FLANKER SIMONE FAVARO inspired Italy to a 24-13 victory over Samoa on Saturday, ending their wretched winless run in the process.
Italy headed into the game having gone almost an entire year without victory — their last success coming against Fiji on November 16, 2013. That run amounted to nine consecutive winless outings for the Europeans, and they looked as though they could reach double figures when Jack Lam’s try helped visiting Samoa into a 10-3 lead at the interval.
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However, having gone down 15-0 to the same opponents in June, Italy dug deep to bounce back in Ascoli. Man-of-the-match Favaro was at the heart of their fightback, scoring the hosts’ first try to put Italy ahead in the 48th-minute before fierce defence helped to keep them in front.
Debutant fly-half Kelly Haimona also contributed with some confident kicking to provide 14 points, giving Italian rugby a much-needed shot in the arm. Haimona had got the scoring started with a 10th-minute penalty, but Samoa hit back through the boot of Tusi Pisi before Lam crossed for the first try and Pisi added the extras.
Italy roared back after the break, though, Haimona kicking three points to narrow the deficit before Favaro took centre stage. He stormed over to put them back in the ascendancy and although Haimona missed the subsequent conversion, he quickly made amends from the tee after trading penalties with Pisi.
Captain Sergio Parisse then got in on the action, going over to give Italy an eight-point cushion after the extras were added in the 66th minute.
Samoa refused to roll over and they mounted a charge with time running out, but Italy’s defensive resilience — even in the face of an 80th-minute yellow card for Alberto de Marchi — ultimately proved decisive as they held on for a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Six Nations and World Cup action next year.
Favaro-inspired Italy end winless run against Samoa
FLANKER SIMONE FAVARO inspired Italy to a 24-13 victory over Samoa on Saturday, ending their wretched winless run in the process.
Italy headed into the game having gone almost an entire year without victory — their last success coming against Fiji on November 16, 2013. That run amounted to nine consecutive winless outings for the Europeans, and they looked as though they could reach double figures when Jack Lam’s try helped visiting Samoa into a 10-3 lead at the interval.
However, having gone down 15-0 to the same opponents in June, Italy dug deep to bounce back in Ascoli. Man-of-the-match Favaro was at the heart of their fightback, scoring the hosts’ first try to put Italy ahead in the 48th-minute before fierce defence helped to keep them in front.
Debutant fly-half Kelly Haimona also contributed with some confident kicking to provide 14 points, giving Italian rugby a much-needed shot in the arm. Haimona had got the scoring started with a 10th-minute penalty, but Samoa hit back through the boot of Tusi Pisi before Lam crossed for the first try and Pisi added the extras.
Italy roared back after the break, though, Haimona kicking three points to narrow the deficit before Favaro took centre stage. He stormed over to put them back in the ascendancy and although Haimona missed the subsequent conversion, he quickly made amends from the tee after trading penalties with Pisi.
Captain Sergio Parisse then got in on the action, going over to give Italy an eight-point cushion after the extras were added in the 66th minute.
Samoa refused to roll over and they mounted a charge with time running out, but Italy’s defensive resilience — even in the face of an 80th-minute yellow card for Alberto de Marchi — ultimately proved decisive as they held on for a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Six Nations and World Cup action next year.
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Jack Lam Kelly Haimona Relief Simone Favaro Fiji Italy Samoa