A BATTLING Italy forced Australia to work hard to secure victory at the Flaminio Stadium in Rome yesterday, with the Italians left to rue Ramiro Pez, who kicked all of their points, missing two relatively easy penalties.

Mat Rogers, Guy Shepherdson and Stirling Mortlock scored a try apiece for the visitors, while Mortlock contributed another 10 points with his kicking.

Australia were reduced to 14 men in the second minute when hooker Brendan Cannon was yellow-carded for throwing a punch at Gonzalo Canale. Argentina-born Pez missed the resulting penalty but was more accurate with another kick three minutes later to give the home side an early lead.

Italy exploited more Australian indiscipline with two successful penalties in quick succession to put the Azzurri 9-0 ahead after 16 minutes.

Mortlock's penalty put Australia on the board only for Pez to match his feat as the Italians pulled clear.

Australia regained their composure and sliced open the home defence for the game's first try in the 28th minute. A superbly-timed pass from Mortlock slipped Rogers through and he sprinted clear to touch down for his 14th test try. Mortlock converted before drilling another penalty as Australia stormed in front.

The home crowd were in raptures just before half time when a Pez penalty from an acute angle sailed between the posts to regain the lead for Italy.

Italy's joy was short-lived, however, with the visitors scoring their second try shortly after the break when Shepherson bundled over his first test try following a fumble at the line-out by Alessandro Zanni. Mortlock ensured the extra two points to put Australia 20-15 ahead.

Pez skewed another penalty before finding his range moments later only for Italy to wilt in the closing stages.

A robust run from Wycliff Paul took him through a series of tackles before offloading to Mortlock, and he squeezed over the line for Australia's third and decisive try.