GENOA – The final test of November and the Azzurri rugby team’s second win. After beating Australia and being followed by South Africa, Italy changed tune by facing favorites Chile, a team that is improving but still has less capacity. On a Marassi night, a little cooler than feared, and in front of 12 thousand spectators, Gonzalo Quesada’s XV achieved the expected victory: final result 34-19 (first half 15-7).
For the visitors, this is a very important match, at the end of a European tour and against one of the rivals they almost never get to meet. Chile exerted effort, physical and mental endurance, strength and attitude, playing to the limit of his ability, but also with his strength, and with all the wits available. Italy were clearly stronger and showed it, but using alternating current, playing without any real continuity and less than one-off in terms of accuracy.
It makes sense that compared to the games in Udine and Turin, there were a lot of changes (around ten players in the starting line-up) to make room for those with fewer players. Therefore, it also makes sense that the level of understanding and experience in the field is lower. At the end of the match, Quesada, who is always able to get straight to the point without beating around the bush, summed it up as follows: «Lots of substitutions, many players who haven’t played for almost a month, the ball is slippery because of the humidity on a night like this (kick-off at 21.10, ed.). We weren’t able to capitalize on all the possession we won in the second half of the first half, and we lacked precision in the second half. The scrum played very well, ensuring possession and we should have ended the game early, considering we were almost always in their half. Yes, we need to manage certain moments better: on five or six occasions, when we were on target, we scored or put them in big trouble. The next step is to be able to make 10 changes and stay at a certain level: but this is not easy for anyone, as South Africa showed against us a week ago.”
The number of goals is five to three. Italy scored two goals in the first half. In the 11th minute there was a regular shot from Capuozzo, which Alessandro Garbisi took at the right time and was able to slot himself in like lightning: a well-prepared move by an effective group of three. The 10-0 scoreline came through a conversion and then through a free kick, signed by Da Re. In the 35th minute, young hooker Di Bartolomeo scored with a long drive from the forward following a throw-in. It could be that there are still other signs that are missing due to errors scattered here and there. And then Chile copied us at the end of the first half: touches, good work from the scrummen and a breakthrough goal from prop Lues.
Còndores gave their best at the start of the second half: after missing a penalty with Salas, they took a high kick that caught Capuozzo unprepared: Saab ran in and made the ball disappear, flying into the goal. Salas converted and reduced the deficit to just one point, 15-14.
