In the Summer Tour the Azzurri, widely reworked because of 7 accidents, react strongly in the second half. But in the house of the world champions they must surrender
Given the assumptions it was easy to think of a massacre, with South Africa in formation type against an Italy widely remodeled between injuries (7) and players kept at rest: in Pretoria the world champions pass 42-24 against the blues (6 destinations at 3) which however keep the field well and offer above all a great reaction in the second half, with 3 destinations and a courageous performance that provides very positive signals in Gonzalo. Questa. The SpringBoks do what they owe in the first half, taking 28-3 against an Italy that in addition to defending it seems to be able to do nothing, then in the second half Zuliani (the best of the blues) immediately marks a destination, Rassie Erasmus inserts the usual “Bomb Squad” but does not get the hoped for effect because the blues respond a hit, marking another 2 times. Clear, in these conditions you could not aspire to more than a good performance, but this had asked for a competitive game and to Pretoria. Saturday 12 July is replicated in Port Elizabeth, still against the Springboks.
Assault
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The match is exactly what was expected: an assault. South Africa puts a furious pressure to the Azzurri on every occasion: fray (always dominant), touch, meeting points. For Italy it is practically impossible to build an action, it can only be defended and does it well, and in the end the first destination comes only on a soccer by De Allende who sends Kriel (which starts offside, but for Hollie Davidson it is all good) to crush the 7-0. When the Azzurri try to put their noses out there is no way to put the Springboks in difficulty, the first sign of failure arrives at the end: Lorenzo Cannone interrupts a dangerous action by South Africa with a foul and takes yellow, the Springboks call Mischia and bring the blue package to the center of the posts, 14-0. From King the distances from the pitch is shortened and removes the “0” from the box of the blue points, but on the other hand they turn on Arendse who sends the three blues for the lands and with the usual lightning acceleration finds the third destination. The world champions continue to hammer, it cannot be said that Italy does not put everything in it in defending-making it also with competence and with a good structure-but the difference is too evident and above all lettersing: in the first half Van Den Berg, it collects the ball from the usual Misy advance, sends out time Fusco with a fake and the space opens to mark the 28-3 with which the first half closes.
Reaction
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In the second half there is a beautiful reaction from Italy: Lynagh invents an assist on the foot to the foot to Menoncello, then the forward make the ball in hand and a huge Zuliani (the best of the blues) marks the first destination of the Team of Questa. Rassie Erasmus does not take it very well and anticipates the entry of the Bomb Squad, the devastating South African bench, complete with fireworks. The worst news is instead the exit on a stretcher by Lorenzo Cannone, which is added to the already long list of injured. On the other hand, South Africa rellies with the charge of strength of Koch, then the Azzurri devour the second destination: the beautiful action of Odiase and Vintcent who open in two the South African defense, then Trulla widens on Gesi who goes to crush in flag but is taken out a moment before marking by Arendse. The marking, however, arrives immediately after: 20 meters of Maul advanced and the newly enthusiast Dimcheff (Italian-Argentine, discovered by Questa when he worked for the Argentine Federation) finalizes for the 35-17. The Azzurri continue with great desire and even find the third destination with Niccolò Cannone, captain of the day, crush a ball well recovered by Dimcheff. In the final Koch finds the destination that closes the match on 42-24, even if Italy (in 14 for a yellow in Izekor) would also have the opportunity to score for the fourth time, but Bertaccini is canceled the first joy in blue for a foul in attack.
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