Rugby:Italy recorded their biggest-ever World Cup victory as they powered past Russia 53-17 at Trafalgar Park. A first-half blitz saw them rip apart the Bears, scoring six tries to help them to a 38-7 lead at the break. The Azzurri pack was simply unplayable.
Russia showed more fight and composure after the break to stand them in good stead for the future but by then the damage had been done, particularly up-front. Sergio Parisse, Giulio Toniolatt (2), Tommaso Benvenuti (2), Edoardo Gori, Luke McLean and Alessandro Zanni all crossed for tries for Italy, while the pack deservedly earned a penalty try. Riccardo Bocchino posted four conversions.
In a mixed display, with moments of madness, poor tackling, brave adventure and impressive running,
the Russians were rewarded with tries through Alexander Yanyushkin, Vladimir Ostroushko and Alexey Makovetskiy, while Konstantin Rachkov added a conversion.
Having seen Bocchino miss an early shot at goal, Parisse got the Azzurri on their way as he glided through a gap in the Russia defence to score. Bocchino converted. Worse was to come for Russia as Toniolatti dived over in the corner. Kingsley Jones will have been pulling his hair out as a schoolboy error from Ostroushko allowed Benvenuti to score a simple try from Bocchino’s chip ahead.
Italy clinched the bonus point on 23 minutes when Gori found Parisse from a quick lineout and the Italy skipper charged through before releasing Toniolatti for his second try. Bocchino converted. With the Russia scrum under huge pressure it was no surprise that a penalty try followed on 30 minutes; referee Wayne Barnes tired of seeing the set-piece collapse. Bocchino added his third conversion.
The Bears created a bit of history when they scored their first World Cup try through Yanyushkin as the replacement scrum-half sniped over from close range. Rachkov converted. Italy hit back immediately, though, as Gori profited from some poor Russian tackling. Bocchino converted.
Trailing 38-7 at the break, Russia showed more willing in the second period and made some good inroads in to the Italy half. Unfortunately, silly errors and the power of the Italy pack meant they got little reward for their efforts. Benvenuti made the Russians pay as he scored his second try after winning the race to his own kick ahead.
Ostroushko made amends for his first-half faux pas when he slid over in the corner for Russia’s second try, though. Victor Gresev and Yanyushkin made the initial hard yard before quick hands found Ostroushko, who rounded McLean to score. McLean responded with Italy’s eighth try as he ghosted through some tired Russian tackling.
However Russia were able to cash in for a third try, with Makovetskiy diving over after the pack had provided the platform by winning turnover ball at a lineout. Zanni ensured the Azzurri had the final word when he scored after the Russians were driven off the ball at their own scrum.
Russia have just a four day turnaround until they meet Ireland on Sunday while Declan Kidney’s men must then face Italy in their final pool match, the Azzurri facing Australia prior to that.
Italy:Masi, Toniolatti, Benvenuti, Pratichetti, McLean, Bocchino, Gori, Perugini, Ongaro, Cittadini, Geldenhuys, Bortolami, Derbyshire, M. Bergamasco, Parisse. Replacements: D'Apice, Castrogiovanni, van Zyl, Zanni, Canavosio, Canale, Sgarbi.
Russia:Klyuchnikov, Artemyev, Kuzin, Makovetskiy, Ostroushko, Rachkov, Shakirov, Botvinnikov, Korshunov, Prishchepenko, Voytov, Byrnes, Grachev, Garbuzov, Gresev. Replacements: Tsnobiladze, Khrokin, Antonov, Fatakhov, Yanyushkin, Sidorov, Kushnarev.
Referee:Wayne Barnes (RFU)
