Italy secured a bonus point in a battling 27-10 victory over a resilient United States on Tuesday, setting up the Pool C match against Ireland in five days' time to determine one Rugby World Cup quarterfinal spot.
The Italians gave a patchy performance at Trafalgar Park despite a glut of possession from a lop-sided 19-7 penalty count. Because of the Americans' tenacious scrambling defence, the Azzurri were forced to wait until the 66th minute for its fourth try and the bonus competition point from a penalty try.
Sergio Parisse, Luciano Orquera and Martin Castrogiovanni scored in the first half for Italy, while US fullback Chris Wyles scored a stunning first-phase try following Paul Emerick's bust from a lineout.
ITALY 27 (1 penalty try) (Martin Castrogiovanni, Luciano Orquera, Sergio Parisse tries Mirco Bergamasco 2 cons pen) def. USA 10 (Chris Wyles try con pen)
- AP
