A Game to treasure
The last of the five tests played out on 30 September proved to be the game of the day. It was on a knife edge till the 89th minute. But the Sakura made a telling point by defeating the home-team in the tightest of games.
The Azzurre started on top, Beatrice Capomaggi making a lovely break; the hosts laid siege in the opposing 22, Vittoria Vecchini finished the job as she drove off the back of a rolling maul for a try converted by Capomaggi.
From there the Sakura got on top, their game once more characterised by quick, purposeful movement of the ball. Komachi Imakugi opened their tally, profiing from a delightful grubber over the line by No 6 Sakurako Korai.
Next the right-winger, Kotono Yasuo, put them in the lead. (7-10) To call the Sakura efficient might sound uncomplimentary, but they moved the ball from the left edge to the right with exemplary handling, recycling quickly. This allowed Yasuo all the freedom she needed to canter over.
After half-an-hour No 8 Ayano Nagaii widened the margin with a third try, and Italy’s prospects looked dim. This was due in part to a yellow card for Francesca Granzotto, awarded by Aurélie Groizeleau. No self-respecting game is complete without one, it would seem.
Even worse, the Japanese had time to add a fourth try through lock Otoka Yoshimura. With a conversion by Minori Yamamoto, Italy were looking down a half-time barrel.
Score: 7-22
Fortunately for the game, the home team and their supporters, the Azzurre found their feet after the break.
A crucial event happened in the 48th minute when the pack at last caused their opponents to crumble. They opted for a second chance, and now the ball spread down the line for Granzotto to redeem her yellow with a try by the posts.
Italy were now building threatening moves; Sofia Stefan made an important half-break, and Japanese defences were being tested. Vecchini was on hand to complete her second try and give her team renewed hope.
On 56 minutes the score read 19-22, the conversion hit a post and stayed out!
Ten minutes later came a moment that proved significant. Japan were awarded a penalty and Ayasa Otsuka was asked to do the necessary from 35 metres out. That made it 19-25.
Veronica Madia, on as a replacement, remenber, now made a splendid half-break to feed the ever willing Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi. She strode over to narrow the gap to a single point.
A full ten minutes remained to decide the issue. But to the Sakura’s great credit, they held out to win a memorable game by a single point.
We wait till Friday 13 October for a repeat offering in Stellenbsoch. Will the day be unlucky for one of the sides, or will it be a 40-point draw?
Result: Italy 24 Japan 25
Player of the Match: Alissa Ranuccini
Teams
Italy
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Alyssa D’Inca, 12 Beatrice Capomaggi, 11 Francesca Granzotto, 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan (captain), 1 Gaia Maris, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Sara Seye, 4 Alessandra Frangipani, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 *Giulia Cavina, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Isabella Locatelli
Bench: 16 Silvia Turani, 17 Emanuela Stecca, 18 Alessia Pilani, 19 Laura Gurioli, 20 Valeria Fedrighi, 21 Veronica Madia, 22 *Sofia Rolfi, 23 *Gaia Buso
*uncapped
Japan
1 Hinata Komaki, 2 Asuka Kuge 3 Yuka Sadaka 4 Masami Kawamura 5 Otoka Yoshimura 6 Sakurako Korai 7 Iroha Nagata 8 Ayano Nagaii 9 Moe Tsukui 10 Minori Yamamoto 11 Komachi Imakugi 12 Haruka Hirotsu 13 Mana Furuta 14 Kotono Yasuo 15 Sora Nishimura
Bench: 16 Sachiko Kato 17 Kotomi Kaniguchi 18 Nijiho Nagata 19 Jennifer Nduka 20 Mei Yoshimoto 21 Megumi Abe 22 Ayasa Otsuka 23 Kanaka Kobayashi
Officials:
Referee: Aurélie Groizeleau (FFR)
ARs: Doriane Domenjo (FFR) and Melissa Leboeuf (FFR) TMO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)
Afterthoughts
Giovanni Raineri had his eyes firmly on the trip to South Africa. He introduced three debutants, of whom Giulia Cavina, captain of CUS Milano, started. The other two, Sofia Rolfi and Gaia Buso, both come from Colormo. At the other end of the experience scale Sofia Stefan was celebrating her 80th cap.
It was an encouraging sign that 18 of the 22 players play for clubs in the top Italian league. At the same time the absence of familiar names was striking; no Beatrice Rigone or Giada Franco for example.
Raineri would announce his WXV 30 the next day.
