Australia’s lack of forwards remains a problem but the departing coach raised the ceiling with some big scalps
Australia ended the Joe Schmidt era like a struggling restaurant producing one of its finest meals on the night the head chef handed back his keys. Everything came together: the service was sharp, the ingredients were handled with care, but loyal patrons left wondering why the place could not function like this every week.
Italy were swept aside 57-10 in Perth. Josh Canham completed a hat-trick as the home side delivered the sort of precise, powerful performance that offered a tribute to their departing coach and a reminder of why his spell has been so difficult to judge.