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Made to work: Wales see off Italy
Wales kept their Grand Slam mission on course after seeing off a determined Italy outfit 24-3 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday.
Now only France stand in the way of the Welsh, who are only 80 minutes away from securing the 2012 Six Nations title.
However, it wasn't always one-way traffic for the hosts. Wales have averaged almost 40 points a time over their previous Six Nations meetings with the Azzurri in Cardiff and a repeat performance was expected by many this weekend.
But the Italians weren't prepared to roll over so easily and put in a feisty performance in defence that kept their hosts tryless for 50 minutes, until centre Jamie Roberts finally found a chink in the visitors' armour.
Until then, the favourites had to settle for three penalties to one with full-back Leigh Halfpenny and wing Mirco Bergamasco providing all the points in the first half for their respective teams that saw Wales head into the half-time sheds 9-3 on top.
Italy enjoyed some lengthy spells of possession after the break, but they were then hit with a sucker punch as Wales grabbed the opening try.
The visitors had made seven times more tackles than the men in red, but had no answer for a Welsh counter-attack inside their own 22. With Italy's defence stretched, the ball was spun wide to Roberts who stepped inside Bergamasco for a clear run-in to the line.
Halfpenny added the extras but 10 minutes later found himself in the sin-bin after taking Italy skipper Sergio Parisse out in the air whilst following up his Garryowen.
However, the Azzurri failed to take advantage of playing against 14 Welshmen and failed to add any points in Halfpenny's absence. Instead, Wales managed to extend their lead through a Rhys Priestland penalty.
With three minutes left on the clock, the hosts sealed the deal with their second try of the match thanks to some brilliant finishing from wing Alex Cuthbert.
Priestland's conversion attempt was wide, but it didn't matter as Wales sent Italy home - still without a win in the competition. The Azzurri face Scotland next in a battle to avoid the wooden spoon.
Man of the match: Scrum-half Mike Phillips and centre Jonathan Davies were Wales' stand-out performers, but we'll go for flanker Dan Lydiate who put in his usual strong display.
Moment of the match: There weren't many! But Jamie Roberts' try proved to be the breakthrough Wales were looking for.
Villain of the match: We have a feeling referee George Clancy is going to cop a lot of flak following his performance in the middle...
The scorers:
For Wales:
Tries: Roberts, Cuthbert
Cons: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 3, Priestland
For Italy:
Pens: Bergamasco
Yellow card: Halfpenny, 61 mins (Wales, taking player out in the air)
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Gethin Jenkins (c).
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Luke Charteris, 19 Ryan Jones, 20 Rhys Webb, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Luke McLean, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Kristopher Burton, 9 Fabio Semenzato, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Cornelius Van Zyl, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso D'Apice, 17 Fabio Staibano, 18 Marco Bortolami, 19 Robert Barbieri, 20 Tobias Botes, 21 Tommaso Benvenuti, 22 Giulio Toniolatti.
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Comments
Carpelone says...
jontheref
Ghiraldini outpaced Lamont last year. He would have tackled Roberts.
I agree that North did not deserve a yellow, although Bergamasco's reaction was a normal one in a game of rugby, especially at the beginning when the tension is still there. If you have ever played any rugby, you know that George and Mirco would possibly have a beer on it at the end. If you are so bitter about him, what would the Italians do to Phillips and Byrne? Shoot them? Remember the unbearable bully attitude they had with the Italians few years ago.
Please try not to excuse whatever comes from your side. It was a nice game, which Wales deservedly won, although playing with an eye or two to the next game.
Posted 09:25 13th March 2012
jontheref says...
For anyone to suggest that North could have got a yellow for an early tackle is showing a lack of what the ref will give a yellow for.
He mistimed it, and brought the man to ground safely once he realsied.
Only the histrionics of the bearded clown wearing 14 in blue, made anyone remember it.
The was he tried to take North on was farcical, the school squirt trying to take on the school's top athlete.
Clancy never considered a yellow. listen to what he said.
Roberts had Ghiradinin's number, he had him beaten before he got injured, along with the 14 who he flapped away.
France will be a different prospect though.
Posted 22:55 12th March 2012
RugbyLocos says...
Carpelone:
Yes, its probably too late to be changing our Nş10 for France now. I just think that Gatland should have given Hook a chance at Nş10 in the second half against Italy - both to give him a shot at the 10 shirt, and to keep him in the loop.
At the end of the day Priestland also needs to feel that there is someone breathing down his neck for the 10 shirt. Why should he be any different when it comes to having competition for his place? - Hook was never given this kind of leaway and understanding; despite his winning record in that position.
The only issue I have with putting Hooky at 15 is that Halfpenny is better than Hook in that position, and he injects more pace into the attacking line. Halfpenny also prefers to play at 15, and it would be good for him to settle into that position as first choice.
Posted 22:03 12th March 2012
ThinkingGame says...
@RugbyLocos
It's a bit early to start speculating on what this Wales team will be like with SH opposition. We do know, however, that Hook and the "attack like madmen for the full 80" approach hasn't worked against them. It's funny how mediocre and underperforming teams can be made to look when a side controls the game from 10, kicks intelligently and defends well.
