Bergamasco ready for Wallabies

Mauro Bergamasco knows what to expect when Italy kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign against Australia at Auckland's North Harbour Stadium on Sunday, 11 September.

The flanker played alongside Australia number 8 Radike Samo at French club Stade Francais throughout the 2006-2007 season.

And watching Samo announce his return to international rugby at the age of 35 by racing 60 metres to score a crucial try in the Wallabies' 25-20 win over New Zealand that secured their first Tri Nations title since 2001 came as no shock to the Italian.

''I wasn't surprised by that try at all because he scored two like that while playing in Paris," Bergamasco said.

''One was in a final and another was during the championship and they were the same. We know he is really fast and explosive."

Bergamasco will earn his 86th cap if he starts Sunday's game - and he will have earned his money by the end of it. His ominous task will be to stop half backs Will Genia and Quade Cooper masterminding Australia's attack in the Pool C game.

Stick together
"These two players are really fast and they can trouble any defence," Bergamasco said.

"The important thing we have to do is stick together in defence.

''We have to worry about how we are playing and defending as a team."

The last time the two countries met was in Florence in November 2010 when the Wallabies won 32-14.

Bergamasco was missing with a knee injury and later in the season sat out the Six Nations campaign after damaging his shoulder.

Now back to full fitness, he is ready to get Italy off to a flying start.

"We have to go into the match in a positive mindset," Bergamasco said. "Any point we can take from the match will be a bonus.

"We have been waiting for this moment for the last few months, so have worked really hard."