The China Mail - Australia beat Italy 57-10 to end Schmidt era with win

The home side ran in nine tries to two in front of 19,268 fans at Perth's HBF Park, with lock Josh Canham bagging a hat-trick.

Schmidt will now hand over to Les Kiss, ending an underwhelming stint where he won 12 of his 31 Tests in charge since assuming control from Eddie Jones.

The victory did ensure the New Zealander avoided the ignominy of finishing with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.

It gave Australia their first win of the Nations Championship and ended a prolonged form slump, where they had lost nine of their past 10 Tests.

After costly fade-outs against Ireland and France, the Wallabies' red-hot start ensured their second-half frailties were not really put to the test.

A rampaging Australian forward pack outmuscled Italy, scoring six tries in a one-sided first-half to lead 38-5 at the interval.

The injury-ravaged Italians succumbed to their third straight defeat in the competition, having previously been beaten by Japan and New Zealand.

Their task was made harder without head coach Gonzalo Quesada, who was suspended for the match for criticising the referee and Nations Championship scheduling following the heavy loss to the All Blacks.

But Italy had entered with confidence having beaten the Wallabies in consecutive matches, including a 26-19 triumph in Udine late last year.

They were immediately on the defensive with a pumped-up Wallabies opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Canham barrelled over the line.

The Wallabies' knack of starting matches quickly was again on show as Tom Wright weaved through a tentative Italian defensive line to dot down.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa got on the end of a patient move as the Wallabies stormed to a 19-0 lead.

A rare foray into attack proved fruitful for Italy in the 20th minute when captain Michele Lamaro scored in the left corner.

The Wallabies regained control with Canham scoring twice before Angus Bell and Len Ikitau put the finishing touches on a dominant opening half.

The Wallabies came out of the blocks sluggishly with Monty Ioane dashing over the line to restore hope for Italy.

Canham stormed over the line in the 52nd minute to complete his hat-trick and Italy's wretched night continued when substitute Marco Riccioni was red carded for getting involved from the bench in a melee that spilled over the touchline.

G.Tsang--ThChM