Italy 28-27 Australia: Ange Capuozzo scores brace of tries
Italy 28-27 Australia: Ange Capuozzo scores twice in stunning display as Azzurri secure their first EVER victory over Australia with success in Autumn Nations Series
- Ange Capuozzo made a significant impact as Italy won against Australia
- Italy claimed a historic first ever victory over Australia at the 19th attempt
- Replacement flyhalf Ben Donaldson missed a crucial late chance for Australia
Livewire fullback Ange Capuozzo scored a brace of tries as Italy claimed a historic first ever victory over Australia at the 19th attempt with a 28-27 triumph in Florence on Saturday.
Replacement flyhalf Ben Donaldson had the chance to convert a late Australian score for the win, but put his effort wide of the posts to signal jubilant celebrations from the Italian players.
Winger Pierre Bruno also scored a try for home side, who were full value for the victory and might have won by a greater margin had they not missed out on 14 points with kickable penalties and conversions.
Ange Capuozzo scored a brace of tries as Italy got their first ever victory against Australia
Australia scored tries through winger Tom Wright, flanker Fraser McReight, prop Tom Robertson and lock Cadeyrn Neville, but gave away too many penalties through indiscipline and were poor on their own set-piece when in attacking positions.
‘It means a lot for the boys, they grafted hard all game and we dug deep,’ Welsh-born Italy scrumhalf Stephen Varney said at the post-match presentation.
‘We are building well, we have very good coaches. We are proud to be part of this team and have great leaders.’
Flyhalf Ben Donaldson missed the chance to convert a late Australian score for the win
‘Capuozzo is an amazing payer, he has turned up all year and put in strong performances. I’m really happy for him.’
The loss compounded a miserable year for Australia in which they have lost eight tests, piling the pressure on head coach Dave Rennie 10 months out from the World Cup in France next year.
They face Ireland next Saturday and complete their autumn series against Wales. Italy host South Africa.
Tom Wright scored a try for Australia but his side suffered a defeat against Italy
The Wallabies came up against a fired-up Italy, who have been much improved since New Zealand-born coach Kieran Crowley took charge and they matched their visitors in the physical battle and applied pressure on their set-piece.
The visitors were not accurate enough when they did have chances to score, notably from attacking line-outs having turned down relatively simple shots at goal from penalties.
The Italy players are jubilant after their historic first victory against Australia was confirmed
Discipline has been the Wallabies’ Achilles heel this year and it was again the case as they gave away 16 penalties and had a yellow card for scrumhalf Jake Gordon.
Italy, who led 17-8 at halftime, scored two of their three tries while he was in the sin-bin.
But despite their poor performance, Australia might still have won it when Neville crossed for a try after the hooter, but Donaldson could not direct his pressure conversion on target
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