Wales end Italy's hopes
ByReuters
Published 25/10/2003 at 10:47 GMT
Wales qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday when they wore down a tired Italy to win 27-15 in their pool D match. Wales scored three tries to nil against a tired and bruised Italy side, who ran out of attacking ideas as well as energy in
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
The Azzurri, who have never reached the knockout phase of the World Cup, needed to beat Wales to qualify but go home having won two of their four pool matches, their best result at a World Cup.
Had Italy won Wales would have had to cause a major upset and topple favourites New Zealand, who have already qualified, next Sunday. The outcome of that match is now irrelevant with Wales on 13 points from three matches to Italy's eight points from four.
Winger Mark Jones, centre Sonny Parker and flanker Dafydd Jones crossed for Wales while all of Italy's points came from the boot of New Zealand-born flyhalf Rima Wakarua, who kicked five penalties.
Wales were forced to struggle to the end but could have won more comfortably had centre Iestyn Harris not missed three kickable penalties in the second half. Harris finished with 12 points from two penalties and three conversions.
COMPLAINT
Italy have complained bitterly that their demanding playing schedule was unfair and could cost them the chance of qualifying. Their inability to convert pressure into points was just as much to blame.
The Italians dominated territory and possession for large parts of the match but lacked attacking options in the face of stern Welsh defence.
Wales scored two of their tries in the first half, the second coming only a minute from the break and setting up what would prove to be an insurmountable 11-point lead at halftime.
That decisive try came Wales flyhalf Ceri Sweeney caught his opposite number Wakarua out of the defensive line.
Sweeney looped a long pass to Harris, who gave his centre partner Parker an easy run to the line.
Harris converted Parker's try from out wide for 20-9 halftime lead against a tiring Italian side.
Wales then delivered the killer blow when blindside flanker Daffyd Jones burst out of a maul to score in the 63rd minute.
Wales' first try was set up by their bruising defence. Winger Mark Jones hit Italian flanker Andrea de Rossi with a big tackle that forced a turnover.
The winger then fittingly scored after Wales attacked down the short side, with prop Duncan Jones throwing the final pass.
Duncan Jones was only on the field for another 15 minutes, the big Neath prop taken from the field on a stretcher with a damaged knee and ankle after falling awkwardly in a ruck.
Italy had plenty of chances to score in the first half but time and again the ball went to ground or was turned back into te ruck instead of going wide.
Wales' win avenged their 30-22 defeat by Italy in Rome in February which handed them the Six Nations' wooden spoon.
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