Italrugby, first success in pre-World Cup tests

Italy-Romania 57-7

After defeats against Scotland and Ireland, Italrugby’s first success in the preparation matches for the World Cup in France arrived in San Benedetto del Tronto: the Azzurri led by coach Kieran Crowley beat Romania, a rival from another era but currently rather distant in terms of international prestige, without great difficulty.

The match was dominated from start to finish for the Azzurri, who were able to make the most of the long numerical superiority due to the expulsion, in the 9th minute, of Motoc: among the nine goals scored, significant was that of Paolo Odogwu, at his first mark with the national team jersey, and the two of Ange Capuozzo, back after the physical problems that had prevented him from completing the Six Nations.

Also scoring for the Azzurri were Monty Ioane, Alessandro Garbisi, Giacomo Nicotera, Nacho Brex, Dino Lamb and Toa Halafihi. Six of the nine goals were converted by Paolo Garbisi. For Romania, the only scoring was a penalty goal awarded in the final half (for which Michele Lamaro was punished with a yellow card and 10′ on the bench).

Crowley’s team will play one last test before the Rugby World Cup, Saturday 26 in Treviso against Japan. Then it’s time for the World Cup, where Italy is placed in a difficult group that includes New Zealand, France, Uruguay and Namibia.