Italy 23 Canada 18 - Beautiful rugby in pictures
Canada-Italy - a game to remember
©Karen Ashcroft
World Rugby should be congratulated on the tournament thus far and the quality of rugby so called Tier 2 nations have produced.
Rugby World Cup 2015 moved to Elland Road, Leeds and it was Canada that would thrill the crowd with an exciting display against an Italian team that relied heavily on Eduardo Gori.
England 7s star Dan Bibby commented on Twitter that the Canadian team had a nucleus of national 7s players on show. They certainly were on show and the confidence moving and handling at high speed.
The Canadian back three were particularly smooth and scored 3 fantastic tries albeit one was disallowed for a forward pass; a very questionable decision by the touch judge and the TMO.
The try DTH Van Der Merwe scored on 14.41 minutes was breath taking and surely an early contender for try of the Rugby World Cup. To be fair to the Italians they responded immediately with a stunning move of their own featuring a weaving run by Gori before Rizzo went over for a try.
The second half started with the Canadians believing in their players ability to handle the ball from any position and it was Cornish Pirates, Matt Evans that touched down for Canada.
On 57 minutes there was some Rugby World Cup history as Mauro Bergamasco came on as a preplacement. 30 seconds later a well worked series of Italian forward phases allowed Gonzalo Garcia to go over for a try; a fine advert for ginger hair and beard not normally associated with the catwalks of Milano!
The game was finely poised with Italy leading 20-15.
Canada kept their attacking intent and were able to put some fine phases together but no try only a 3 point penalty
It was 20-18 with 8 minutes to go. Cleverly the Italians smothered the play before forcing a kickable penalty as the clock hit the red zone. Tommy Allen nailed the kick to take it to 23-18 at Full Time
How did Canada lose it was the question ex-Scotland international Scott Hastings was asking in the Press Room at Full Time
The pictures exclusively taken for Talking Rugby Union follow the story and end with Man of the Match, DTH Van Der Merwe.
