Faletau fires back to freeze out Italy
WALES’S winter of discontent ended in victory thanks to the fabulous Taulupe Faletau. The No8 created two tries and was one of a few experienced heads who made sure they did not lose their minds against Italy.
When Wales were 18-17 down with 25 minutes to go, the knives would have been sharpening at the Welsh Rugby Union. But the imperious Faletau, tireless Justin Tipuric, nippy Gareth Davies and powerful George North made sure it was Italy who were frozen out in the Llanelli frost.
They were all integral for the tries. Kieran Hardy and Sam Parry scored one each with Davies, North and Tipuric adding the others. In the end, it was comfortable, if still riddled with errors. Italy had scores from Marco Zanon and Johan Meyer, as Paolo Garbisi kicked the rest.
Within 20 minutes Wales were 14-0 up. First Faletau fed Tipuric and the flanker burst through — with Hardy in support. The scrumhalf took the pass and rolled over for the try, which Sheedy converted. Then Parry was biffed over by Tomas Francis. Sheedy hit that one too, and all was rosy in the Welsh garden. Then Italy started sprouting green shoots of recovery.
The capitulation started when Garbisi kicked a penalty, then next time Italy returned to the Welsh 22 they scored a fine try. They set a crabbing maul before Carlo Canna grubber kicked in behind, which Zanon gathered and scored from.
That error by Wales was then compounded by sloppiness. Another penalty saw Josh Adams sin-binned and Garbisi slotted over the kick. Italy trailed by one at the break.
Sheedy kicked a penalty after half-time, but then the Italians ran riot. Down the wing went South African Meyer and he discarded Ioan Lloyd as if he was flicking away a piece of errant biltong before scoring. Italy were ahead.
The last 25 minutes were about Wales saving boss Wayne Pivac from the sack. Up step Davies. He took an excellent pass from Faletau and skated in for a converted try.
With 12 minutes left most of Wales’ worries went away, though. First North scored his 42st Wales try and then Tipuric went over. The flames flew at full time, but Wales are a long way from catching fire.