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The USA’s first match of the World Cup ended in bitter disappointment as Italy pulled away to secure a 22-10 victory. Their first-ever win over the Eagles came despite conceding the vast majority of possession in the first half, and losing a starting forward while fans were still taking their seats.
Italy suffered a blow just two minutes into the game when flanker Ilaria Arrighetti was forced off with injury. Francesca Sgorbini was summoned from the bench, and just a couple minutes later Hallie Taufo’ou punched in for the first try to give the Eagles the first lead.
For the next 25 minutes the Azzurre were pinned in their end. The USA threw everything at them but mistakes at the lineout and inaccuracy at key moments left the scoreline untouched.
Finally Italy were able to fight their way into American territory. Just before halftime a line break from Sgorbini put the USA defense on the back foot. A quick recycle and the overlap was on, with Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi touching down in the right corner. Michela Sillari’s conversion was spot on and Italy took an unlikely 7-5 lead into the break.
Taufo’ou was taken off with a knee complaint with the two sides still in the sheds, replaced by Kristine Sommer. When play resumed a scrum penalty earned territory for Italy. The Eagles were pinned on their line, and a flat ball from Beatrice Rigoni picked out Aura Muzzo in space to score in the left corner.
The USA came roaring back. With the Azzurre now going backwards, Otsuni Minuzzi stuck a hand out to disrupt an attacking move. She was duly sent to the sin bin, and moments later Jenny Kronish crashed over the line for her country’s second try. Gabby Cantorna sliced the conversion attempt and the Italians kept a narrow lead.
It would grow after a break from Giada Franco led to a second score from Muzzo, who stepped past two would-be tacklers after another Rigoni miss-out pass found the USA’s outside defense wanting. The final blow came from Maria Magatti, who sped away for the bonus-point try with 10 minutes to play.
Next up for the Eagles is Japan next weekend. They’ll need a big win to keep their Quarter Final hopes alive. Italy will now take huge confidence into their match against Canada, who beat the Azzurre in convincing fashion earlier this year.
SCORING
USA 10
Tries – H. Taufo’ou (4′), J. Kronish (57′)
Cons – G. Cantorna 0/2
ITALY 22
Tries – V. Ostuni Minozzi (39′), A. Muzzo 2 (51′, 63′), M. Magatti (70′)
Cons – M. Sillari 1/4 (40′)
YC – V. Ostuni Minuzzi (56′)
TEAMS
USA
1 Hope Rogers (17 Catie Benson 79′), 2 Joanna Kitlinski, 3 Nick James (18 Charli Jacoby 68′), 4 Hallie Taufo’ou (19 Kristine Sommer HT), 5 Jenny Kronish (20 Georgie Perris-Reading 64′), 6 Jordan Matyas, 7 Rachel Johnson, 8 Kate Zackary (capt.), 9 Carly Waters (21 Olivia Ortiz 64′), 10 Gabby Cantorna, 11 Lotte Clapp, 12 Katana Howard (22 Meya Bizer 64′), 13 Eti Haungatau, 14 Jennine Detiveaux, 15 Alev Kelter
Not used: 16 Kathryn Treder, 23 Tess Feury
ITALY
1 Silvia Turani (17 Gaia Maris 79′), 2 Melissa Bettoni (16 Vittoria Vecchini 79′), 3 Lucia Gai (18 Sara Seye 79′), 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Sara Tounesi (19 Isabella Locatelli 69′), 6 Ilaria Arrighetti (21 Francesca Sgorbini 2′), 7 Giada Franco (20 Beatrice Veronese 69′), 8 Elisa Giordano (capt.), 9 Sofia Stefan (22 Sara Barattin 69′), 10 Veronica Madia, 11 Maria Magatti, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 13 Michela Sillari, 14 Aura Muzzo, 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi
Not used: 23 Alyssa D’Incà
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
Assistants: Julianne Zussman (Canada) & Tyler Miller (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
