Pack power lifts Italy to win over US
Pack power helped Italy overcome a determined effort by the United
States to claim a 27-10 bonus-point victory on Tuesday, putting them in
reach of their first appearance in the rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
The victory moved Italy onto 10 points in Pool C, level with
Australia and three behind leaders Ireland, who they meet in a pivotal
clash in Dunedin on Sunday.
Captain Sergio Parisse, flyhalf Luciano Orquera and prop Martin
Castrogiovanni scored tries as the Italian pack proved far too strong
for their weary opponents, who conceded the all-important penalty try 14
minutes from time.
“The United States gave us a lot of hard work but now we are looking
forward to the match against Ireland with a lot of confidence.”
The Italians were quick out of the blocks and a big score looked
likely after a clever pop pass from lock Cornelius van Zyl set Parisse
clear to score under the posts after just three minutes.
The Americans were not downhearted by their sloppy start and drew
level 10 minutes later when powerful centre Paul Emerick cut through
some slack Italian defending before offloading for fullback Chris Wyles
to cross for an easy try.
Wyles converted his try and then he and Italian winger Mirco
Bergamasco traded penalties as the fired-up Americans, who were hammered
67-5 by Australia on Friday, threatened to take an unlikely lead.
However, the Italian scrum was too strong for their opponents and
they forced the determined American side to defend for long periods.
The pressure told when Italy grabbed their second try through Orquera
after 30 minutes. As the U.S. defence sprinted out, the flyhalf stole in
behind to cross for a score.
Italian muscle was beginning to tell and after being denied by the
television match official minutes earlier, tighthead prop Castrogiovanni
bulldozed over from close range to stretch the lead to 20-10 just before
halftime.
Play raged from end to end at the start of the second half before
American flanker Louis Stanfill was shown a yellow card after numerous
scrum infringements close to their line.
Parisse rejected the chance to kick at goal and continually opted for
the scrum in a tedious spell and despite their obvious advantage the
Italians fluffed several chances to score. New Zealand Reuters |
