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Scorer: Giovanbattista Venditti
Italy claimed a gritty 13-6 victory over Scotland on Saturday in a result that handed the visitors the Six Nations Championship Wooden Spoon.
It was apparent that this was a Wooden Spoon decider as both teams shut up shop and tried not to lose more than take the game by the scruff of the neck. Possibly that is doing a disservice to Jacques Brunel's outfit though, as they did enjoy spells of territory in which players ran straight.
But the first-half only managed to produce a grand total of six points as Mirco Bergamasco and Greig Laidlaw traded a penalty apiece in the sunshine. Italy reemerged in hot form though following the turnaround and enjoyed a purple patch that led to Giovanbattista Venditti going over for five points.
That converted try on 43 minutes proved to be the match-winner as only another shot from Laidlaw and then a late Kris Burton drop-goal troubled the scorers in the remaining 37 minutes in Rome.
Scotland end the 2012 Six Nations with no wins to their name in a campaign that has left the pressure mounting on coach Andy Robinson.
The Englishman was forced to make a late change to his side when prop Allan Jacobsen failed a fitness test before kick-off, with John Welsh starting. Meanwhile, the Italians were also without a first-choice player after hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini pulled out injured.
But it was the opposing hooker, Ross Ford, who was in the spotlight during the action at the Stadio Olimpico as the Scottish line-out struggled to fire throughout. That hurt their game.
As mentioned, the first 40 minutes struggled to excite as Bergamasco and Laidlaw kicked one penalty each. But then after the break Venditti found an opening as he burst through a Stuart Hogg tackle to touch down. Burton sent over the conversion from under the posts.
Scotland did answer in the 60th minute via another kick from Laidlaw but when Burton sent over a drop-goal three minutes from time, Scotland were beaten for the fifth time in 2012.
Man of the match: Back from a rib injury, prop Martin Castrogiovanni was superb for Italy while lock Quintin Geldenhuys and number eight David Denton also put in good shifts.
Moment of the match: No prizes for guessing this one. Italy wing Giovanbattista Venditti scoring on 43 minutes to send Rome wild. A key try that proved to be the difference.
Villain of the match: If we have to then it will be the yellow card trio at Stadio Olimpico.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Try: Venditti
Con: Burton
Pen: Bergamasco
Drop: Burton
For Scotland:
Pen: Laidlaw 2
Yellow cards: Nick de Luca - 39 mins; Jim Hamilton - 56 mins; Alessandro Zanni - 66 mins
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovanbattista Venditti, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Gonzalo Canale, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Kris Burton, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso D'Apice, 17 Lorenzo Cittadini, 18 Joshua Furno, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21 Tobias Botes, 22 Giulio Toniolatti.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Max Evans, 13 Nick de Luca, 12 Graeme Morrison, 11 Sean Lamont, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Mike Blair, 8 David Denton, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford (captain), 1 John Welsh.
Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Euan Murray, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 Richie Vernon, 20 Chris Cusiter, 21 Ruaridh Jackson, 22 Jack Cuthbert.
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Nigel Whitehouse (Wales)
Comments
kybone says...
I think the 6N would be far too long if you add another team, in its present format anyway. I think if we're going to invite more teams to play then the format of the competition has to be changed somehow ie. maybe invite two more teams (a tournement with an odd number of teams just doesn't work), make two pools of 4 with a semi then a final for the top 2 in each pool. You could even have the two 3rd placed teams playing each other and the two 4th placed teams playing each other so that every team gets a placed finish 1st or winners, right down to 8th.
Posted 04:47 19th March 2012
carpelone says...
@ Jp07
Not only to Italy.
Posted 18:08 18th March 2012
melkdave says...
