U19 2007 RWC - USA Dream ends at Queens
16 Apr 2007
Italy stormed their way to the Division B final with a 31–6 win against the USA at the IRB Under 19 World Championship 2007.
The match at Queen’s was incredibly physical with lots of hard hitting throughout and it was the USA who scored the first points of the match.
With eight minutes gone USA fly half Hamish Roberts held his nerve after missing a previous kick to give the USA a 3–0 lead.
Italy where quick to bounce back and only five minutes later won the ball close to the USA line. The ball was spread out to the wing and Andrea Pratichetti beat the last defender to score.
Riccardo Bocchino, who had an excellent game, slotted the conversion from the right touch line to make the game 7–3.
The remainder of the first half was extremely close with both sides fighting for territory and neither team threatening to score any tries.
Last minute penalty
In the last minute of the half the USA won a penalty in front of the posts and Hamish Roberts stepped up to make the score 7-6 to Italy at half time.
If the first half was tense and defensive the second half was a lot more open, with the Italians becoming more creative in attack.
Five minute into the second half flanker Simone Favaro had the strength to reach out from a tackle to sore Italy’s second try, which Bocchino converted yet again to give Italy the momentum to take the game away from the USA.
Italy’s lead was increased just four minutes later when captain and centre Alberto Chiesa scored another try which Bocchino added to with the conversion.
The USA tried to get into back into the match but effective Italian defence pressured the USA back line, which couldn’t find a way through for a try.
Bocchino kicked a penalty to put the game out of reach of the USA and two minutes from the final whistle Chiesa scored a fantastic break away try to record his second try and cap an excellent performance.
The result means Italy now face Canada in the Division B final, whilst the USA will play Georgia in the third place playoff.
QUOTES
Italy head coach Stefano Romagnoli: “I’m happy. It was a good result and hopefully we can win the final. America are strong and physical. The final won’t be easy, I’ll have to think.”
Italy flanker Alex Leo: “We’ve come on leaps and bounds. We watched videos and attacked some areas. We got the ball wider and used flair to raise the game. Hopefully we’ll pick up from the second half and take it through to the final.”
USA captain Scott Lavalla: “We lacked depth in attack and our defence was a little soft. We let our guard down for five minutes and they gave us the one-two punch. I said to the guys after the game, ‘it’s not often you can go 4–1 in a World Cup’ so we’ll take the game against Georgia like a final.”
USA head coach Salty Thompson: “We’ve got another game. Credit to Italy they deserved to win with the second half performance. They ran good lines and played better defence. They opened up some gaps in us that other teams hadn’t.”
