FUKUOKA, 26 Sep – Italy did exactly what was required against Canada by running in seven tries at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, winning 48-7 to register the biggest margin of victory to date at Rugby World Cup 2019.
Italy also scored seven tries in their first match, against Namibia, and sit top of Pool B with maximum points as they prepare for a much sterner test in their third game, against South Africa on Friday 4 October.
Head coach Conor O’Shea was so delighted he promptly promised the players a night out. “I am happy with how we played,” he said. “I’m giving them the night off because I’m old school.”
Tries from number eight Braam Steyn and captain-for-the-day Dean Budd put them on target by half-time and a Sebastian Negri score and penalty try ensured they completed the job before the hour.
Mattia Bellini, Federico Zani and Matteo Minozzi then added a flourish, while Andrew Cole gave Canada fans something to cheer with a breakaway try in the corner.
Italy did not wait to start spreading the ball wide, and scrum-half Callum Braley had an early try ruled out after Canada full-back Patrick Parfrey beat him to the ball in the in-goal area.
Soon after, fly-half Tommaso Allan kicked the first points of the match, and Steyn then scored the first try when he picked up from the back of the scrum and sent Canada fly-half Patrick Nelson flying on his way to the line.
Italy’s dominance continued and Budd raced through a gap, but when Canada broke Italian lines they were less clinical and reserve Matt Heaton knocked forward with the line beckoning. It summed up their profligacy in the early stages that also featured missed tackles, a failure to protect the ball and an inability to capitalise when chances came their way.
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