/ 26 October 2003

Wales too strong for Italy

Wales fought off Italy’s challenge to claim a quarterfinal spot at the Rugby World Cup with a 27-15 win in Pool D at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

It is the one-time rugby power’s third quarterfinal appearance in five World Cups and their ninth win in 10 encounters against Italy, who were bidding for their first-ever place in the last eight at the tournament.

The Welsh won a torrid encounter through their committed defence and greater variety in attack.

Wales scored three tries to nil to do away with the fraught task of having to beat tournament kingpins New Zealand in Sydney on November 2 to claim a quarterfinal spot in the final match in the pool.

Italy dominated territory and possession, but were static in attack and did not have the skill to pierce the secure Wales defence.

The tournament is over for John Kirwan’s Azzurri team, who achieved a tournament best of two wins in their four group games.

”We got the result we came from so we’ve got to be happy. It wasn’t a complete performance but it was good enough,” said Welsh coach Steve Hansen.

”They tried everything but lost their way a little bit but we’re not complaining.”

Kirwan said his side had given total commitment.

”We made errors midway through the first half when we needed to turn it into points, so you have to take your hat off to the Wales defence.”

Italy were done no favours by a torrid fixture schedule that forced them to play all four of their pool matches in just 14 days, while Wales’ games were a week apart.

Wales seized their few opportunities in the opening half, dominated by the Italians.

A charge by number eight Colin Charvis took Wales inside the Italy quarter and the ball was recycled for left-winger Mark Jones to finish off a slick passing move in the ninth minute.

Italy attacked the Welsh line but stout-hearted defence kept them at bay with prop Martin Castrogiovanni tackled just short of the try-line.

Inside-centre Iestyn Harris kicked Wales to a 10-3 lead with a 24th-minute penalty but they lost prop Duncan Jones stretchered off with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury soon after.

Wales also lost star fullback Kevin Morgan minutes earlier with a leg injury and replaced by Rhys Williams.

Italy fly-half Rima Wakarua landed his second penalty, but Harris kept the Welsh seven points ahead with a 29th-minute penalty.

Wales were penalised for pulling down a maul enabling Wakarua to land his third penalty.

But Wales got a big break nearing halftime when fly-half Ceri Sweeney darted through as Italy rushed up in defence leaving a hole and in the next phase the ball was flung out to centre Sonny Parker, who stormed over for the second try and a 20-9 halftime advantage.

Wakarua kicked Italy to within five points with two penalties in the opening 10 minutes of the second half as Italy continued to dominate possession and territory.

But Wales finished the stronger in the final 20 minutes and clinched the game when flanker Daffyd Jones plunged over from a rolling maul close to the Italian try-line in the 63rd minute. — Sapa-AFP