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Italy advance to the quarter-finals of the women's Rugby World Cup for the first time
By AAP
Italy have advanced to the quarter-finals of the women's Rugby World Cup for the first time in their history with a 21-8 win over Japan in Pool B in Auckland.
The Italians join hosts and defending champions New Zealand as well as Canada, England, France and Australia in booking their place in the competition's last eight.
Melissa Bettoni's 78th minute try sealed the victory after Michela Sillari scored two second half penalties as Andrea Di Giandomenico's side moved past a resilient Japanese side, who exit the tournament with a third consecutive loss.
The Italians went in front with nine minutes on the clock, Aura Muzzo bursting down the left flank before being stopped short of the line by the Japanese defence, only for Maria Magatti to pick up possession and score.
But the Japanese responded with 10 minutes remaining in the half when, after a sustained period of pressure deep in the Italian half, Kyoko Hosokawa sidestepped her way past the defence to cross the line.
Sillari slotted her penalty between the posts with three minutes remaining in the half to give the Italians a slender lead at the interval.
Japan pulled level again through Ayasa Otsuka's penalty nine minutes after the resumption but Sillari's successful kicks in the 54th and 67th minutes gave the Italians a fragile advantage.
Hooker Bettoni powered over with two minutes remaining to put the result beyond doubt and take her team into the next round of the competition.
Canada confirmed themselves as winners of Pool B with a 29-14 victory over the United States in Auckland.
Early scores from Emily Tuttosi and Alex Tessier put Canada in control and, although Alev Kelter reduced the deficit in the 19th minute, Paige Farries' try gave Kevin Rouet's team a 19-7 lead at halftime.
Olivia DeMerchant scored on the hour mark to earn the Canadians a bonus point and Mikiela Nelson dived over the line in the final seconds as her team guaranteed they will be seeded higher than England in the next round.
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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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