There's no doubt Priestland is most at risk of losing his place right now. He was awful at Twickenham, and looked like that was getting to him against Italy. Hook is a valuable option, with his experience and skill, and one I'd be happy to pick if I thought Priestland was out of form enough without having to find some at the same time as dealing with a high pressure week and a big game at the end of it. If they're both playing well, Priestland offers the better balance and composure for me. But wanting Hook on the bench in case Wales need an "attack like madmen or lose" shaped miracle is unarguable.
Posted 19:03 12th March 2012
Carpelone says...
RugbyLocos
I would go with North at 11, Halfpenny at 14 and Hook at 15. I agree that Priestland is not showing the same form as during the RWC, but I would stick with him.
Against France, you may need to find more cunning angles rather than to one-dimensional direct running.
Bear in mind that Roberts was Ghiraldini's man during the action of the first try (he got injured), otherwise things could have been more complicated for Wales.
Posted 16:23 12th March 2012
Carpelone says...
The last news about the Italian flyhalf is that they will try to bring in James Ambrosini, who currently plays for Brumbies.
I am also convinced that the Italian midfield is becoming an issue, why not to bring back Bergamasco at 12, since he is quite anonymous out wide?
Posted 16:17 12th March 2012
Carpelone says...
Praetorian
I fully agree with you. Parisse did risk to get seriously injured. To be honest, Halfpenny move was more reckless than effectively dangerous, but the yellow was fair. I also agree with Clancy that it was not a yellow for North in the first half.
Posted 16:13 12th March 2012
RugbyLocos says...
ThinkingGame....
No-one is disputing that Wales have come on leaps and bounds; are now closing out those games that they were previously losing; have a superb defense etc etc etc. - but this does not change the fact that we have been one-dimensional throughout this tournament in beating medoicre / underperforming opposition.
Just because we are top of the six nations table doesn´t mean that we can start comparing ourselves with the All Blacks either. By the time we next face the All Blacks they will have plenty of answers to our battering ram approach - and they will have moved to another level. Just watch some of those ¨Super¨ rugby games.
Wales has a very solid base with which to move on - so let's move on, and not limit ourselves to crash, bang, wallopp !!!
Come on Wales !!! - and Priestland: please prove me wrong !!!
Posted 15:40 12th March 2012
RugbyLocos says...
APV1:
There is no doubt that Alain Rolland is out on his own as being rugby enemy Number 1 - I myself was screaming at the T.V. when he showed the yellow card to Sharples - the problem is that Clancy has become the devil's apprentice.
I'm not saying that he was bias, in any way - he just ruined the flow of the game with the excessive use of his new toy - we may as well abolish the ruck totally if referees are going to blow up every time that one forms. As it was, Italy came into the game with damage limitation in mind, so a sluggish stop-start game obviously suited them.
Posted 14:09 12th March 2012
ThinkingGame says...
France are currently fourth in the championship, which means this missing creativity and off form Priestland have put Wales two points clear of the closest challenger, who they beat away from home. Wales have conceded 49 points, 13 fewer than the next nearest team. Good international teams generate pressure through defence, the best win games working off the turnovers and errors that creates. Priestland's calm dedication to "no risk" play is what makes it possible to keep that pressure on, and was a breath of fresh air in August when compared to Hook's desperation to play arcade rugby, or impersonate Barry John.
This happened with Michael Owen. He had a great 6N in 2005, only to be told the following season everything he was good at (distribution, link play, subtle angle changes) was worthless, and he should try and play more like Xavier Rush, or David Lyons, otherwise Wales would never beat those teams. It happened with Gareth Thomas. With him at fullback, Wales stopped conceding soft tries off first phase play. A tournament win later, and everyone feels we'd be better with Kevin Morgan as the last defender, and Gareth Thomas's creativity in the centres.
This Welsh team, the 25 or so players that have distinguished themselves since August, are very close to playing proper grown up rugby. As much as I enjoyed watching props sidestepping back rowers, back rowers playing like half backs, Shane, and all the last ditch defending and unbelievable offloading, for the first time, we're looking at a Welsh team that can start to do what the ABs do: grind teams down physically through their sheer athleticism, great defense, and ability to hold the ball without making errors. Sometimes, it will look like it did against Italy. But it'll win tournaments, and that is so much more important.
Never change a winning team.
Posted 13:46 12th March 2012
APV1 says...
I'm not convinced that Clancy did have that bad a game. He missed the knock-on, but many refs miss many things, so I'll forgive him that. Just. But he was consistent in his penantic nature. He didn't blow for non-offenses, just for minor ones. But they were still offenses.
Compare that to the yellow for Sharples and nothing for Fofana and I hope you'll agree that consistency is what we're after.
Posted 11:36 12th March 2012
RugbyLocos says...
Carpelone: Yes he was consistent......... as bad in the second half as he was in the first half !!! - whoever bought him that new whistle for Christmas has got a lot to answer for. Next time get him a nice new pen, or some vallium tablets.
