Italy name team to play the Wallabies at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne
From correspondents in Melbourne
June 18, 2009 Italy have retained former NRL star Craig Gower at fly half in their team to play Australia in the second Test in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Gower is one of only five players who started in the 31-8 loss to the Wallabies in Canberra last Saturday night who have been retained for the Etihad Stadium clash.

Fellow Australian-born back Luke McLean has also kept his position as fullback, while Gower should receive better service from new halfback Tito Tebaldi.

Azzurri coach Nick Mallett said the wholesale changes were a pre-conceived plan before Italy's three-Test trans-Tasman tour began to ensure all 30 players in his squad get some game time before their final match against the All Blacks in Christchurch next week.

Italy will be hoping for an improved showing in Melbourne as they are winless in 2009 – and have never beaten the Wallabies.

Luke McLean; Giulio Rubini, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Alberto Sgarbi; Craig Gower, Tito Tebaldi; Sergio Parisse (captain), Simone Favaro, Jean-Francois Montauriol; Marco Bortolami, Tommaso Reato; Fabio Staibano, Franco Sbaraglini, Matias Aguero. Replacements: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Alessandro Zanni, Giulio Toniolatti, Kris Burton, Roberto Quartaroli.