Italians end half century of pain at Aussies’ expense
Italy ended 49 years of hurt from Australia by upending the Wallabies 28-27 for the first time in test rugby yesterday.
Wallabies debutant Ben Donaldson could have denied Italy after the fulltime hooter but his attempted conversion of Cadeyrn Neville’s last-minute try flew wide.
Donaldson looked stunned as he was consoled by team-mates, while the Azzurri rushed to embrace each other in wild celebrations in front of more than 20,000 supporters in Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence.
Italy had lost all 18 previous contests with Australia dating to 1973.
‘‘So many amazing emotions, it’s an incredible victory,’’ Italy hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi said.
‘‘We felt we could do it from the first minute.
‘‘We went out on the field with the right spirit, we attacked and defended really well.’’
Most of the damage was done in the first half when Italy took full advantage of Jake Gordon’s yellow card in the 15th minute. Italy zipped in tries to wing Pierre Bruno and fullback Ange Capuozzo’s first of two. They built a 14-point lead and stayed in front.
France threw away a 13-0 lead against world champions South Africa then rallied to win a brutal encounter 30-26 in Marseille yesterday and complete a sweep of the southern hemisphere giants in the past year.
Fabien Galthie’s side dug deep once again a week after edging Australia by one point. Tighthead prop Sipili Falatea burrowed over with minutes left and fullback Thomas Ramos landed a last-gasp penalty to give Les Tricolores a national record-extending 12th straight win.
Prop Cyril Baille’s first-half try and perfect goalkicking from Ramos seemed to have the French in control.
But inspirational captain Siya Kolisi’s converted try and a penalty from winger Cheslin Kolbe dragged the Springboks back, despite them playing a man down after flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit’s red card in the 14th minute.
The numbers were evened when captain Antoine Dupont – the world player of the year – was red-carded in the 48th for clumsily taking out an airborne Kolbe. Kolbe landed on his neck, one of several bone-jarring moments in an intense encounter.
Wales reacted to humiliation from New Zealand by bringing Argentina down to earth in a tense 20-13 rugby victory yesterday.
The Welsh were criticised for not standing up to the All Blacks’ physicality the previous weekend in a heavy defeat, and responded with a tough, scrappy effort that had just enough golden moments to earn a third win in 10 tests this year.
England maintained their 100% record against Japan by scoring seven tries in a 52-13 win at Twickenham.