What's happening
Italy - Tonga

October 15 Match

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 15th October 2003)
Canberra stadium looked a bit chilly and damp tonight as Italy and Tonga came out for their Pool C clash. The crowd seemed rather subdued in contrast to the roof raising cheering that had been going on earlier in the evening in Brisbane at the USA/Fiji game in Brisbane. However, Tonga looked ready to rock and roll when they dished up their Sipi Tau to the Italians. Within two minutes of the Tongan kickoff Ipolito Fenukitau was yellow carded by New Zealand ref Steve Walsh for a tackle that was both high and late.

In the fourth minute of play Rima Wakarua, the Italian flyhalf making his international debut for Italy potted a penalty kick bringing the score 3-0 in favour of Italy. The general play saw a lot of ball turnover from both teams and it was clear that the Tongan team's scrummaging needed improvement. In the 10th minute of play Tongan winger Nicola Mazzucato saved an Italian try by putting the ball into touch, but then Tonga was pinged shortly after for coming in from the side giving Wakarua another penalty kick attempt which was successful and brought the score to 6-0.

Tonga also had a chance to put points on the board early on when Italy was penalised for being off side. Sateki Tu'ipulotu was unable to snatch the three points though with a shocker kick! Tonga's number 10 then tried a brave drop kick goal but it just missed the posts. With twenty five minutes of the game gone, Tonga had another 3 pointer opportunity, but it seemed that it was not going to be their night when normally reliable kicker Tu'ipulotu missed the kick again. Five minutes later when Italy had a penalty kick attempt, the boot of Wakarua notched up another three for Italy. 9-0

Tonga rallied their team and after a number of phases John Payne was able to score in the corner for Tonga. When the kick was converted the scores now stood at 9-7 - looking better :) But, as half time approached Tonga was unable to add to their score despite having a number of opportunities to do so. The forwards needed to pass the ball out to the back row who were not seeing much of the ball.

After the half time break Manuel Dallan scored beneath the posts for Italy taking the score out to 16-7. Minutes later Tonga's captain Inoke Afeaki knocked himself out while tackling. Afeaki was stretchered off as his brother Stanley, who also plays for Tonga, watched close by. Hopefully Inoke Afeaki was not seriously injured - though he fell like a sack of potatoes after getting the side of his head banged by the Italian runner.

Barely two minutes later, Tevita Tu'ifua, playing only his second international for Tonga flew straight down the line to score. With the conversion kick missing its target, the score stood at 16-12 in favour of Italy. Discipline overall was lacking in Tonga's play. Wakarua had another successful penalty kick, and then in the sixty sixth minute Tonga's number five was sent to the sin bin for ten for intentional spoiling. Italy's Wakarua kicked another three points shortly after (22-12) but Italy's Fabio Ungaro was then also sin binned for ten for a swinging arm! So, there it was with a little more than 10 minutes to go and both teams had players cooling their heels in the sin bin. Italy had a great match end however with Denis Dallan, brother of earlier try scorer Manuel, scored under the posts. With the score now 29-12 Italy certainly had put themselves out in front. Moments before the full time whistle, Denis Dallan scored his second try for Italy which was converted taking the final score to 36-12 with Italy taking the points.

In a game that lacked continuity the Italian team can be pleased with the performances of the Dallan brothers - scoring the team's three tries between them, and Rima Wakarua kicking record of 3/3 conversions and 5/6 penalty kicks was a standout - 21 personal points! As for the Tongan team - well, I've seen them play better.