Poms edge brave Italy

Poms edge brave Italy

14 Feb 2010

England were unconvincing 17-12 winners over Italy in Rome.

After England’s surprise win over Wales last week, their critics had called for a more attack-orientated game, especially from pivot Jonny Wilikinson. Similarly, Italy had been criticised for their unimaginative style, but in the opening half the Azzurri were the more positive side.

No 8 Alessandro Zanni was influential and although they didn’t manage to score tries, their endeavour resulted in two penalties from wing Mirco Bergamasco.

England were unsuccessful in their quest to cross the whitewash but their best chance came in the last move of the half, when Riki Flutey broke from his own half, but was pulled down on the opposition 22. The Italians eventually snuffed out the move, but not before Wilkinson – who had uncharacteristically earlier missed two attempts at goal – knocked over the penalty to level the scores 6-all at the break.

Finally the visitors broke the drought two minutes into the second half. Slick handling from the England backs and then No 8 Nick Easter put Mathew Tait away down the left touchline, and his pace meant he evaded the cross cover to score the only try of the match. England began to dominate and the Italians began to wilt under the pressure.

Martin Castrogiovanni was then yellow-carded for a cynical infringement on their own line, but being down a man spurred the hosts into life. This 10-minute period again highlighted England’s attacking deficiencies and poor ball retention as they only scored three points, with the Italians dominating possession and scoring three of their own.

With momentum swinging in their favour, the Italians continued their onslaught and Bergamasco narrowed the lead to just two with nine minutes remaining. The home crowd truly believe their greatest ever upset was on.

Wilkinson may have failed to ignite his side on attack – again taking the ball deep behind the advantage line – but he did silence the spectators with a trademark drop-goal to restore the cushion.

By Grant Ball


129 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

  • 1.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:29 pm

    ENGLAND – Go you Dragons.. :-)

  • 2.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:30 pm

    what’s with these Poms? Why do they always sing ‘God save our team’?

    chill it is only Italy.

  • 3.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:32 pm

    Broer – ***

  • 4.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:33 pm

    @RedLion: Bwahahahah…..Never heard that version before!

  • 5.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:34 pm

    suster?

  • 6.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:38 pm

    Gower, Geldenhuys nice Italian names those are.

  • 7.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:39 pm

    @RedLion: Mallet also a great Italian name too….

  • 8.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:40 pm

    Wilkinson scores…

  • 9.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:40 pm

    Let’s hope Johnny remains ‘unbroken’ for the rest of the match!

  • 10.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:41 pm

    3-3 Grrrrr

  • 11.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:42 pm

    Come on Italy!

  • 12.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:43 pm

    cmon the Italians…

  • 13.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:45 pm

    One pommie has a bleeding nose already:-)

  • 14.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:46 pm

    @poppa69: Why Italy Poppa? :-(

  • 15.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:46 pm

    @Michael: did he get the actions of the haka wrong??

    and Carol, the over reliance on an aging Johhny is going to hurt you guys come 2011..

  • 16.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:47 pm

    @carol: Any team playing England:-)

    Italy have a Saffie coach and are neighbours to Malta, where my partner is from. That’s my excuse:-)

  • 17.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:47 pm

    @carol: its a kiwi thing, we all love the underdog… plus, as an added bonus, it would be fun to rile up Big Hit.. :D

  • 18.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:48 pm

    @poppa69: ROFLMAO. Good one!

    The forward emerged from a rough ruck with a bloodied nose;-)

  • 19.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:48 pm

    @carol: Johnny is still the best, yes he owns Carter.

  • 20.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:48 pm

    Dammit. Penalty 2 for England. Bet Wilko will slot it.

  • 21.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:49 pm

    @RedLion: Yup. Carter is Johnny’s *****.

  • 22.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:49 pm

    WWOOOWWWW. Wilko MISSED.

  • 23.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:50 pm

    @poppa69: A bit like the Saffas needing Percys boot to make them shine at the world cup!! :-)

    Amazed our broken Jonny is back on the pitch frankly!

  • 24.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:50 pm

    @carol: as much as I cheer for them Carol, I know England should win this and quite comfortably too..

    @RedLion: hmmmm thought you liked kiwi flyhalves, havent you been singing the praises of the one your team brought?? hahaha

  • 25.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:51 pm

    @Michael: Hey Michael, to make your smileys work you need to put a space between the last letter and the : !!

    So everyone is against me here Mmmmmm!!

  • 26.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:52 pm

    @carol: The underdog on the site, or should that be under-bulldog ;-)

  • 27.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:52 pm

    There is alot of facial hair on the Italian side…..

  • 28.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:53 pm

    and probably the ladies armpits too!! :neutral:

  • 29.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:53 pm

    @carol: but Im sure you’d never boot Percy :wink:

    must credit Johnny for his resilience and determination to come back.. a tough Englishmen, now thats an enigma wrapped in a riddle :lol:

  • 30.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:54 pm

    Wilko missed again from right in front!

  • 31.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:54 pm

    Hell, Wilkinson misses AGAIN !!

  • 32.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:55 pm

    @carol: Naahhh. Italian ladies are stunning :-)

    @poppa69: Martin and Wilko’s determination and winning habits are so unEnglish-like :-)

  • 33.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:55 pm

    @Michael: @26, nope, if Carol had her way it would be the under-percy lol

  • 34.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:55 pm

    @Michael: Brian Moore is the epitomy of the English Bulldog….The chewing wasps face!

  • 35.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:57 pm

    @poppa69: I am suffering Percy withdrawal now…..He appears at the occasional charity golf event but basically I think he just haunts the Camps Bay coffee bars and runs erands for Tasmin!

  • 36.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:57 pm

    Baahhhhhhhhhhhhh

  • 37.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:58 pm

    @Michael: agree on the Italian ladies, much like Sth American woman..

    Still snowing in the Cotswolds Carol?

  • 38.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:58 pm

    @carol: Egads. Moore had the face which only his dead great-grandmother could love.

  • 39.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:58 pm

    @Michael: Italian ladies, are they less hirsute these days?

  • 40.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 16:59 pm

    @poppa69: :oops: really !! Heheheh
    Don’t think I’m Percys type!!

  • 41.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:00 pm

    @poppa69: More snow forecast for this week!!
    What’s it like with you?

  • 42.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:03 pm

    Nick Easter looks spookily like Luke Watson!!

  • 43.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:03 pm

    @carol: lots of rain and humidity.. and its been coming down hard too.

    wouldnt know what Percy’s type is, havent even seen his wife.. though have heard she is easy on the eyes.

    Italy must be making a good account of themselves, half hour into it and scores are still level..

  • 44.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:03 pm

    @carol: I thought Pietersen from the Stormers looked a little like a young Percy…

  • 45.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:05 pm

    @carol: Their proportions are lovely. Beautifully curvy. Same as in Malta.

    @poppa69: Only not as tall and not as well built.

  • 46.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:06 pm

    YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 47.carol: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:07 pm

    6- 3 to Italy….

  • 48.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:07 pm

    6-3 up!

  • 49.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:08 pm

    Italy ahead, this could be worse then the loss to Argentina last year…

  • 50.Michael: Reply to this comment
    14 Feb 2010, 17:09 pm

    @poppa69: The arrogant BBC commentators are strangely quiet now:-)

Pages: [1] 2 3 » Show All

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.