Italy 37 Romania 17

Date:  18 Nov 2000
Venue:  Benevento
Attendance:  3260
Referee:  Jutge j.

Despite a run of poor form, Italy pulled off a fine 37-17 win over Romania in Benevento to give their beleaguered Kiwi coach Brad Johnstone a shot in the arm.

In a much improved performance from last week's 22-17 defeat by Canada at Rovigo, Italy, who scored seven tries to Romania's two, will now approach next week's Genoa meeting with mighty New Zealand in much better shape.

The victory was built on the successful half-back pairing of scrum-half Alessandro Troncon and stand-off Ramiro Pez and only dreadful kicking by Italy -- who managed to put just one conversion between the posts -- prevented a more humiliating scoreline for the visitors.

Troncon was recalled for this match by Johnstone who had hitherto refused to pick the Montferrand player since the Six Nations Championship because he had snubbed a summer tour of the south Pacific.

The New Zealander had no doubts about the number nine's ability -- he admits he is the best player at his disposal -- but after Troncon's replacement against Canada Filippo Frati was clearly out of his depth Johnstone decided to swallow his pride and recall the player.

But there was also some encouraging work by the forwards who have benefited from the advice of Johnstone, a prop when he played for the All Blacks.

The front three of Andrea Lo Cicero, hooker and skipper Alessandro Moscardi and Andrea Muraro are beginning to look a formidable unit -- Italy have traditionally struggled in the scrum and line-out.

And the first-half saw all three Italian tries come from the forwards.  Flanker Carlo Caione grabbed a brace and tight-head prop Lo Cicero one as the hosts romped to a 15-3 interval lead with only a Petre Mitu penalty in reply.

In the second period it was the turn of Italy's backs to prosper and a minute after the resumption Giovanni Raineri crossed the line, shortly followed by another touchdown, this time by Pez.

Luca Martin got in on the act after 55 minutes with his try converted by Giacomo Preo -- Italy's only successful conversion -- to make it 32-3.

That finally stirred Romania into life and Erdinci Septar grabbed his side's first try, converted by Mitu.

Troncon then snatched the try he had deserved before Vasile Ghioc came up with a late touchdown, also converted by Mitu, to give the score a semblance of respectability for Romania.