@Carpelone
Making it the 7Ns atm is really a none starter Goergia the best of the other countries atm just hasnt got the infastructure to compete consistantly with the likes of Wales-England -Ireland or France they just dont have the depth of players a bit like Scotland and Italy .As to having a relagation match between the the ENC winners and the bottom 6Ns team that also is atm a non starter .The touraments are out of synch and all you would be doing is replacing one team who isnt competing but has the stadia ect for one which also wouldnt be able to competeand hasnt the stadia ect atm .Im afaraid that atm even if Georgia won promotion (so to speak) in the end it would end up penalising them by knocking their self belief in their abilities.A better way for now is to have the A teams tour there or play in a european competion simalar to the Churhill Cup for the likes of Georgia -Russia-Portugal ect to hopefully raise their genaral standard of play (note not play in the ENC ).After all its worked for the Pacific Islads and the USA and Canada who this year will start playing Tier1 nations full teams on a yearly basis Scotland going to Fiji-Samoa and Italy N.America
Posted 14:59 18th March 2012
atg77 says...
@kybone, I agree to some extent, but how about Stuart Hogg, three caps and at 19 already a stalwart of the side. constantly gets over the gain line and has a good eye for the gap. Move him to outside centre with Matt Scott at 12... Laidlaw/Jackson at 9/10 and Visser, Jack Cuthbert and Jones/Evans in the outside backs and Scotland is in Business
Posted 13:22 18th March 2012
Ramage says...
Just as well there was no other game to watch as I would have changed channels. At least the game between Wales andFrance was intense and much faster and enjoyable. Is there anyone else who like me thinks Alain Rolland has lost the plot? His refereeing was bizarre to be kind to him. Seems to be refereeing with an enormous four by two on his shoulder. This was a very poor game and Scotland seem to be reaping the rewards for constantly changing their Scottish competition, the constant changes at the top, the fact they dropped the Borders team and the employment of an already failed coach, one who is the most grumpiest because his players cant seem to play to his plan or he motivate them to do so.
Posted 08:48 18th March 2012
carpelone says...
What about bringing in the best of the other European Nations?
It will become a 7N, with six matches to play, bonus point system could be adopted and see better matches at the end.
I agree with other posters that the 6N is becoming to much compressed betweenother competition and looks not so exciting anymore.
Posted 08:31 18th March 2012
kybone says...
Personally i don't think its the players that are wrong with Scotland, its the way the team plays. Scotland may not have a BoD or a North or a Fofana but you don't need to be the worlds greatest players in order to pass, catch, and tackle properly. The lack of execution of the basic skills is what lets scotland down and its been the same through about 4 different coaches and countless players over about a decade or more. Scotland have what a lot of teams crave i.e. ball carriers. So the game plan just needs to be simple, use the likes of grey, denton, jacobson, and ford to get over the gain line and then just execute your backs moves properly. Too often in this 6N Scotland got into good possition but then the ball goes wide all the way to the opposite wing with not a single player straightening up to give some go-forward. All you really have to do is just make sure you're always running towards the opposition try line, its not difficult but Scotland make it look difficult.
Posted 08:16 18th March 2012
carpelone says...
Painful match to see.
Posted 08:04 18th March 2012
Jp07 says...
What a pointless comment. If Hastings and Townsend had been playing in their prime Scotland would have put 50 on that Italy side
Posted 07:58 18th March 2012
j615 says...
If Troncon and Dominguez in their primes had been playing for italy today they would have put 30+ points on Scotland. Burton had probably his best game of the tournament but too often plays too deep. Gori looks ok but must play more often for Treviso if he's to improve. Overall I think Italy have performed to par this six nations, apart from against Ireland in the second half they were never embarassed. The win is something for Brunel to build on.
Posted 00:25 18th March 2012
atg77 says...
I think Scotlandreally need to move on from S.Lamont and Morrison. Move Laidlaw to nine and Jackson to 10(form permitting). Visser will take the no. 11 Jersey when qualified and Jones at 14. Midfeild is the biggest problem. I would definately start Scott at 12 but there are a few possibilities for 13. I'd go for either Ansbro or Grove... or perhaps even move Hogg there and Cuthbert to 15. Bottom line: Scotland need some major changes; and they need them now
Posted 23:43 17th March 2012
Jp07 says...
