Filed under: Rugby Union, Six Nations, Internationals, Wales Rugby
James Hook's late drop goal confirmed a hard-fought win for Wales who were forced to withstand sustained second half pressure from Italy to secure victory.Warren Gatland's side were in control after establishing a 21-11 half time lead but were second best after the break and the final outcome may well have been different had Italy been more ruthless with their kicking.
Mirco Bergamasco failed to convert either of his side's two tries and missed two other penalties with replacement Luciano Orquera also firing wide with a penalty.
That meant the visitors were ahead for all but four minutes of the contest and the Welsh forwards ultimately matched their Italian counterparts, producing an excellent defensive scrum shortly before Hook's drop goal at a time when a converted try would have brought the home side level.
The win brought a second successive victory for Wales, who last time out ended an eight game winless streak over Scotland while Italy restored pride after their mauling at the hands of England at Twickenham.
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Recalled fly-half Stephen Jones put Wales ahead with a third minute penalty but a misplaced pass by Bradley Davies allowed Gonzalo Canale to score the game's opening try two minutes later.
Wales responded superbly with Morgan Stoddart going over in the ninth minute after good work from James Hook and Lee Byrne.
Jones failed to convert and Bergamasco quickly levelled the scores with a penalty before a superb break, started when Shane Williams collected an Italian kick in his own half and again involving Hook and Byrne was finished under the posts by Sam Warburton.
Italy were convinced they should have reduced the deficit when Alessandro Zanni went over only for the video referee to adjudge that Stoddart's tackle had prevented the Italian from grounding the ball.
Wales then experienced similar frustration when Byrne's effort was ruled out for a forward pass in the 34th minute.
Italy started the second period the stronger and capitalised on another Welsh mistake when Williams' poor pass was ultimately punished by home captain Sergio Parisse.
The Italians then took control, dominating possession but Wales stood firm before a rare break into the home half culminated with Hook's drop goal.
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REACTION:
Wales captain Matthew Rees told the BBC things got tough for his side in the second half but praised the team's defensive efforts:
"In the first half we wanted to get as many points on the board as we possibly could. We always knew it would be tough in the second half to play into the wind.
"I thought the defence was great again. We gave them one soft try early on and then kept them out of the game."
On the late scrum in front of the Wales posts:
"The scrum wasn't the best today but we held out there when we needed to and that won us the game ultimately."
Responding to the suggestion that Wales could still be Six Nations champions:
"Yes, definitely. The last two games have been on the road and two wins have been great for us and now we're looking forward to a home game against Ireland.
"We've got a tough game to finish out in France but hopefully we can get another win under our belt before the last game."
Italy head coach Nick Mallett conceded Bergamasco's failure with the boot proved costly:
"We played against Fiji and he scored eight out of eight so when he was on song he won us that game. Unfortunately today he wasn't in the groove. We are never going to beat a team by 20 points so every point is important to us and losing nine from penalties punishes us a lot."
On the performance:
"We were a bit slow out of the blocks. Wales scored two good tries early on so we were behind all the way then, The wind did make a difference and we pinned them down in the second half. We had some good chances but it was a much better performance than against England. It was difficult to lose like that but we are back playing competitive rugby."
WHAT IT MEANS:
It was important Wales built on the victory over Scotland and while Rees' contention that his side could eventually be top the table sounds decidedly optimistic, confidence has undoubtedly been lifted. Italy quickly moved on from the embarrassing defeat at Twickenham and showed they are a force to be reckoned with at home.
MOVE OF THE MATCH:
Fabio Semenzato's kick may have been slightly misjudged but Shane Williams' composed break and pass to Lee Byrne was excellently timed and the speed with which the ball then moved through James Hook and to Sam Warburton carved open the Italy defence for Wales' second try.
Italy (11) 16
Tries: Canale, Parisse
Cons:
Pens: Mi Bergamasco 2
Wales (21) 24
Tries: Stoddart, Warburton
Cons: S Jones
Pens: S Jones 3
Drop: Hook
PLAYER MARKING:
Italy: McLean 6, Masi 6 (Benvenuti 6,74), Canale 7, Sgarbi 6, Mi Bergamasco 6, Burton 6 (Orquera 6, 65), Semenzato 8 (Canavosio 71); Perugini 6 (Lo Cicero 6), Ghiraldini 6, Castrogiovanni 8 (Perugini 71), Dellape 6 (Bernabo 6,52), Geldenhuys 6, Zanni 6, Barbieri 6 (Vosawai 6,72), Parisse 8.
Replacements not used: Festuccia.
Wales: Byrne 7, Stoddart 8, Hook 8, Roberts 6, Williams 7, S Jones 7, Phillips 6; James 6, Rees 6 (Hibbard 6,78), Mitchell 6, Davies 6, Wyn Jones 6, Lydiate 6, Warburton 9, R Jones 7.
Replacements not used: Yapp, Thomas, Turnbull, Knoyle, Priestland, Halfpenny.
REFEREE: Wayne Barnes (Ireland)
ATTENDANCE: 32,000
NEXT UP:
- Italy v France (Stadio Flaminio), Six Nations, 12/03, 1430 GMT
- Wales v Ireland (Millennium Stadium), Six Nations, 12/03, 1700 GMT
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Sam Warburton (Wales): The flanker showed an impressive turn of pace to claim his first international try and worked tirelessly to deny Italy when his side were under the cosh in the second half.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/02/26/italy-16-wales-24-warren-gatlands-side-hold-on-for-second-six/
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