Awful Irish edge Azzuri
2 Feb 2008
Nick Mallett’s Italy gave a spirited display but were ultimately beaten 16-11 at Croke Park.
Azzuri fullback David Bortolussi slotted an important penalty in the 70th minute to pick up the bonus point, but had he not missed an earlier penalty and conversion it may have been a different ball game. Ronan O’Gara also missed a penalty in the dying minutes, a goal which would have shut the Italians out. Fortunately for the hosts, Italy’s final attack came to nought.
It was a forgettable first quarter for the Italians. Their scrumming was poor and they lacked intensity at the breakdown. Halfbacks Andrea Masi and Pietro Travagli struggled to generate any go forward as a result, and the backline defending was woeful as Irish players fond ample space out wide and scrumhalf Eoin Reddan sniped around the fringes. O’Gara piled on the pressure through several cross kicks, one which Andrew Trimble regathered and offloaded to Girvan Gempsey for the first try.
This is not to say it was a pretty performance by the men in green. They spurned early opportunities through sloppy handling and their line-out looked a mess without lock Paul O’Connell or hooker Jerry Flannery. After obtaining a 10-0 lead, they won a player-advantage through the sin-binning of Italian lock Santiago Dellapé. However, it was the visitors who benefitted from this instance, going to the shed having closed the gap to 10-3.
The shoddy Irish hands continued in the second stanza, and to compound matters flanker Simon Easterby was yellow-carded in the 49th minute. The Italians failed to capitalise, but gained in confidence as the match wore on, scoring from a rolling maul through captain Sergio Parisse. Unfortunately for the visitors, they were unable to threaten the Ireland defence with any regularity.
Apart from their limp overall start to the Six Nations coach Eddie O’Sullivan will have to do without Gordon D’Arcy for the rest of the tournament. The Irish centre left the field in the first period and it was later confirmed he had suffered a stress fracture to his forearm. Although Mallet will concede his side require plenty of work, the same could be said for O’Sullivan’s. Ireland can forget about their Six Nations or Grand Slam ambitions if they continue to operate at this mediocre level.
Ireland - Tries: Girvan Dempsey. Conversion: Ronan O’Gara. Penalties: O’Gara (3).
Italy – Try: Sergio Parisse. Penalties: David Bortolussi (2).
13 Comments
2 Feb 2008, 18:25 pm
I think Kaplan has become an IRB hind kisser. I used to rate him but he blew Italy out of the game in the 1st 20min. Italy were very unlucky not to get several penalties etc.
Looks like Mallet is not doing too badly and looks like Eddie has not done anything out of the ordinary since the WC.
2 Feb 2008, 19:18 pm
The Irish were woeful. One dimensional rugby. No originality and finesse. Just a boring Eddie O’Sullivan yawn.
My ancestors up in the sky over that wonderful 40-shades-of-green-island were not happy.
Agree with you Mellowyellow… Kaplan was a bit harsh on the Italians in the first 20 mins.
It’s early days but Ireland need to change things in their game plan if they are to push France and England…they have become stale and easy to read.
2 Feb 2008, 19:24 pm
England are looking pretty sharp against Wales at the moment f.h.
2 Feb 2008, 19:26 pm
What do Italy need to do to become real contenders, possible winners of the 6N?
There defence was pretty awful first half & could easily have been 3 or more scores down.
2 Feb 2008, 19:30 pm
Must say England were all over Wales in the first half……. pretty basic rugby but impressive option taking & structure to their game.
Freegin DSTV breaking up every few seconds due to the weather is pee-ing me off.
2 Feb 2008, 19:37 pm
I thought that Wales made England look good
2 Feb 2008, 19:38 pm
wat die donner maak die Shane Williams op sy eie lyn?
2 Feb 2008, 20:01 pm
game becoming scrappy wales getting a whiff of English blood.
2 Feb 2008, 20:04 pm
Try Wales!! 19-17 kick to come.
2 Feb 2008, 20:06 pm
try Wales 24-19!!
2 Feb 2008, 20:08 pm
kick over hook hasn’t missed all night 26-19
2 Feb 2008, 20:12 pm
Looks like England are going to lose their first 6N test at home to a resurgent Wales, poor showing England. Good scrapping Wales.
3 Feb 2008, 22:19 pm
Boele suck!
Engeland suck!
Ierland en Italie suck!
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