Quade Cooper returned to his best and Israel Folau was almost untouchable as the Wallabies survived an early Italian scare before enjoying a 50-20 demolition job at Stadio Olympico.
Under immense pressure following their 20-13 loss to England, Australia’s forward pack largely repelled the strong Italian scrum to set to platform for the seven-tries to-three victory in Turin.
Winger Nick Cummins crossed twice and was awarded the man-of-the-match award, but it was Folau and Cooper who shone brightest.
Cooper set up three of the seven tries – including a bamboozling effort for Cummins’ second – before he was given an early rest on the hour mark after sending Adam Ashley-Cooper over for a 33-10 lead.
Folau, who laid the groundwork for two first-half tries as the Italians struggled to handle his loping stride, iced his brilliant display with the Wallabies’ last five-pointer.
The second-half frenzy was in stark contrast to an early 10-point deficit, that had Australia staring at the bleak prospect of a ninth loss from 12 Tests this year and a possible fall from No.4 to seven on the world rankings.
But a three-try blitz in 19 minutes, inspired by Folau’s exploits out wide, had the Wallabies in control after half an hour and they never relented.
Italy’s fast line speed in defence put pressure on Australia’s attack, but Cooper was back to some of his razzle-dazzle best.
In-form flanker Michael Hooper again made plenty of yards with each touch while the Azzurri pack couldn’t live up to their threats of tearing apart the tourists’ scrum as most set-pieces finished with penalties.
The Wallabies were shellshocked early to be down 10-0 after 12 minutes.
Another Will Genia box-kick gone wrong handed possession to the Azzurri near their 22 and quick passes wide exploited an overlap for a 70m counterattack, which Townsville-born fullback Luke McLean finished in a scintillating start to his 50th Test.
But the Wallabies hit back almost immediately with Folau breaking the line and then Cooper popping a smart pass for Ben Mowen to score his first Test try.
Folau again laid the platform five minutes later as he put Nick Cummins away down the sideline with a one-armed off-load before the winger popped a pass in the tackle for Tevita Kuridani to dive over.
Cummins had a try of his own in the 31st minute when Australia’s plans to exploit the short side came up trumps with a perfect Genia cut-out pass.
The Wallabies were lucky to hold their 19-10 lead going into halftime as Italian five-eighth Alberto di Bernarardo missed two kickable penalties.
Replacement winger Joe Tomane scored off his first touch of the ball during the second-half rout and then set up Folau’s try with his second.
Not to be denied, the home side fought to the end and barged over for two tries after the break.
