Player ratings: Azzurri in cruise control

Italy managed a comfortable 53-17 win over Russia in their World Cup Pool C match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, on Tuesday.

While the result, bonus point included, kept alive the Azzuri’s slim hopes of a quarterfinal spot, it was by no means as convincing as the scoreline suggests.

For large parts the Italians seemed to be in cruise mode, despite total dominance in the set-pieces – starting with a penalty in the opening scrum of the match.

What was really lacking from an Italian team – a far more experience and quality outfit than the Russians – was clinical finishing.

It was, however, a case of job done – and five points collected – but Azzurri coach Nick Mallett might not be all that happy in the final analysis.

Jan de Koning rates the Italian players:

15 Andrea Masi:
He was never really tested at the back and produced great clearance kicks when required. Was impressive with ball in hand; running into space and breaking tackles.
7/10

14 Giulio Toniolatti:
He showed that he is a quality finisher, and he must be applauded for accepting advice and converting himself from scrumhalf into a wing. Two great tries and some decent line breaks.
7/10

13 Tommaso Benvenuti:
A real mixed bag – poor presentation in the tackle resulted in a turnover and while he had plenty of opportunities with the ball in hand, failed to make a single line break. Did produce a great grubber for his try.
6/10

12 Matteo Pratichetti:
He showed some good hands, but defence was certainly not his best forte and he struggled to make any ground with ball in hand.
5/10

11 Luke McLean:
Some very good clearance kicks and strong with ball in hand – including helping set up a great try. He was stood up in defence by Vladimir Ostroushko, for Russia’s second try, but made up for it with a powerful surge down the right wing for his own try.
8/10

10 Riccardo Bocchino:
Poor day at the office – starting with missing his first penalty kick at goal. It did not get much better after that an d he eventually finished with four from seven. His out of hand kicking was not that flash either.
5/10

9 Edoardo Gori:
His service was not always snappy enough and he kicked often (the mist if the Italian backs), with limited success. However, he produced good assistance in the build-up to a couple of the Azzurri tries, particularly number six.
6/10

8 Sergio Parisse (captain):
Had a big game, as you come to expect from the captain – starting with him strolling through a huge hole for the opening try. He was involved in everything – great off-loads, strong runs, a line break and even a line-out steal.
8/10

7 Mauro Bergamasco:
You can’t fault his effort, as he did what was required of a Test-quality openside flank – often slowing down the opposition ball, sometimes illegally and sometimes getting away with it. But he was also caught out on occasion. Had a few good runs and plenty of tackles, missing only one.
6/10

6 Paul Derbyshire:
While it appeared he was the most quiet of the three loose forwards, it was on defence where he did most of his work – making 13 tackles and not slipping a single one. Isn’t that what you expect of your blindside flank?
7/10

5 Marco Bortolami:
Was solid in the line-outs, taking four from four on his own throws. But he made just four of the six tackles attempted and his work-rate was somewhat below par.
5/10

4 Quintin Geldenhuys:
Won the two line-outs thrown on him, was strong on defence by making nine tackles (which is what you come to expect from a South African player) and there was a really good kick-chase. Some good carries as well.
7/10

3 Lorenzo Cittadini:
A very good day at the office – starting with his powerful scrum performance, making decent ground with the ball in hand and putting his tackle count into double figures (although there was one slipped tackle).
7/10

2 Fabio Ongaro:
The veteran had a disappointing day at the office – resulting in a yellow card in the 32nd minute, after which he was replaced.
4/10

1 Salvatore Perugini:
His best work was in the scrums, but he also showed good hands for a prop with a couple of great off-loads. Also did not miss any tackles.
7/10

Replacements:

16 Tommaso D’Apice (on for Mauro Bergamasco, 36th min – the result of Ongaro’s yellow card – and then stayed on when Ongaro’s yellow card ran out early in the second half):
He gave nothing away in the scrums and produced some decent carries.
6/10

17 Martin Castrogiovanni (on for Salvatore Perugini, 47th min):
A couple of strong charges with the ball in hand, good hands and making all his tackles – showing that he is not just a set-piece player.
6/10

18 Cornelius van Zyl (on for Marco Bortolami, 47th min):
Produced a mixed bag – some good work in the mauls, but missed a tackle and had no line-outs thrown on him.
5/10

19 Alessandro Zanni (on for Sergio Parisse, 57th min):
Had a couple of decent runs with the ball in hand, but was clearly not in the league of his captain.
5/10

20 Pablo Canavosio (on for Edoardo Gori, 56th min):
Was a link, more than anything else, but had one sniping break.
6/10

21 Gonzalo Canale (on for Riccardo Bocchino, 72nd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

22 Alberto Sgarbi (on for Andrea Masi, 59th min):
Made no mistakes, but the game was over as a contest when he joined the fray and was required to make just one tackle – which he did.
6/10