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Match Result: Italy have moved to third in Pool D after a hard fought 23-18 win over Canada at Elland Road.
ITALY 23
CANADA 18
Despite a second half onslaught by Canada, who had almost sixty percent possession in the match, Italy used their experience to hold on and score when they had the ball.
The match didn’t start well for Italy with Canada scoring first with a penalty in the 13th minute. A player offside allowed Nathan Hirayama to score for the Canucks.
Two minutes later, they made it 10-0, after a stunning run by Daniel Van Der Merwe.
At the restart, Van Der Merwe got the ball, and ran down the left hand side of the field.
He would break past the Italian defence, pass to a team-mate, and get the ball back to score for Canada.
Italy responded immediately with a try to Michele Rizzo to make it 10-7.
Two penalties, in the 24th and last minute of the half, gave the Azzurri a 3 point lead at the break.
Canada responded after the break by dominating the contest.
They took the lead in the 43rd minute with an individual try to Matt Evans who burst through the defence of Italy.
This gave Canada a 15-13 lead but they couldn’t extend it despite having control of the match for the next ten minutes.
Italy made them pay, with a try in the 57th minute, as they used their forwards to go over the line.
A penalty, and control in the lineout, allowed Gonzalo Garcia to score for Italy.
It handed them a 20-15 lead.
Canada would attack again but only score a penalty goal with 8 minutes remaining.
They struggled to get over the try line at the crucial stages of the match when they had control of it.
Italy on the other hand, with their experience, handled the situation well and ran down the clock to win the match.
A late penalty goal sealed the big win for the Italians.
They now face Ireland next on October 5 with Canada facing Romania on October 7 in a winnable match.
Match Preview: After first-round losses in Pool D, Italy and Canada face each other at Elland Road in Leeds for their second match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Join The Roar for all the action live from 11:30pm (AEST).
With the top two spots in Pool D likely to go to France and Ireland, after impressive wins early, this match could decide who takes third in the group, guaranteeing them a spot in the 2019 tournament.
The opening round was disappointing for both teams. Canada got smashed by Ireland 50-7, conceding 26 points in the space of 21 minutes before half time. Italy went down 32-10 to France, and would have expected to be more competitive.
This is the sixth time the two nations have faced off. Italy won 19-14 at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, and have taken out three of the other four meetings between the two. The largest victory was in 2004, Italy winning by 45 points.
Canada’s only success was in the two nations’ first match, in 2000.
Italy have made four changes, with Lorenzo Cittadini replacing Martin Castrogiovanni, Michele Rizzo in for Matias Aguero at tight head, and Gonzalo Garcia and Tommaso Benvenuti replacing injured centres Andrea Masi and Michele Campagnaro.
For Canada, skipper Tyler Ardron returns to the team, joined by Jebb Sinclair and Jamie Cudmore. Canada coach Kieran Crowley will be hoping the changes get a reaction out of the team.
Controlling the scrum, and putting the opposition in discomfort, will be the aim for both teams today.
Prediction
Italy will to come out firing to try make amends for their last match.
They have better form than Canada, and a more experienced line up, which will become apparent as the game progresses.
Italy by 14 points.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.