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Italy player ratings vs Uruguay | Rugby World Cup 2023
Despite an almighty effort from their less fancied opposition in the first half, Italy have maintained their 100-per-cent win-rate in the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 38-17 win over Uruguay in Nice.
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A period of ill-discipline part way through the first half saw two men sent to the sin bin for the Azzurri and Los Terros profited, grabbing two tries. Come the half-time whistle, Uruguay held an impressive 17-7 lead.
Italy rallied in the second spell however, and some more incisive running eventually saw the team grab their second win -and second bonus point – from as many matches.
How did the Azzurri players rate in the victory?
1. Danilo Fischetti – 7/10
Did a number on his opposite every time they faced off at the scrum in the first half. Handed a yellow card for collapsing a maul which saw Uruguay grab a penalty try. Off in 68th minute.
2. Giacomo Nicotera – 7
Ever-accurate at the lineout and an always willing carrier of the ball, carting the ball up time after time. Came within a hair of grabbing a try from a driving maul. Off in 68th minute.
3. Marco Riccioni – 6
Tackled resolutely throughout and was a major part of a strong set-piece effort in the first half. Off in 50th minute.
4. Niccolo Cannone – 5
Outshone by his teammates. Not as industrious on defence and struggled against a strong Uruguayan wall. Sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes for killing the ball when Uruguay were hot on attack. Off in 50th minute.
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5. Federico Ruzza – 8
Signor Everywhere for Italy. Key at the lineouts, hit double digits on defence before the halftime hooter, and made a couple of nice runs with the ball. Prevented what looked like a certain try with some excellent work at the defensive maul.
6. Sebastian Negri – 6
Put in a couple of cracking hits on some unsuspecting Teros ball carriers. Penalised at the breakdown for a dangerous cleanout. Off in 60th minute.
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7. Michele Lamaro – 8
Led from the front in defence, hitting the big 20 before the 80 minutes was up. Scored a crucial try early in the second half to ensure his team stayed in touching distance of their opposition. Threw a fairly telegraphed pass that was picked up by Uruguay flyhalf Felipe Etcheverry and almost resulted in a try to Los Teros.
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8. Lorenzo Cannone – 7
Made a couple of impressive carries in the lead-up to captain Lamaro’s try. Banked one of his own when he muscled his way over out wide during Italy’s purple patch at the beginning of the second half. Off in 64th minute.
9. Alessandro Garbisi – 7
Some nice work on defence forced a fumble from his opposite early in the match, and Italy quickly profited from some nice counter-attacking play to earn themselves a five-metre scrum. Worked well as a link man when the Italy attack got flowing. Had a couple of yips at the back of the ruck. Left the field with two try assists to his name. Off in 60th minute.
10. Tommaso Allan – 8
Like many of his teammates. took a while to find his feet in the match. Penalised for a seatbelt tackle late in the first half. Uruguay scored their second try of the evening from the ensuing field possession. Showed good awareness to charge down a clearing kick from Etcheverry, and the resulting territory eventually saw Italy capitalise. Sparked a counter-attack moments later, with the Azzurri scoring soon after, to really wrestle back control of the game.
11. Montanna Ioane – 7
Put in a lovely hit on defence immediately following Uruguay’s first score to hand some momentum to his side. Had no issues getting his hands on the ball but, in contrast to the normal run of things, struggled to break the gainline – that is until he crashed over for a try in the 52nd minute to put his side back in the lead. Hustled his opposite on defence well in the second spell.
12. Paolo Garbisi – 8
Aggressive on both sides of the ball, making some solid hits on defence and putting his hand up to carry regularly in the midfield. Finished the match with a game-high 12 carries to his name. A key organiser for the Azzurri. Only negative was a fairly terrible drop goal attempt with time almost up on the clock.
13. Juan Ignacio Brex – 5
Relatively quiet throughout, popping up to grab a well-taken try in the second half but otherwise largely fading into the background.
14. Lorenzo Pani – 5
A nice charge at the line from a malfunctioning backline move saw Pani grab the first try of the game. Went silent after that. Left the field temporarily in the 30th minute.
15. Ange Capuozzo – 6
Made the kick and led the charge that eventually forced a red-zone scrum for Italy – and Italy’s first try. A couple of other dinks paid small dividends for the Azzurri but probably put boot to ball on one too many occasions when his side would have done well to retain possession.
Reserves:
16. Federico Zani – N/A
On in 68th minute. Fluffed his first lineout.
17. Ivan Nemer – 6
Asked to play both sides of the scrum. Temporarily on in 30th minute as a result of Fischetti’s yellow card. Was rightly sanctioned for a dumb late hit on No 6 when Italy had already been awarded the penalty. Joined as a permanent replacement in the 68th minute.
18. Pietro Ceccarelli – 5
On in 50th minute. A step down at the scrum and the game was largely won when he entered the fray.
19. Dino Lamb – 6
On in 50th minute. Made a couple of solid carries and hit the breakdown with intent.
20. Manuel Zuliani – 7
On in 60th minute. One nice steal at the breakdown gave his side some good attacking ball while his carry game was also strong.
21. Giovanni Pettinelli – N/A
On in 64th minute.
22. Alessandro Fusco – 6
On in 60th minute. Scampered around the field with intent.
23. Paolo Odogwu – N/A
On in 68th minute. Made a nice run as soon as he entered the field.
And don't forget Angus Gardner 10 for thinking everyone paid to watch him.