The opener: Sergio Parisse
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Italy secured a four-try 27-10 win over the USA at Trafalgar Park on Tuesday in a result that means Pool C will go right down to the wire on Sunday.
The five-point success sees the Azzurri go level on points with the Wallabies - who play Russia on Saturday - and just three behind Ireland.
It wasn't pretty from the Italians but they will not be losing sleep over that as it was a case of mission accomplished before they go down to Dunedin.
Captain and number eight Sergio Parisse opened the scoring after being handed a lovely offload from lock Cornelius van Zyl while further scores from Luciano Orquera, Martin Castrogiovanni and a penalty try saw them pick up a maximum haul.
The Eagles looked to have been offering stiff competition when Chris Wyles claimed ten points via a try, conversion and penalty inside the first half-hour, but the power of Italy eventually told as the States ended the 2011 Rugby World Cup with a solitary win.
On the back of Parisse's slick score, Tommaso Benvenuti almost got over on the right wing but failed to hang on after good defensive scrambling. And it was then the turn of the Eagles, who levelled after good initial line-breaking work from Paul Emerick seeing Wyles go in for a converted score.
Bergamasco and Wyles traded penalties in the next 10 minutes for the teams to remain locked together. But Orquera sliced through from close range for a 15-10 lead in the 30th minute after some adept mauling and pick-and-go work from his forwards.
Castrogiovanni was held up over the line not long before the break, but the bearded prop wasn't to be denied on the stroke of half-time. He ensured Italy's sustained pressure on the Eagles' line was rewarded by powering over to give his team a ten-point (20-10) half-time lead.
Italy couldn't make their considerable possession and territory advantage count as time slipped away after the break and the pressure mounted for the all-important fourth try.
America's blindside flanker Louis Stanfill was sin-binned for one scrummaging infringement too many, and still the Eagles held firm.
It couldn't last. One scrum too many went down, and referee George Clancy ran under the posts to signal the penalty try in the 66th minute that relieved the tension in Italy's camp.
Man of the match: USA centre Paul Emerick was impressive every time he touched the ball while Sergio Parisse was his usual destructive self. However, for his scrummaging and try-scoring effort we go with Martin Castrogiovanni. His clash with Cian Healy should be epic.
Moment of the match: Italy needed that bonus-point try and when it came on 66 minutes - via a penalty try - one could see the relief all around. Job done, mission accomplished.
Villain of the match: Another clean game at World Cup 2011.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Tries: Parisse, Orquera, Castrogiovanni, Penalty
Con: Bergamasco 2
Pen: Bergamasco
For USA:
Tries: Wyles
Con: Wyles
Pen: Wyles
Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Fabio Semenzato, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Cornelius van Zyl, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Marco Bortolami, 19 Paul Derbyshire, 20 Edoardo Gori, 21 Riccardo Bocchino, 22 Giulio Toniolatti.
USA: 15 Chris Wyles, 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya, 13 Paul Emerick, 12 Andrew Suniula, 11 James Paterson, 10 Roland Suniula, 9 Mike Petri, 8 Nic Johnson, 7 Todd Clever (c), 6 Louis Stanfill, 5 Hayden Smith, 4 John van der Giessen, 3 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 2 Chris Biller, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Shawn Pittman, 18 Scott LaValla, 19 Pat Danahy, 20 Tim Usasz, 21 Nese Malifa, 22 Blaine Scully.
Referee: George Clancy (IRE)
Comments
hougiebear says...
There is a massive difference between Ireland's "upset" against the Australians and this game - Ireland will not go into the game arrogant and show an appalling lack of respect for their opponents. We are not Australia
Ireland know this game will be tough, they have been preparing for it for some time now and they know Italy can beat them. Kidney's selection policy is paramount here, I think we need to target their 10-12 channel and send O'Brien/Ferris down that all evening - I saw this match this morning the Italians will be opened up if the Irish get in behind them even on a half break.
Yes the Italians will target the scrum, but all this balk about how great they are is just that. Ireland cannot dominate them at scrumtime for sure, but we can gain parity with them thus neutralizing one of their main platforms for winning. Our Lineout should be solid with Best darting properly again. The worrisome thing for Ireland is actually our backs, if they have a high amount of handling errors then confidence will drop and you can bet your house on it that Italy will put alot of pressure at scrum time.
Hard to predict this game till the teams come out but on current form and from what I have seen I would say Ireland by 5-8 points.
Posted 12:51 27th September 2011
Carpelone says...
Italy were poor in defence today, they never went forward and allowed the Americans to get some momentum. They may be having something hidden for the game on Sunday.
Posted 12:49 27th September 2011
jamesliveinhope says...
The Irish have never worn the mantle of favourites very well and you only need to look at their 6N record against Italy to see that they don't have many easy games against them either.
This will also be the first Irish game against a team with a pack that can cause them trouble in the set piece.
This group and the English/Scottish/Argentine group are fascinating. You have one team expecting to get a BP win but who's qualification is dependent on the result of a match between two other teams looking for qualification themselves.
Posted 12:21 27th September 2011
leinster_goy says...
really don't see what the fuss is all about. ireland win comfortably (in the end) on sunday. all the hype/anxiety seems to be based on the 13-11 win back in february - of course, ireland played pretty poorly that day and butchered numerous try-scoring opportunities. and it was in rome. on a neutral ground ireland should have more on the day.
