Late try clincher for Italians

ITALY 18 TARANAKI 13

Taranaki's hopes of claiming an international scalp were torpedoed by a late intercept try in New Plymouth tonight.

The try gave the touring Italians a 15-13 lead and two minutes later a penalty goal sealed their victory.

With time ticking away, and Taranaki ahead 13-10, Italian first five-eighth Ramiro Pez latched on to a loose pass and scooted 70m for the try to sink the home side.

Two minutes later, Pez kicked the penalty goal after Taranaki winger Matt Harvey got himself into all sorts of bother.

The result squared the ledger for Italy on their two-week tour at two wins and two losses.

The fifth and final match is against Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday.

Taranaki should have won the match. They dominated possession and territory, and with a 13-10 lead with 10 minutes remaining, should have put the tourists away.

The home side ran hot and cold and showed there was plenty of room for improvement before the start of the NPC.

Taranaki's best chance at sealing the win in front of a 6000-strong crowd came midway through the second half when Italian lock Marco Bortolami was sent to the sin bin by referee Lyndon Bray, of Wellington.

A lineout near the Italian line after a penalty turned to pasta when lock Paul Tito was isolated and lost the ball, and then a scrum against the seven-man Italian pack went horribly wrong.

The Italians showed plenty of fighting spirit while Bortolami was cooling off and no damage was done.

Pez was the general of the Italian backline, controlling play superbly, while out wider, centre Andrea Masi sliced through the Taranaki defence for an early try.

Taranaki's best forwards were their Hurricanes Super 12 loosies, Brent Thompson and Chris Masoe, while Chiefs winger Shayne Austin picked up a good try with a chip and chase.

Italy 18 (A. Masi, R. Pez tries; Pez con, 2 pen) Taranaki 13 (S. Austin try; M. Urwin con, 2 pen). HT: 7-10.

- NZPA