Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

McKinley completes incredible journey to international rugby scene

Treviso and Italy fly-half Ian McKinley

Ian McKinley made his Italy debut, six years on from losing the sight in his left eye, as the Azzurri beat Fiji 19-10 in Catania on Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ireland-born fly-half McKinley, who was initially forced to retire after being injured in an on-field accident but subsequently revived his career with Treviso, came on as a second-half substitute and kicked an 80th-minute penalty to seal his adopted country’s win.

The two teams were level at half-time, but two Carlo Canna penalties edged Italy in front before McKinley rounded things off.

Both Italy and Fiji can expect stiffer tests next weekend when they face Argentina and Ireland respectively.

Italy twice moved ahead in the opening period on Saturday, only to be pegged back on each occasion.

Canna’s early three-pointer was cancelled out by Ben Volavola and Fiji responded in kind to Simone Ferrari’s try through highly-rated lock Leone Nakarawa.

Penalties then provided the only points of the second period as Italy prevailed against a team five places above them in the World Rugby rankings.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

28 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living' Nemani Nadolo: 'Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living'
Search