Italy break 31-year drought by dispatching Romania in Bucharest
Italy have beaten Romania for the first time in 31 years away after defeating the Oaks 45-13 at Arcul de Triumf.
Romania, confirmed this week in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, started strong and led 6-5 on Friday.
But Italy asserted themselves just before halftime with two tries in two minutes to zip ahead 19-6.
Four more tries, and a second for centre Tommaso Menoncello, gave Italy their first win since 1991 in Romania and only their third victory away there.
Oaks flanker Vlad Neculau was sent off late for a high tackle on Renato Giammarioli, but they finished with a consolation try to replacement prop Alexandru Savin.
Italy retained only three players after struggling past Portugal 38-31 in Lisbon last weekend, but won a third straight Test. The Italians finish their summer tour against Georgia in Batumi next weekend.
Menoncello scored Italy's first try but Florin Vlaicu, playing his 129th Test and first since March 2021, kicked two penalties to put the hosts in front.
Italy squandered two attacking lineouts and missed a penalty from Tommaso Allan, making his first start since February 2020, but the flyhalf scored a try working off No.8 Toa Halafihi and debut scrumhalf Alessandro Garbisi.
A minute later, prop Ivan Nemer broke with support from hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi and lock Niccolo Cannone went over.
After the interval, a break by wing Pierre Bruno was finished by Garbisi, the younger brother of regular flyhalf Paolo, who joined him in the 58th minute.
An Ange Capuozzo counterattack led to Menoncello's second try, while Allan set up a try for midfielder Marco Zanon before replacement hooker Giacomo Nicotera went over.
Allan finished with 15 points and Italy recorded their second biggest margin against Romania.
Romania head to Uruguay for two Tests in Montevideo.
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My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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