Italy have formally knocked the USA out of the finals race at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with a 47-point smashing.
Final score
Italy 46
USA 0
Having both lost their opening games of the tournament, Italy and the United States are hanging on a knife’s edge in Group D as they clash heads in Townsville in search of a much-needed win. Catch all the live scores, highlights and action on The Roar from 5pm (AEDT).
With only three group games to book a ticket into the finals, both sides find themselves playing catch-up after just one.
The United States were absolutely rolled last week by the flying Fijians, letting in 11 tries to just two for possibly the worst start to their campaign they could have asked for.
That has immediately left the US reeling in last in their Group with a -46 points difference and really needing two big wins from their last two games to make it through.
For the Italians, they weren’t quite hit that hard, but the result was still a bad one nonetheless in their tournament opener against Ireland.
Despite being ranked lower than the Irish, the Azzuri were coming into the game as firm favourites with a line-up full of NRL talent.
Trailing by eight at halftime, Italy were never able to get into the contest as Ireland ran away 36-12 winners, leaving them in the same position as the US needing to win both of their last two games, one of which is against Group leaders Fiji.
Simply, whoever loses today is out.
To add to the chaos for the Italians, teammates James Tedesco and Shannon Wakeman have been embroiled with in-team fighting throughout the week.
Their heavy 58-12 loss to Fiji has only added to the pain of the USA’s recent World Cup run of losses.
They have conceded a massive 142 points to just 20 in their last three RLWC games, averaging nine tries a game against them.
In saying that though, things aren’t a whole lot better for Italy who have gone winless from their last six international games leading into the tournament and including the aforementioned Ireland defeat.
Team News
Both sides have made changes leading into the do or die clash.
For Italy, coach Cameron Ciraldo will welcome back Terry Campese after the former Raider was ruled out before kickoff against Ireland with a calf injury.
It’s not such good news for the Italians other half Jack Johns who went off in the second half last week and has been ruled out with a fractured arm.
Ryan Ghietti will partner Campese in the halves, while Colin Wilkie is also out of the side and will be replaced by Chris Centrone on the bench.
For the US, Sam Tochterman-Talbott, Fotukava Malu and Gabriel Farley have all been brought onto the bench in place of Joshua Rice, Joe Eichner and Andrew Kneisly.
Prediction
Both sides are playing to keep their tournament alive, plain and simple.
These two nations have never played each other before but you’d have to think the Italians look the better side, despite their off-field dramas, and have a case to answer for after last week’s disappointing performance.
While the US have plenty of flair when they kick into gear, I don’t think they’ll be taking home the points this afternoon.
Italy to win by 22
Maestro
Guest
What a farce . Ashley klein finds 7 soft straight penalties to get USA back into game but still cant get them a try. Wheres the fraud commission?
Connor Bennett
Editor
Around the grounds, PNG have just beaten a valiant Irish side 14-6. And coming up next will be the aforementioned Fiji vs Wales match up.
Connor Bennett
Editor
So in Group D, the US are out of the finals equation. Regardless of Fiji's result against Wales tonight, Italy will have to beat Fiji next week to make it through to the quarter finals
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME With their World Cup hopes on the line, Italy have bounced back from a surprise loss to Ireland last week with a convincing run over the USA who were packed with errors and simply couldn't slow the Azzuri down. Three tries for the Italians between the eight and 18th minutes set the tone early for this game and they never looked back. Five tries in the first half and three in the second has give Italy a comprehensive 46-0 win. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' The US throwing it around all over the shop with nothing to lose. They'll take anything at this point but the ball is goes down once again. Italy with 4 seconds now to get another one... Tedesco kicks high to the left wing. MILONE IS THERE!!! But the ball is kicked dead and the game comes to an end on a very exciting note. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Italy throw a forward pass on the second tackle of the set!! Both sides have been terrible today with errors, penalties and general discipline. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Italy now with a full set right on the US line. And they win a penalty right on the line as well to aid their cause. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' Well that's the epitome of USA's game today. Burroughs decides to sneak down the short side on the first tackle of the set just one metre from his own line and he's comfortable dragged out over the sideline. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' A good kick from Milone into the in goal area but Makelim does a great job to desperately sneak his way back into the field of play. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' USA working their way up into the enemy half after the quick Italian set from the kickoff. The US pop a little kick up to the right wing but to no avail. Italy have had them covered at every single turn today and the results are telling. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' Another good conversion from Mantellato who sinks his 7th of the day. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
73' TRY ITALY!! What was all of that!! USA were on the last tackle, they kicked down field but the kick was charged down accidentaly by Nathan Brown who was absolutely smashed in the face by the kick. The ball came back to the US who chipped across field to the wing but the ball came loose as they try to cut back in field. Cerruto came flying through from fullback to scoop up the loose ball and he runs straight through a giant whole in the defence, dashing 70 metres to other end of the park. Hectic stuff but a try nonetheless. Italy – 46 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
72' The US just taking one-off hit ups here, they look spent, they look frustrated and they're really not making much of the ball right now. Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
71' Italy now coming away from their own line as he come into the final 10 minutes. Can they really pile on the pain late here or will the US limit the damage? Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
70' The US swinging it from right to left and back again, searching desperately for something on the board today. Nope. Italy defending superbly and yet another poor last tackle decision costs the US a four-pointer, darting out of dummy half from a couple of metres out and there's a wall of blue jerseys there to greet them and keep them down. Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
69' The ball comes loose but the call is a knock on from Italy so the US will get another set right on the line. Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
68' MAKELIM IS THROUGH NOW!! The fullback has been busy today and he's through the line thanks to a very nice inside ball at the line. He's in back play but no support around him, something the Italians have done very well today. Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
67' Penalty in the scrum!? Are we watching rugby union here? It goes against Italy for not binding in properly in the scrum and that is a very, very rare penalty in rugby league indeed. Italy – 40 USA – 0
Connor Bennett
Editor
66' Ghietti chips a little dink over the US defence looking for his men out on the left wing but the bounce ruins his plans and the ball dribbles out over the sideline for a US scrum. Italy – 40 USA – 0