Italrugby beats Wales and closes its best tournament in history

The 2024 Six Nations was the best ever for the Italian national rugby team. With the victory on the last day against Wales in Cardiff 24 to 21, the Azzurri closed their twenty-fifth participation in the tournament with two victories, one draw and two defeats. Excluding the setback against Ireland, Italy’s performances continued to grow, they were convincing and in some situations, the national team seen in Cardiff was the best ever. The new coach Gonzalo Quesada, in his first tournament as coach of the Azzurri, took a team that was coming off a disappointing World Cup, with bad defeats suffered by New Zealand and France, and bet on a young group that seems to have filled a good part of the mental and physical with their Six Nations opponents. There are no longer games played for just 60 minutes, there is a lot of discipline and greater mental solidity: these players seem truly convinced that they can win. There is still a long way to go, there is always something missing, especially playing while maintaining possession of the oval, but the seeds planted are starting to bear fruit. If Italy had often failed in one thing it was continuity and not missing key appointments, this time it didn’t. Italy arrived in Cardiff knowing they could win and won, leaving Wales bottom of the 2024 Six Nations table, giving them the less than honorable “wooden spoon”. Let’s see how the match went.

The first half opens immediately with what will be some of the constants of the match: Italy disciplined and solid in defence, Wales fouling and making many mistakes. In the sixth minute, the first points arrive thanks to Garbisi’s free kick (0-3) after a Welsh hold on an Italian tackle. The Italians seem more convinced and more confident, while among the hosts there is more concern. At 13′ another kick from Garbisi breaks the deadlock (0-6). Meanwhile, Italy’s supremacy in closed scrimmage is evident, with Wales continuing its festival of errors and in some cases horrors. The Azzurri’s attack starts from a throw-in which leads to Ioane’s try following a pass from Garbisi who then misses the conversion (0-11). The match continues with little emotion, lots of kicks and Italy having too little possession. The Italian defense, however, remains solid and one strong point is in the discipline: nothing is granted to the opponents who in the final minutes attempt to attack without however scoring any points. We go to the locker rooms at eleven to zero for the guests.

In the second half the Azzurri were able to manage

After the break, the teams return to the field as they left it. Wales have more possession but don’t score. Italy defends with discipline. In the 46th minute the Azzurri’s second try. Again, the attack platform is provided by a throw-in. Ioane creates the conditions for the pass to Pani who leaves the opponents and flies towards the goal and this time Garbisi doesn’t miss the conversion (0-18). The Welsh reaction arrives, when the substitutions begin with the fresh forces coming off the bench. In front of the home crowd, in a Millenium stadium with 70 thousand spectators, the Dragons try to attack, entering the Italian 22 several times. In the 62nd minute a tackle by Vintcent on scrumhalf Williams saved a clear goal-scoring action. However, in the 64th minute the Welsh try arrived with Dee and Costelow’s conversion (7-18). Italy is suffering too much pressure from the men in the red shirt who, however, remain undisciplined. In the 71st minute Garbisi hits the posts for 7-21 and in the 73rd minute Page-Relo replies for 7-24. The match ends with Wales going all out and continuing to attack. In the 79th minute Rowlands’ try arrived, converted by Lloyd (14-24) and with time running out, Grady also had time to mark another conversion by Lloyd (21-24).

The match

Wales-Italy 21-24 (first half 0-11)

For Wales: 3 tries (Dee in the 64th minute, Rowlands in the 79th minute, Grady in the 83rd), 3 conversions (Costelow in the 64th minute, Lloyd in the 79th and 83rd minute). Set kicks: Lloyd 2 of 2, Costelow 1 of 1.