Grounds for concern as ruthless Italy cruise it
EDDIE Jones joked that Owen Farrell had lost a piece of his nose after being flattened by an illegal challenge from USA openside John Quill.
Quill was the first player to be sent off in the 2019 World Cup after he caught Farrell with a shoulder to the jaw that sent the Saracens playmaker crashing to the floor and igniting a brawl.
Once referee Nic Berry had reviewed the incident and issued a red card, the USA had to play the final 10 minutes of their 45-7 defeat with only 14 men.
“I think we’re about to barbecue part of his nose — I think someone has found it on the field!” said Jones, who reported a clean bill of health following the game.
“He’s missing part of his nose, which is unfortunate, but he’s married and has got a child so he’s not looking for any young lass in Kobe tonight. He’ll be okay.”
England were lucky to escape censure themselves after Piers Francis clattered head high into full-back Will Hooley, but the incident was missed by the officials.
“We never discuss that area, we leave it to the judiciary or the citing commissioner or whoever it is and then we’ll take what ever is handed out,” Jones said.
USA coach Gary Gold endorsed Quill’s dismissal but also called for the Francis tackle to be investigated.
“It could not be made any clearer. You are not allowed to make contact with the head and you have to use your arms and he did not do that,” Gold said.
“It is what it is. Unfortunately we have to suffer the consequences.”
After a laboured start to the World Cup against Tonga four days ago, England produced a more accomplished display consisting of seven tries and a dominant set piece.
“We’re pleased with where we are. After two games we have 10 points and have conceded one try,” Jones said.
“We’ve had two fantastic experiences in Sapporo and Kobe. We’re in a good position. Can we play better? Yes, we know we can, and we’ll be ready to play our next game against Argentina.
“We’ll have a short break and then focus on Argentina. We understand that they’re playing for their lives.
“They’re a passionate, proud rugby country, so it will be important that we match their passion and play with a fair bit of control and with smarts about the game. They’re a difficult team to beat.”
The match was played in oppressive humidity that took its toll on handling.
“The conditions were difficult. It was 27 degrees and 80% humidity,” Jones said. “You could feel it sitting in the grandstand, you had sweat dripping off you.
“The ball was hard to handle and there was maybe a period in the first half when we got seduced by the space and tried to play more of a passing game.” ITALY coach Conor O’Shea admitted the Hakatanomori Stadium surface made it difficult at scrum time in his side’s 48-7 World Cup victory over Canada but added that there was no further concern for player safety.
Ireland will play Samoa at the same venue on October 12 and the pitch looked to have cut up badly during the contest.
The former Ireland full-back (right) praised the general quality of the facilities in Japan but acknowledged the setpiece was affected in his side’s second game win of the tournament.
“The pitches have been amazing,” he said. “I think we knew yesterday, and Nigel (Owens, the referee) addressed it before the game, it happens in a lot of places, that scrums were going to be an issue.
“Our training pitch has been amazing, everything about it, but you could feel it in the bounce of the ball last night (at captain’s run)andyoucouldtellitwasgoing to make things difficult.
“We knew there were going to be some issues but the only big one was the scrums.”
Having now beaten both Namibia and Canada to begin their campaign, Italy have taken a maximum of ten points in their pool. Unfortunately for the Azzurri , their next two games are against the Springboks and then the All Blacks.
“We’ll see how we go in the next two matches,” added O’Shea. “We’ve already qualified for the next World Cup, which is huge, it was a goal.
“Four years ago in England it was 23-18 when we played Canada and today it was a huge win for us. Compared to that you can see this was a great victory and we have shown great progression.”
Les Rouges featured Dungannon native Peter Nelson at out-half, the former Ulster player having made his debut during the summer after qualifying through his Toronto-born grandmother.
Despite getting steamrollered for Italy’s first try, he was impressive from there on and created Canada’s sole try with a fine linebreak late on.
“He grew as the game went on,” said his coach Kingsley Jones. “He’s a really good footballer, he created the last try. What was pleasing was he took the game by the scruff of the neck.
“Pete really fronted and we’re really pleased with the way he’s progressing.”