Overview
- Australia sit seventh with three Tests left before the December 3 draw and must rise at least one place to reach the top band.
- A 25-7 loss to England at Twickenham cost ranking ground on sixth-placed Argentina.
- Italy await in Udine, three years after the Azzurri edged Australia in Florence when debutant Ben Donaldson missed a late conversion.
- Schmidt says a top-six slot is ideal but urges the squad to keep building depth and play without fear.
- No injuries were reported from Twickenham, and Carter Gordon is likely to be recalled as Taniela Tupou acknowledges fatigue despite a prominent shift.