Player ratings: Azzurri too powerful

It was a case of job done for Nick Mallett’s Italian side as their scrum power helped them to a 27-10 World Cup Pool C win over the USA Eagles on Tuesday.

Without the power of Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Salvatore Perugini – the Italian front – the Azzurri would not have won this match.

They scrummed superbly whilst Castrogiovanni and Ghiraldini also showed up superbly in open play.

Azzurri captain Sergio Parisse also had his moments, but they will need to be a bit more creative if they are to have any chance of getting passed Ireland this coming and, thereby, securing a first-ever RWC quarterfinal place in the process.

For now, what we will say is, take a bow Martin Castrogiovanni!

We rate the Italian team:

15 Luke McLean:
Had a few decent runs on attack and wasn’t really tested on defence. A good enough showing without being overly threatening on attack.
6/10

14 Tommaso Benvenuti:
Didn’t have enough opportunities with ball in hand but did not let his team down. Came close to scoring early in the first half but just couldn’t control the ball over the goalline when he also had to contend with the touchline.
6/10

13 Gonzalo Canale:
Was part of the trio that missed a crucial tackle on hard-running American centre Paul Emerick for the Eagles’ try. Didn’t have enough opportunities on attack but was part of the decoy-running duo for Luciano Orquera’s try.
6/10

12 Gonzalo Garcia:
Another member of the ‘Missed Tackle Gang’ in the lead-up to Chris Wyles’s try and was also part of the decoy in the build-up to Orquera’s score. Didn’t do much wrong after missing Emerick; making 17 tackles – the top number along with lock Quintin Geldenhuys.
6/10

11 Mirco Bergamasco:
Strong on his feet and committed on defence. He kicked well at goal in the beginning, but then missed a few shots – two to be exact – later on. Went off injured late in the match – will be a worry for coach Mallett.
6/10

10 Luciano Orquera:
Along with the two Gonzalos – Canale and Garcia – was guilty of poor defensive work in the lead-up to the USA’s try. Took his try well, however, and made another nice run but couldn’t find his support players. The Azzurri will need more from him, as a general, against Ireland.
6/10

9 Fabio Semenzato:
Lively at the base of a powerful Italian scrum and used his boot well too (in particular that beautiful chip kick to the corner in the 34th minute). He was Italy’s best back, but unfortunately his teammates couldn’t do more with the quick ball he provided.
7/10

8 Sergio Parisse (captain):
Started brilliantly with a great try under the poles. An inspirational figure and a crucial man in that he adds some subtlety alongside the power of Castrogiovanni, Ghiraldini and Perugini. Made 12 tackles.
7/10

7 Mauro Bergamasco:
Two off-loads to top off a busy day but found the going tough against the committed American back row – in particular Eagles skipper Todd Clever. Tackled his heart out.
6/10

6 Alessandro Zanni:
Like Bergamasco he was watched closely by the Eagles back row. Wasn’t noticed too much, especially when compared to Parisse and Bergamasco, but didn’t do anything seriously wrong.
5/10

5 Cornelius van Zyl:
Started brightly with two classy passes in the lead-up to Parisse’s try. Was not as busy as his fellow South African lock mate, however. Made one handling error.
6/10

4 Quintin Geldenhuys:
Made an impressive 17 tackles. Was busy all night and wasn’t scared to get stuck in.
7/10

3 Martin Castrogiovanni:
Simply too strong for his opponents on the night. Scrummed superbly and showed up very well in open play – as always. Central to Italy’s scrum power and go-forward ball – scoring a try and playing a huge role in their (bonus point-clinching) penalty try – and also made seven tackles. Arguably the best tighthead prop in world rugby at present.
9/10

2 Leonardo Ghiraldini:
A powerful figure in the middle of the Italian scrum. Made two off-loads to show his skill, too. A great moment saw him and Castrogiovanni combine on the run – with a great pass in the tackle from each – as the Azzurri front row mixed things up.
8/10

1 Salvatore Perugini:
Scrummed powerfully and handled the ball well too. At the heart of a massive, massive scrummaging effort. Made seven tackles – the same amount as his propping partner.
8/10

Replacements:

16 Fabio Ongaro (On for Leonardo Ghiraldini, 73rd min):
Not enough time to be rated.

17 Andrea Lo Cicero (On for Salvatore Perugini, 50th min):
Replaced the impressive Perugini and there was no let up in scrummaging power during his stint as Italy claimed the penalty try when he was on.
7/10

18 Marco Bortolami:
Not used.

19 Paul Derbyshire (On for Mirco Bergamasco, 70th min):
Replaced the injured Bergamasco on the wing. Not enough time to be rated (and out of position).

20 Edoardo Gori (On for Fabio Semenzato, 67th min):
Not enough time – and opportunity – to be rated.

21 Riccardo Bocchino (On for Luciano Orquera, 67th min):
Not enough time – and opportunity – to be rated.

22 Giulio Toniolatti (On for Tommaso Benvenuti, 54th min):
Snuck onto the field in the middle of the second half. Was not in the action much. Made three tackles and had no opportunities with ball in hand.
5/10