Posted 11:44 27th September 2011
johnthebean says...
The Ireland game is like Italy's World Cup Final. Ireland had better be ready...
Posted 11:32 27th September 2011
DaveJ says...
Spirited performance yada yada. Italy were crap today, they were bullied and frustrated by the USA around the park at times and their own performance was nothing to get excited about. They scored due to defensive and scrun errors from the USA which they wont get gifted by Ireland. Can't see Ireland losing on Sunday or I can't even see it being as close as people think, maybe for the first 40 only until the italians run out of passion and tiredness creeps in.
Posted 11:30 27th September 2011
blametheref says...
Regarding the Paddy Wallace debate at 12, his supporters should take note of the way the impressive Paul Emerick for the USA played today at first 13 and then 12...Getting across the gain line while offloading, bursting the first line of defence, holding the ball up when needed, crunch tackling and ball stealing...quite simply, Paddy cannot play this way, which is the requirement of the majority of 12's these days, unless one is supremely talented in some other way which Paddy unfortunately isn't at International level...The answer for Italy to counteract Emerick today would've been to have a centre who can crunch tackle like Downey, but they had no answer. He was my man of the match...
Posted 11:16 27th September 2011
blametheref says...
Well done Italy! Clancy was terrible for both sides....From an Irish perspective after looking at this match the only way Ireland will beat Italy is with a running game, therefore Sexton must start. The USA ran at Italy and caused them huge problems, although they ran from too deep at times which backfired sometimes. Had the USA a scrum they could have won this match, as they did well in the line out and also won a good many turnovers at ruck and maul. This is why I think Shane Jennings should start at 7 with O' Brien at 6, bringing on Ferris to 6 in the last 20minutes when the tired bodies are hurting. Italy also have a nippy fly half who makes a lot of breaks, so Jennings as a true 7 would also cut this line of attack at source. Ireland now have a very tough assignment on their hands and with Parisse in great form and running great lines I really think Ireland will struggle big time if O' Gara starts. Besides a running game and expecting good play from the usual suspects, I believe Sexton and Jennings are the key to an Irish win, with ROG and Ferris coming on to close the deal!
Posted 11:03 27th September 2011
GCP_JONES says...
It was always going to come down to the game on Sunday,Ireland must back themselves not get stuck into a forwards game and run the ball. the Azzurri will look at Irelands victory over the Wallabies, and be of the mindset that if Ireland can upset the odds there, we can certainly rain on Irelands parade.
Our most important match since the grand slam decider against Wales in 09.
Posted 10:42 27th September 2011
hougiebear says...
Please Please Please do not mess this up Ireland
Posted 10:42 27th September 2011
buttalapasta says...
FORZA AZZURRI!!!
Posted 10:35 27th September 2011
Carpelone says...
I am amazed by Alessandro Zanni. He is becoming a truly top players, he turned over 3 or 4 vital balls for Italy. He is not much advertised, but he never lets Italy down. Maybe Italy's Juan Smith?
Posted 10:33 27th September 2011
Carpelone says...
@ 5Lock4ward
So how would you define the effort of the Italians tight five today? Please let us know. Having a bit of an edge, slightly dominant or brutal?
Posted 10:30 27th September 2011
adamk says...
The pool decider will be epic, no doubt. Hope Ireland have their game switched on...
Posted 10:21 27th September 2011
curates_egg says...
Italy go where Ireland couldn't and get the bonus against a good US team. If Italy wins against Ireland, it goes through. Biggest game in the history of Italian rugby?
Posted 10:17 27th September 2011
Carpelone says...
George Clancy is the Villain of the Match. He should award the penalty try well before if not two. He also allowed the tackled player to run again without releasing the ball, this was where the USA's points came from.
Italy should play more with their backs, not always matches can be won by the tight-five.
Although Ireland have still some edge, we will have a cracker of a match at breakfast on Sunday. The pressure is on Ireland now, they could be the first team to be sent back packing by Italy. In some way, it could also a honour.
Posted 10:16 27th September 2011
Lucasrg says...
Villain of the match: George Clancy
What a terrible day for the ref...the first try for Italy was a forward pass. the some very questionable calls at scrums, an absurde TMO on the Benvenuti clear knock on...come on.
Anyways, good performance by the USA that show how tought they are...Emerick was indeed on fire.
Zanni was huge in my opinion. excellent body position at the racks.
If there is something I am very worry , is the midfield, with Garcia playing pretty poor.
With BOD and D'Arcy it will be a different story and in my opinion that is where Irland is stronger by a mile. Italy has to try something different there.
The pressure now is high and it will be an epic game.
and yes PR Castro-Healy....MAMMA MIA!
Posted 10:15 27th September 2011
melkdave says...
Well done Italy set up the showdown with Ireland and also the USA played hard tackled like crazy and made a match of it .Very good to watch and nice to see the Italain backs with ball lol
Posted 09:45 27th September 2011
libeccio says...
and now is the moment to think about what we are looking for in the last months.....
...it wil not easy and nothing has done yet, but we did what we had to do......go in Dunedin and try to make the history.Bravi ragazzi, Forza Azzurri
Posted 09:34 27th September 2011