Rugby: Italy demolish Russia in record victory

Rugby World Cup debutants score historic tries.

NELSON: Italy hammered debutants Russia 53-17 to keep their World Cup hopes alive with their biggest win in the rugby tournament.

Italy raced out of the blocks with six tries in the first half before Russia, who celebrated their historic first ever World Cup tries, recovered with a vastly improved second period. Italy coach Nick Mallet admitted that his team’s showing in the second half could have been better.

“We started the game very well,” said Mallet. “And then we got a bit loose and I made a lot of changes. But give Russia credit, they played some very nice, attacking rugby.”

Russia captain Vladislav Korshunov was happy at his team scoring their first tries in the World Cup.

“Our play wasn’t so good but I’m glad that we had some tries,” he said.

The first half started with Italy’s scrum savaging the Russian forwards and they capitalised on a host of errors as captain Sergio Parisse surged through a gap in the defence to open the scoring. Winger Giulio Toniolatti then scored twice in 10 minutes.

Italy were later awarded a penalty try when their forwards crushed a Russian scrum but they suffered a blow when Fabio Ongaro was sin-binned for a shoulder-first collision. Russia took full advantage when scrum-half Alexander Yanyushkin darted through for an over-the-head score after landing on his back in the tackle – the country’s first ever try at the World Cup, but Italy dominated most of the game to ensure a crucial win.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st,  2011.