Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco has warned his team to keep an eye on Australian number eight Radike Samo in Sunday's Pool C opener.

Bergasmaco and Samo - who scored a stunning 60-metre try in the Wallabies' Tri-Nations triumph over the All Blacks in Brisbane last month - were team-mates at Top 14 side Stade Français and the Italian is aware of how dangerous Samo can be when the sides meet at North Harbour Stadium.

"The Wallabies represent the strongest challenge we have had," Bergamasco told AFP.

"I played with Radike Samo in Paris and I know he is really physically strong.

"I was not surprised by Samo's try against the All Blacks as he scored two similar tries with Stade Francais.

"One was in a final and one was during the French Championship and they were exactly the same.

"I know he is really fast, really explosive and strong," added Bergamasco.

He expects the battle at the breakdown to be fierce and said the Wallabies have a formidable loose trio.

"The Australian back row is strong, end of story. All of them are of a very high quality," said Bergamasco.

"They are very hard to play against physically, but that is good as it means you have to raise your level when you play against them.

"We are really excited about this match.

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

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

"We have really concentrated on this match and it is a really big, big game," he added.

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