Uruguay fall to Emerging Italy to close Tbilisi Cup campaign

Uruguay’s participation in the 2015 Tbilisi Cup came to an end this afternoon. In losing 23-13 against Emerging Italy the South Americans campaign was winless but, nevertheless, brought with it vital preparation for the World Cup.

Uruguay played well in the opening half, particularly in defense and had a solid platform in the set-piece which the Italians found difficult to exploit. A drop goal from fly half Alejo Durán opened the scoring and was followed by scrumhalf Agustín Ormaechea landing one of two early penalties to give Los Teros a 6-0 lead.

Los Teros’ traditional areas of strength were not up to their usual standards though. Emerging Italy troubled Los Teros in the scrum and maul areas and fought back to take a 10-6 lead as a result of a penalty try from a maul. The Europeans then extended their advantage with a try to make it a 17-6 game at half time.

After the break an adjusted defensive arrangement saw Los Teros able to hold off Italian attacks. In addition the South American backs played increasingly openly with ball in hand and were eventually rewarded with Carlos Arboleya crossing in the 71st minute.

Uruguay’s improved play prevented Emerging Italy from scoring a second half try but Uruguay nonetheless was guilty of giving away penalties in the scrum which gave the Europeans opportunities to convert their infractions into points. As such Emerging Italy was able to land a second half penalty and a drop goal to close out the match and win by ten points.

Los Teros are to arrive home on Wednesday and begin the final stage of Rugby World Cup 2015 preparation. The squad will undergo a physical reconditioning program in July which is to be followed by a home test match against Argentina on August 01 in Montevideo. Uruguay will subsequently play two tests in Japan on August 23 and 29 before facing a Basque XV in Spain on September 06.

Uruguay’s Rugby World Cup campaign will begin against co-hosts Wales in Cardiff on September 20 and finish against England in Manchester on October 10. It is to be Uruguay’s first World Cup since 2003.

Scorers:

Uruguay
Try: Arboleya
Penalty: Ormaechea
Conversion: Ormaechea
Drop: Durán

Emerging Italy
Tries: Penalty Try, Di Giulio
Penalty: Canna 2
Conversions: Canna 2
Drop Goal: Canna

Uruguay
1 Alejo Corral, 2 Nicolas Klappenbach, 3 Carlos Arboleya, 4 Santiago Vilaseca (Captain), 5 Jorge Zerbino, 6 Juan Gaminara, 7 Matias Beer, 8 Alejandro Nieto, 9 Agustin Ormaechea, 10 Alejo Duran, 11 Santiago Gibernau, 12 Alberto Roman, 13 Joaquin Prada, 14 Leandro Leivas, 15 Gaston Mieres

Head Coach: Pablo Lemoine

Emerging Italy
1 Federico Zani, 2 Oliviero Fabiani, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 4 Federico Ruzza, 5 Alessio Zdrilich, 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Emiliano Caffini, 8 Maxime Mbanda, 9 Simone Marinaro, 10 Carlo Canna, 11 Gabriele Di Giulio, 12 Roberto Quartaroli, 13 Giovanni Benvenuti, 14 Filippo Guarducci, 15 Alberto Chiesa

Head Coach: Umberto Casellato