In regards to promotion/relegation, I would support a playoff system between wooden spoon and euro champs. Although the euro cup lasts 18 months so doesn't fit well. We are a nation with 2 domestic sides and arguably not enough interest to maintain any more. Borders didn't have the crowds, what about the Aberdeen area?
Posted 21:56 17th March 2012
melkdave says...
@Scot_rsa
Couldnt agree more with you concerning the SRU but isnt that S.Lineens new brief along with the U20s.Also worst decision ever was letting the borders franchise fold 33% of Scotlands proffesional players allowed to dwindle away over time .Also the 2 remaining teams need to start chalanging for silverware .I know i keep on about the league games but they are the bread and butter games for the clubs and to a very large extent they just dont matter .Because both clubs are guarenteed H/Cup rugby.Making the league games worth something i feel would help Scotland greatly at all levals
Posted 21:27 17th March 2012
makemehappy says...
Had someone taken all the energy out of Scotland. Grey didn't turn up, Ford couldn't throw in etc. Awful game, and best forgotten.
At Swiwi - what are you talking about? You aren't going to pop over to Georgia for a game! and neither is anyone else.
Posted 20:26 17th March 2012
scot_rsa says...
melkdave - I'd have Scott and Bennett going on the tour as centres, but agree with you we need wholesale change. Scrum looked better with Welsh, however our backline as dismal as usual, with tactics and running lines straight out of a school U14 coaching manual. The Italians fully deserved their win, their backs at least ran dummy lines and looked committed. Ah, those lineout throws near the Italian 22, did Ross have a case of the yips? Not sure about Robinson any more as I've always supported him. However, I'd bin the entire bunch of stuffed shirts at the SRU first for their dismal failure to build any talent structure in Scotland. Appoint a man to scour the world for players with Scottish connections? For shame, we should be building a platform for our youngsters. I can only take my hat off to the Welsh and look on enviously. Rant over.
Posted 20:01 17th March 2012
NHsaints says...
Well done to Italy...they had a win coming sooner or later...as for Scotland same old same old, they really need someone to reignite them and their scoring ways (like Ashton for England in 2010) so Visser would hopefully be the answer for them there and hopefully the return of Ansbro at 13 will add some much needed impetus to their centres...Weir or Jackson have to be 10 now laidlaw isn't good enough. They need a better loosehead as well...second row they're fine and same in the backrow. Hogg is great at 15 and they're never short of decent wingers. They need a player who will lead from the front without error. Ford just makes too many mistakes to be captain...
Posted 19:34 17th March 2012
Philly says...
Still can't believe Robinson was made coach in the first place. DId his dismal record with England somehow pass unnoticed?He is nowhere near an international coach...
Posted 19:10 17th March 2012
NHsaints says...
I'd almost agree with the idea of a bottom end qualification/relegation battle if it weren't for the fact that the demoted team (especially if scotland) would thrash most of the tier 2 teams (or the other 5 nations vs the promoted nation) in a manner undeserving of them even turning up...although if you consider their world cup results vs Romania and Georgia it does lend some strength to the idea of relegation...
Posted 17:01 17th March 2012
Jp07 says...
First things first a truly awful match with a refereeing performance to match. Scotland have shown what bringing youth through can do so it is time to clear out the rot. Townsend leaving is a plus, Lamont needs to lose this untouchable aura Robinson seems to buy into. Laid law is a 9 not a 10. Ford is not a captain. Robinson has brought through some good players while showing too much faith in others while also discarding some who deserve to be there. Alex Grove as an example. His caps seem to have been purely to tie him to Scotland, he is in better form than any of our current centres. Ansbro is better than any of this seasons centres. It is time to splash some cash and get.a reputable coach. Robinson is a top forwards coach but as he showed in his time with England his selections are baffling at times.
Posted 16:59 17th March 2012
brownie says...
both teams should be thrown out of 6 nations make it 4 team comp each team plays each other twice and include bonus points.
Posted 16:12 17th March 2012