Rugby, Italy enchants a time, then South Africa spreads: it ends 61-23

GENOA — Italy lost, but for a time and something they gave away the most beautiful, adventurous and fun game of recent years and also of this special November, in which the important victories over Samoa and Australia arrived. The world champions of South Africa (21-63) won, as was to be expected, but a little too widely. In any case, Lamaro and his team offered an exciting oval day in a crowded, enthusiastic stadium. Fighting to the last, honoring the memory of Marco Bollesan, the Genoese champion, the “lion with a sgherra face”. Even the Azzurri have been lions for a long time: two spectacular tries (one by the elusive Ange Capuozzo, the blue angel; the second by another very young man, the herculean Lorenzo Cannone), many tackles with a rocky Brex to give the example, above all a desire to attack like never before. Nine tries to two is too heavy a waste and a lie. The Springboks have proven to be stronger, but not on another planet. And the final balance of November is the best encouragement in view of the next Six Nations

The “angelic” Capuozzo and an infinite goal

Italy immediately tries to start boldly playing the oval in hand in their 22 meters, but a horrible pass triggers the Springbok attack which from an initial phase – on a lineout from 25 meters throws Arendse in the goal on the flag. The Azzurri shorten soon with a free-kick by Allan but a tackle without the ball by Nicotera gives back space in the score to the guests. And it’s when the game restarts that a try to be framed blossoms: Bruno quickly plays a throw-in, the oval literally flies up to Ioane, another meeting point then Lamaro slaps Varney’s pass for Capuozzo on the fly: and the extreme mercurial with a baby face invents one of his endless runs, going to score to the applause of an audience agape for so much beauty.

Mbonambi scores, but how many doubts

It’s not over yet: Lorenzo Cannone provokes a “held” and Allan extends the score from 41 metres, then the fray – with Fischetti a warrior! – fixes Varney’s blocked kick. Too bad that another foul allows Kolbe to shorten the distance. In the half hour, after Brex has tackled anything higher than the grass from a penaltouche Mbonambi comes off who – according to referee Carley – scores: in reality the hooker, opposed by Morisi, makes a double flick. But in rugby you never protest. The Azzurri closed the first half down by 5 points but it’s not fair, because in terms of the game and the fight (with a monumental Lorenzo Cannone) they were at least on par with the world champions.

Morisi, a distraction that costs dearly

It starts again in the best way, with a free-kick from Allan after another run from Capuozzo and a bestial work from our forwards. But it’s an illusion, because after the restart Morisi gets the ball blown by Kolbe who scores (and gets injured). The Springboks take advantage of the Azzurri’s moment of loss and score again on the flag, but from the opposite side of the field, with Arendse. Kwagga Smith, as soon as he enters, plunges the knife into the wound. In 10 minutes it’s a terrible partial (0-19) and a real shame: fatigue begins to take over among the Italians, the others smell the prey and pick up the pace.

Lorenzo Cannone scores, then the Springboks spread

Menoncello suddenly opens a hole in the South African defense: it’s finally another splendid blue action, with Allan kicking a cross for Ioane, Lorenzo Cannone is in support and with him Ferrari. With the pylon stopped a few centimeters from the goal line, Lorenzo Cannone still took care of it. South Africa regained their strength, and Kitshoff scored under the posts. Padovani was injured a few minutes after entering, our team’s game slipped away like sand between the fingers: another try from Willemse. Our team tries again and they arrive very close to scoring, however the referee and the guests’ experience change the script: another try, this time by Reinach. That’s enough. We close the November series very tired, but it was an autumn to be proud of.

Italy-South Africa 21-63 (13-18)
Scorers: 2′ pt try Arendse, 8′ and 21′ cp Allan, 10′ and 26′ cp Kolbe, 12′ try Capuozzo tr Allan, 30′ try Mobonambi tr. Kolbe; 5′ st cp Allan, 6′ try Kolbe, 9′ try Arundse tr. Willemse, 16′ try Smith tr. Libbok, 23′ try Marx, 26′ try Lorenzo Cannone, 29′ try Kitshoff tr. Libbok, 33′ try Willemse tr Libbok, 39′ try Reinach tr. Libbok
Italy: Capuozzo – Bruno (from 26′ to 30′ st Padovani), Brex, Morisi (10′ st Menoncello), Ioane – Allan, Varney (20′ st Alessandro Garbisi) – Lorenzo Cannone, Lamaro, Negri (10′ st Zuliani) – Ruzza (27′ st Sisi), Niccolò Cannone – Ceccarelli (1′ st Ferrari), Nicotera (1′ st Lucchesi), Fischetti (10′ st Nemer).
South Africa: Leroux – Kolbe (7’st Libbok), de Allende, Esterhuizen, Arendse – Willemse, de Klerk (26′ st Reinach) – Wiese, Mostert, Kolisi – Orie (10′ st Smith), Moerat (4′ st Etzebeth) – Malherbe (10′ st Kitshoff), Mbonambi (10′ st Marx), Nche (10′ st Kock).
Referee: Carley (Eng)
Note: spectators 26,400