Italy end losing streak
Luke McLean secured a first-half try for Italy against Samoa to send his team on their way to their first win since June 2008.
By Rachel Griffiths
Last Updated: 28/11/09 5:48pm
Luke McLean secured a first-half try for Italy against Samoa at the Stadio de Duca to send his team on their way to their first win since June 2008.
The Azzurri, who were without injured captain Sergio Parisse, stormed to a 24-6 triumph to end their 13-match drought and mark their first ever win over the Pacific Islanders.
Italy were largely in control of the visitors, with Mirco Bergamasco kicking eight points, while a late penalty try wrapped up the victory for the hosts.
Titi Esau kicked two penalties for the tourists in the first half, but it was not enough to keep the home side at bay, and Italy now move above Samoa into 11th in the International Rugby Board rankings, with Samoa slipping to 12th.
The line-up had undergone six changes to the one defeated 32-10 by South Africa last weekend and the fresh team gave a determined display from the off, powering to a 14-6 lead by half-time.
Suprise drop-goal
Italy opened the scoring early on with a surprise drop-goal from Bergamasco at seven minutes, putting the hosts 3-0 in front.
Just a minute later McLean struck gold with his first try for Italy, picking up a poor clearance kick and evading five men to touch down just by the posts.
Bergamasco failed to convert and on 12 minutes the visitors responded with an Esau penalty.
At 21 minutes Bergamasco redeemed himself with another penalty from in front of the posts and Gower took over kicking duties two minutes later, landing a long-range penalty from inside the Italian half.
Esau came back with a kick of his own in the last minute of the first half but Italy had the advantage at the break.
Italy made a strong start to the second half as scrum-half Tito Tebaldi kicked a superb drop-goal 10 minutes in to widen the lead.
The visitors were unable to expand on their score and the sending off of Henry Fa'afili for a high tackle on McLean only added to their woes.
McLean went on to secure a penalty try in the 78th minute, with Bergmasco converting to put a seal on the important victory.
