Italy see off Fiji to end losing streak

Italy got their end-of-year campaign off to an impressive start when they claimed a hard-fought 19-10 win over Fiji in Catania on Saturday.

The result is a significant one for the Azzurri as it is their first victory of 2017 and ends a nine-match losing streak which stretches back to their 19-17 loss to Tonga in Padova last November.

There was plenty of hype about this match in its build-up as both teams went into the fixture employing expansive game-plans, but although there was plenty of enterprising play during the first half, the Azzurri played more with their forwards after half-time and this helped them to secure the result.

Both sides scored a try apiece although Fiji conceded too many penalties in the second half which paved the way to victory for their hosts.

Italy took an early lead courtesy of a Carlo Canna penalty in the fifth minute after Fiji's backs were blown up for offside play close to their try-line.

The Azzurri held the upper-hand for the next 15 minutes but although they set up several attacks inside Fiji's half, they had no reward as they were met by a solid defensive effort from the Pacific isladers.

And in the 21st minute, the visitors drew level via a Ben Volavola penalty after Canna infringed at a ruck.  The Azzurri continued to attack and five minutes later, Simone Ferrari ran onto a Marcello Violi pass and barged over for the opening try.

Fiji thought they had their first try in the 35th minute when Josua Tuisova went over the try-line after he charged down an attempted clearance kick from Jayden Hayward deep inside Italy's 22.  The try was not awarded, however, as television replays showed that Tuisova lost control of the ball while crossing the whitewash.

That setback did not prove too costly though as on the stroke of half-time, Leone Nakarawa burst through a tackle from Sergio Parisse, just outside Italy's 22, and the Fijian lock showed a superb turn of speed to outpace the cover defence before dotting down next to the uprights.

Volavola added the extras which meant the sides were deadlocked at 10-10 at the interval.

The Azzurri were fastest out of the blocks after the break when, from a Fijian lineout on their five-mete line, Canna, who was standing in the scrum-half position, came around at the set-piece and ripped the ball from Apisalome Ratuniyarawa's grasp before dotting down.

Like Tuisova's effort earlier, referee John Lacey checked with his TMO, Neil Paterson, who ruled correctly that Canna came from an offside position.

But despite that ruling, Italy got stronger as the match progressed while Fiji faded badly.  Two Canna penalties in the 52nd and 58th minutes, gave the hosts a six-point cushion which meant the visitors had to take more risks in the final quarter.

But things went from bad to worse when Volavola was sent to the sin bin for a cynical foul at a ruck in the 65th minute.  That meant the visitors were under the cosh for the rest of the match and Italy sealed their win courtesy of a penalty from debutant Ian McKinley, two minutes before full-time.

The scorers:

For Italy:
Try:  Ferrari
Con:  Canna
Pens:  Canna 3, McKinley

For Fiji:
Try:  Nakarawa
Con:  Volavola
Pen:  Volavola
Yellow Card:  Volavola

Italy:  15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Tommaso Boni, 12 Tomasso Castello, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Abraham Steyn, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Dean Budd, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Andrea Lovotti
Replacements:  16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Lazzaroni, 20 Giovanni Licara, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Ian McKinley, 23 Matteo Minozzi

Fiji:  15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12 Jale Vatubua, 11 Timoci Nagusa, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Nemani Nagusa, 7 Akapusi Qera (c), 6 Semi Kunatani, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 4 Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, 3 Manasa Saulo, 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Campese Ma’afu
Replacements:  16 Sunia Koto, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Ropate Rinakama, 19 Sikeli Nabou, 20 Mosese Voka, 21 Henry Seniloli, 22 Levani Botia, 23 Vereniki Goneva

Referee:  John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant referees:  Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), Pierre Brousset (France)
TMO:  Neil Paterson (Scotland)