The Wallabies have vowed to fight fire with fire in Saturday's Test showdown with Italy in Padova.

In front of a sellout crowd of 35,000 fans at Stadio Euganio, the Australians are bracing themselves for a torrid encounter with an Italian team boasting one of the most rugged and experienced forward packs in world rugby.

But skipper Stirling Mortlock says the Wallabies won't be taking any backward steps as they look to preserve their unbeaten Test record against the Azzurri.

"It's pretty important for the group to show our intention early in the match," Mortlock said after Friday's captain's run.

"We're preparing for a very tough, physical battle and it's important that we're ready for that battle."

Mortlock and lock Mark Chisholm are the only two players who started in Australia's most recent Test against Italy - when the Wallabies escaped with a 25-18 victory in Rome two years ago - in the run-on side again on Saturday.

"It was a very physical game," Chisholm recalled.

"The crowd really got behind the Italians and pumped them up and we just scraped through.

"The Italians pride themselves on their scrummaging and mauling. Their forwards are big and very technical. Our focus this week has been combating that mentally and physically.

"We've really got to be on the front foot and match them if we're going to get anywhere in this game."

Halfback Luke Burgess, one of several Wallabies playing his first Test against the Azzurri, said it was vital the tourists played their natural game and took the match to Italy from the outset.

"Keeping the speed of our play up, keeping the ball moving, keep staying on the front foot with our attack. That's the plan," Burgess said.

"Basically, keeping things simple and playing direct and combative football."

Mortlock bristled when asked how difficult it would be for the Wallabies to "get up" for a Test they were expected to win comfortably.

"Very easily," he said. "It's a Test match. We're representing our country. We take a huge honour and pride in wearing our green and gold jersey.

"We had an outstanding jersey presentation to ram home how important and how lucky we are to play for this team, this group.

"You never ever devalue a Test match and the preparation this week has been positive and we're giving the opposition the due respect they deserve."

With Matt Giteau to start on the bench, Mortlock will assume goalkicking duties for the Wallabies, his last kick in Test rugby being the failed penalty attempt that denied Australia victory over England in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final in Marseille.

"It's been a while," Mortlock said.

"I had a bit of an impromptu kick-off with (five-eighth) Berrick Barnes yesterday. Unfortunately, the old dog took the money so Berrick will have to wait a little bit longer before he gets an opportunity to kick.

"So, yeah, I'm looking forward to that. I always enjoy kicking, so it will be a bit of fun."

The match kicks off at 1am Sunday AEDT.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Digby Ioane, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Timana Tahu, Lachie Turner, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, Phil Waugh, Dean Mumm, Hugh McMeniman, Mark Chisholm, Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Quade Cooper, Matt Giteau, James O'Connor.

Italy: Andrea Masi, Kaine Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco, Andrea Marcato, Pablo Canavosio, Sergio Parisee, (capt), Mauro Bergamasco, Josh Sole, Marco Bortolami, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Carlos Nieto, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini. Reserves: Fabio Ongaro, Matias Aguero, Tommaso Reato, Alessandro Zanni, Giulio Toniolatti, Luciano Orquera, Matteo Pratichetti.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP