This includes the World Rugby Junior World Championship, WXV Global Series and Challenger, the World Rugby Nations Cup and the Nations Championship – the new elite tournament owned and operated by Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR.
The Match Official Abuse Sanction Process is targeted at reducing comments which often are the basis of the unacceptable increase in abuse and threats towards match officials.
Under the process, an independent panel comprising the independent judicial panel chair and two experienced judicial panel members consider whether any conduct or comments made by team personnel includes among other things, allegations that a match official acted with bias, prejudice, improper motive, external influence, or deliberate intent to affect an outcome and/or conduct which, viewed objectively, they knew or ought to know would undermine public confidence in match officials.
Assessment of comments takes account of a full range of factors including the nature and reach of the comments, the timing, the role of the speaker and any aggravating factors, such as whether the conduct led directly to an increase in personal abuse against a match official. Outcomes range from “no further action” to a guidance letter, formal warning, or automatic sanction under the framework.
The process runs in parallel with existing misconduct provisions under Regulation 18 and recognises World Rugby’s leading social media protection programme for match officials and players which has shown, since 2023, that a large proportion of social media abuse begins with inaccurate comments on refereeing performance from those in positions of authority.
In line with the provisions of the Match Official Abuse Sanction Process, World Rugby can confirm that an automatic two-match suspension has been issued to Gonzalo Quesada (Italy Head Coach), which includes a ban on all match-day activity, including being present in the stadium, as a result of comments made in broadcast, and subsequently reported, following the Nations Championship match against New Zealand on 11 July.
Under the process, Quesada has the right to appeal the sanction to a full judicial committee hearing….PACNEWS
