Italy vs Canada
World Cup
8:45am Thursday 26th September
Italy maintained a bonus-point??48-7 win over Canada in their Rugby World Cup Pool B struggle in Fukuoka on Thursday.
Italy made a far better screen to beat Canada and set up an intriguing clash, after beating Namibia 47-22 within an inconsistent performance.
If they would like to advance to the quarter-finals with the Springboks and New Zealand in addition Italy need a win, and also their campaign against Canada will fill them.
Tries from No 8 Braam Steyn and lock Dean Budd – stand-in captain for Sergio Parisse – two conversions and a penalty from Tommaso Allan gave the Azzurri a strong lead at the break.
Flanker Sebastian Negri went early in the second half and Italy got their fourth with a penalty attempt after Canada’s Matt Heaton was sin-binned for bringing down a driving maul yards out.
Canada never gave up and scored a try that was fantastic through Andrew Coe but further tries from Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi gave a win to Italy.
Their forward who steamrolled through Canada in the energy-sapping humidity in the Hakatanomori Stadium of Fukuoka constructed the dominance of italy.
Italy have 10 points but nevertheless will need to manage the All Blacks and Springboks, who are expected to be eligible for the quarter-finals.
Even the Italians, who rested several players, have been in no mood to permit a shock within the area of 24 hours and have been directed by rampaging forward Jake Steyn Polledri and Sebastian Negri.
Budd and steyn exploited some defence to provide their side a 17-0 lead by the 13th minute.
Facing a rout, the Canadians started to find some ownership that allowed them to control field position, however and began to create their tackles, butchered chances to get on the scoreboard.
Negri extended Italy’s lead when he blasted over from close range before Canada again failed to capitalise on a chance when DTH van der Merwe made space through the midfield and was able to put Jeff Hassler clear just for Minozzi to produce a try-saving handle on the winger less than 5 metres from the line.
Referee Nigel Owens then awarded a penalty try that ensured the bonus point to get the Italians before substitute winger Bellini also crossed with about 20 minutes.
Owens created some controversy after he awarded an attempt to Ardron only for the television game Rowan Kitt to rule out it before the ball landed at the hands of the No 8.
The choice was met by a chorus of boos when the underdogs scored the try of the game by winger Andrew Coe, but the crowd, now firmly supporting the Canadians, climbed to their feet minutes later.
Italy finished strongly, with all replacement hooker Zani shunted over from a maul before Bellini put Minozzi into close out the scoring.
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