The kick off is cleaned up after a little bounce around and after an exchange of kicks, Italy go long and in goal. A long 22 leads to a further exhange, both sides just testing the other out here.

TRY for O'Connor The 18 year-old on his first start finishes a neat try. Giteau releases Turner into space, who cuts through the Italian line and unselfishly gives the easy pass to O'Connor for a simple finish. Very well taken try by the Australians, but too easy and we could looking at a high score if the Italian defence performs like that.

McLean finds touch in Australian territory, but they clear very neatly and push the Italians back, and regain possession from a poor Italian box kick.

Nice swinging passage of play, as Italy first take the ball up and then the Autralians counter, and eventually find deep territory with a kick over the Italian defence. On a more worrying note, Turner clashes horribly with Bergomasco as they both go for the ball, and hasn't moved for two minutes now. We'll have a delay now as he is treated, but good to see he has now managed to sit up.

Spectacular kick from Giteau, who drives a booming flat ball from his own half, on the run, to within ten metres of the Italian line. Danger here for the Azurri, but they secure ball cleanly and a long box kick is knocked on by Mitchell to take them up field with possession.

After a bit of backwards and forwards, Mitchell decides to upstage Giteau with an even longer kick downfield on the run, this time to within five of the Italian line.

Gower tries to release the inside man on the crash ball, but the Aussie defence is solid, and that man George Smith forces a concession of a penalty. Italy attacking from far too deep to threaten breaking the Aussie defence.

No sooner have I said that, than the Italians almost undo themselves; Canavasio and Gower again not working in harmony, spilling the ball forward and almost giving Australia the chance to break through. The Italian defence scrambles and can only concede a 5 metre scrum. Pressure here.

Again, from a deep, unthreatening position, Giteau sees masses of space behind the Italian right flank and drives a low kick into touch in the Italian 22. This will be crushing for the Italian forwards, who are consistently having to track back to defend set pieces near their line.

TRY There we go. Giteau takes the ball at pace and slices between the two Italian centres. O'Connor is on his shoulder from fullback as Giteau gets his hands around the defender and offloads for another simple finish. Great day this is turning into for the teenager.

Yet again, when Australia have possession in the middle of the field, they are able to secure good territory with kicks deep into the Italian right corner.

That's better from the Italians, as the scrum half Canavasio breaks and runs the ball into the Australian 22 for the first time. He commits defenders well, but the Aussie cover defence scrambles Bergomasco into touch.

And the forwards do work through several phases of attack, always making the gain line. This is where the Italians have some advantage over their opponents and look much more threatening in the close driving game. Eventually, they force a penalty for Aussie hands in the ruck.

Great drive from the Australian pack, who shove Italy back and force them to scramble scrappy possession. However, the Aussies give away a penalty and give Italy the chance for three points. McLean duly converts it and they go into the break within two converted scores behind.

The Italians have got themselves on the scoreboard right at the end of that half, but really it has been Australia all the way and they look very comfortable. Perhaps they should have scored more.

Italy will need to keep the ball tight, retain possession and try to gain advantage in a rucking and mauling game, because if Australia continue to impose their shape on this game they will romp home comfortably.

Much more positive from the tourists, as they make their second genuine break of the game and once near the line use their forwards to take the ball up and bring in Australian defenders

Much more even contest this, as the Italians look much more involved but the Australians try to come back at them using the pick-and-drive.

TRY Mortlock is not to be denied. They back across the field the other way from the lineout and Mortlock takes the ball, cutting back in on the angle. He bursts two tackles before crashing over the line. Sheer physicality and determination took him through there.

McLean gains the Italians some territory with a long kick and we enter into a passage of play of return kicking.

Interception. Tebaldi seizes on a loose pass and carries the ball upfield, however, he runs out of options and panics and slings the ball away aimlessly. Italy regain the ball but should have done more with that opportunity.

HATRICK TRY Third try for O'Connor, and this time he had to do a little bit more to finish, taking a step to evade Parisse and then dive low under a tackle. However, that try was made by some incisive running from the whole Australian back line. Mortlock crashing through the middle and getting behind the Italian line, getting ball back quickly. There were at least three other Australians to break tackles and move the ball on quickly, including the hooker Moore.

Italy attack through their forwards again. It is the area they do look to have superiority, but it is slow and laboured compared to the Australian attacking rugby and unless they had been able to dominate the game with it, will not be enough.

Especially when they come off worse in the kicking game so consistently. Barnes, slipping into the fullback position, sees acres of space and places a kick to roll into touch halfway into the Italian 22.

Italy manage to string together some more coherent attacking phases, the flyhalf Gower gets his hands on the ball three times, with time and space to pass for about the first time all afternoon. The Aussies seem to be handling it ok, but it's important for the Italians that they play some proper rugby.

The attack looks threatening, but George Smith tries to offload in the tackle in too much contact and knocks on. The Italians pick up and clear upfield but the Australian back 3 are there to cover in numbers and clear.

Some concerted pressure by the Italians, as Australia are forced to collapse a maul. The Italians continue to play to their strengths by electing to take the scrummage and win another penalty, as the Australians are again forced to collapse.

Neither side can make much of their possession, which is all middle of the field. Gower receives the ball from the back of the ruck and decides that enough is enough and opts to kick into touch and finish the game, rather than attempt one last dip at the Aussie line from deep. Towards the end it looked like both sides were finsing it a bit difficult to find any rhythm to play their game and with the result certain it meandered a bit.

Having said that, it was an impressive and effective performance by the Aussies, who dominated an Italian side that were unable to impose themselves and play to their strengths. Italy were good in parts, particularly up front, but the Aussies had too much quality across the field, particularly through Giteau, Barnes, Mortlock and O'Connor.

Both sides are now off to Melbourne, with a week to prepare for the second Test. I hope you can join me, Jamie Allaway, for that one and thanks for following the game today with Scrum.com.