Italy v Wales
Cape Town
These two sides were the tail-end Charlottes of the Six Nations. Games between them tend to be close and low-scoring.
This one was close, low-scoring and tense beyond measure.
Let me transport you first to the closing stages. Italy had been in the lead since early in the second half, 8-5.
It is still desperately tight on 70 minutes. Wales build some nice moves but can’t make the decisive break. Lleucu George resorts again to the long kick. Sofia Stefan keeps looking to attack; Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi is a constant danger. The referee makes a good call as she penalises Kayleigh Powell for jumping to avoid a tackle. Is that something she learned with GB Sevens?
Wales get on top, drive a scrum, win the penalty, spread the ball and attack. Keira Bevan makes a half-break but passes to Nel Metcalfe’s feet.
On 76 minutes the Pyrs sisters play together for the first time. But it’s noteworthy that Cunningham has made very few replacements.
Wales are inside the Italian 22m and win a penalty for a high tackle – decision time! They opt bravely for a kick to the corner.
One minute left. Wales win the line-out and drive. It falls apart but they keep possession. Close to the line Molly Reardon throws a wild pass to the ground, but the Azzurre have infringed.
At 79.56 the decision is… scrum!
On 80 minutes Wales win a scrum penalty. George is hurt, so the game stops. On 82 minutes she is helped off, walking with assistance, but her leg was twisted. Ah, a proper trolley is available; good!
Beth Lewis holds the ball at back of the scrum – “Use it!” She doesn’t, but gets away with a delay. Wales thump at the line; Italy defend desperately. Finally Bevan feints a pass wide and dives for the line. ‘Held up!’ Game over!
So it’s a second loss for Cymru, and the inquests restart.
Back to the Beginnings
Ioan Cunningham claimed he and his squad knew the areas that needed cleaning up after their demolition by the Wallaroos, but he chose not to mention one specific: the tackling.
The game started as it was to continue. Neither side could stay in the opposition 22 for long. The Welsh made a good start, then dropped the ball in midfield. Unforced errors were to characterise the game.
Rigoni kicked out on the full. Now it was all Wales, till Italy made use of a quick turnover and nearly scored. Only a final forward pass to Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi prevented a try.
The first score came after a long drive by the Azzurre pack. The ball spread to the left where Jaz Joyce made a vital tackle, but Italy came again, and Elisa Giordano had a simple dot down for the opening try. 5-0.
Italy were looking more organised, their line-out accurate. Cymru had a few nice back moves but lacked penetration.
It took them 30 minutes to attack inside the Italian 22; Metcalfe chipped and collected, but two rucks were weakly supported and George chose to hoist a long cross-kick which Lewis couldn’t net.
The Welsh backs’ alignment still looked too flat, not offering George attacking outlets. Joyce danced and feinted, but found no way through.
Suddenly all was perfect for Wales: fine links took them to the 5-metre line. Many thrusts followed; then finally wide to Hannah Bluck and over! At the conversion Keira Bevan was given a 10-second warning, but still delayed; she kicked after zero and fluffed. 5-5
To complete the half the Azzurre mounted a big attack. Sofia Stefan passed wide to Emma Stevanin who dropped the ball! What would the absent Veronica Madia have made of the chance?
Half-time 5-5
Joyce still isn’t proving profitable for her team. She made a jinking run, but presented the ball poorly on the ground to give Rigoni a penalty chance that she accepted. 8-5. Nobody could guess that would be the last score of the day.
The scrappy play continued. Italy built nicely, then lost possession. Joyce kicked out on the full.
Another typical sequence: a great move by Italy, an outstanding no-look reverse pass by Rigoni, followed by an infringement that stopped the move dead.
Now we came back to those dramatic last few minutes. For Wales, it may prove tricky forgetting that failure to cross the line. The poverty of the scoreline tells its own story.
Result: Italy 8 Wales 5
Teams
Italy:
15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi 14 Aura Muzzo 13 Michela Sillari 12 Beatrice Rigoni 11 Francesca Grantzotto 10 Emma Stevanin 9 Sofia Stefan 1 Silvia Turani 2 Vittoria Vecchini 3 Sara Seye 4 Valeria Fedrighi 5 Giordana Duca 6 Sara Tounesi 7 Francesca Sgorbini 8 Elisa Giordano (captain)
16 Laura Gurioli 17 Emanuela Stecca 18 Vittoria Zanette 19 Alessandra Frangipani 20 Alissa Ranuccini 21 Beatrice Veronese 22 Sara Mannini 23 Beatrice Capomaggi
Wales:
15 Jasmine Joyce 14 Carys Cox 13 Hannah Jones (captain) 12 Hannah Bluck 11 Nel Metcalfe 10 Lleucu George 9 Keira Bevan 1 Gwenllian Pyrs 2 Carys Phillips 3 Donna Rose 4 Natalia John 5 Georgia Evans 6 Alisha Butchers 7 Alex Callender 8 Bethan Lewis
16 Molly Reardon 17 Maisie Davies 18 Sisilia Tuipulotu 19 Alaw Pyrs 20 Kate Williams 21 Sian Jones 22 Kayleigh Powell 23 Courtney Keight
Kerin Lak a late withdrawal
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)
Afterthoughts
It was pleasing to note a great improvement in the comm. box. Today’s pair were Paul Stubbs and Layla Arrison.
Were there more stewards on the ground than spectators?
