The countdown is on for a historic rugby clash in Perth, and the perfect ambassador has stepped forward. Wallabies flanker Carlo Tizzano, born in Australia to Italian parents, is helping mark 100 days until the Wallabies host Italy on July 18. This match is a highlight of the new global Nations Championship and marks Italy's first appearance on Australian soil in nine years.

For Tizzano, the fixture is deeply personal. Having turned down previous approaches to play for Italy, he made his test debut for Australia in 2024. Reflecting on his decision, he remarked, "Lucky I didn’t pull the trigger," after being contacted by Italy back in 2018. Now playing for the Perth-based Western Force, he'll be on familiar turf for this monumental game.

The Azzurri arrive with newfound confidence against the Wallabies. After going winless in their first 20 meetings, Italy has now won two of the last three contests. Their most recent victory, a 26-19 comeback in Udine last November, was powered by players with strong Australian ties—Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane—proving their 2022 breakthrough was no fluke.

This July's match is more than just a test; it's a key part of the inaugural Nations Championship, a thrilling new format pitting six top Southern Hemisphere nations against six from the North, culminating in a finals weekend in London. For fans in Perth and watching worldwide, it promises a fierce battle where heritage, history, and high stakes collide on the pitch.