Posted 10:08 12th March 2012
RugbyLocos says...
It's time to give Hook another chance at 10 - he should have been put in at 10 at the start of the second half against Italy. Sure, the referee had a new whistle for his birthday, but we also have to accept that our back line has been too flat and shown very little creativity during the entire six nations - battering our way to success. This is all well and good until we cross a team that can match us up front and come at us with pace and turn our defence - which is precisely what France are capable of ! (remember their RWC win against the Jona Lomu all black team). Priestland just seems to have lost his confidence and despite Hook's nightmare at the RWC he is still our most creative Nş10 and a real game changer. We are going to need a lot more on Saturday to take the slam, as the French will be up for it; if only to prove that they deserved to be in the final of the RWC.
Posted 09:39 12th March 2012
Carpelone says...
I saw the match again and I did not think Clancy had a bad day. At least, he was consistent.
Wales were not brilliant and tried to outmuscle the Italians rather then to outsmart them. I would rather go with North, Halfpenny and Hook, as Wales need more creativity from the backline.
Posted 09:09 12th March 2012
jontheref says...
pantreac
Yes, Jenkins did bind leagally.
His oppo player did not bind on the back as required, so he was able to pull Jenkins down, who them got penalised.
We know it is a jungle out there, but ignoring where the problem is, going to the other side so you don't see it, and not looking to see who has protected himself when it goes down, is really ignoring basic refereeing skills.
Posted 20:16 11th March 2012
melkdave says...
Italy do desperatly need a international 10 .Burton im afaraid just isnt kicks way to much and cant run the ball either .They seem to have this fixation in finding another Domiguez.That is imo the wrong approch as to be honest Dominguez was a limited fly half and the game has changed alot since he played with different rules ect..Italy really should be concentrating on finding a running passing fly half imo with pace who can break the gainline and who can take advantage of Italys present strengths a good driving pack.Then they can bring in the backline and the exciting backs comming through
My 15 would be
1) Castogvani 2) Ghiraldini 3)Cittadini 4)Geldenhuys 5)VanZYL 6)Zanni 7)Barbien 8) Parisese 9)Semenzato 10)Botes 11)Mi.Bercamasco 12)Sgarbi 13)Venuti 14) Benvenuti 15)McLean
With botes told he is not going to kick any penalties and just to run at holes in the defencive line and commit players before passing to the centers .Bergamasco and Mclean should be developed as the penalty kickers
Posted 14:08 11th March 2012
Sprogrugby says...
@benski
Arriving players I.e. players other than the tackler and tackled player, must come through the gate I.e. width of tackle on their side. This invariably means they are facing up the pitch. A ruck doesn't have a gate, it has an offside line, and hence as long as they contact the ruck with both feet behind the hindmost feet, they can be at any angle. It looks wrong, but under law it isn't. From the blog, it doesn't seem this is the main critique of GC (or JC if some people's thoughts on his ego are to be believed).
Having watched GC a few times, I do agree with comments that he doesn't necessarily appreciate the flow or nature of a game, and what actually
benefits the match. It is not always about blowing every penalty, but always knowing the non-negotiables.
I also agree that ARs seem to be reneging on their responsibilities.
Posted 13:17 11th March 2012
praetorian says...
Congratulations to Wales for playing a humble match against a (supposedly) inferior team. Instead of playing rugby stars they were concrete from the beginning, going for 'just' points when they could keep bashing against the defense phase after phase, with possibly no result.
I expected Italy to keep a lot of possession. That was already harder without Castro, so why leaving out Barbieri, too?
Brunel proved right with the Barbieri decision, as Simone Favaro played a great match.
But really wrong, in my opinion, with all that kicking in the first half. Right now that is by far our best period, we must try to score.
Comments about Halfpenny's "competing for the ball" and Parisse's "operatic attempt at pretending to be hurt" are so pathetic from supporters of the winning side!
Your man throwed himself in the air at full speed, remaining about a mile below Parisse (in terms of grabbing the ball), did nothing to prevent dangerous contact. he did not "compete" for anything. Parisse was rotated in the air and could land his 100+ kilos on his own neck. Just stop it and help your team beat France to bring home a deserved championship.
Posted 12:48 11th March 2012
pantreac says...
Did Jenkins bind legally in any scrum in the Game?
Posted 10:47 11th March 2012
JeanLucJoinel says...
it wasnt just Clancy that killed the flow- wales were very poor for most of the game against an Italian side who seem to have got more limited as the year has gone on.
if both teams play to their best form in the past few weeks then wales should comfortably beat france, because france have been very disappointing so far- stuttering against italy, sluggish for much of the match against scotland, and then desperately bad against a limited and negative irish team. one feels that the elements are there to put in a real performance...who knows when. maybe they need the ABs to play at their best?
wales on the other hand weren't that great against england, only just beat the irish and only briefly fully sparked against scotland- the hype has got ahead of where the welsh really are and against the italians that became clear. i dont deny the potential is huge and some outstanding individuals - lets face it there are very few real challengers to welsh players to man the ranks of the Lions in ire/scot/eng
Posted 09:31 11th March 2012