Here’s our report from a lively encounter in Fukuoka. Thanks for reading along, and be sure to join Simon Burnton for England v USA. For now, it’s arrivederci.
So, Italy extend their lead at the top of Pool B, having scored 95 points in their first two matches. They might want to enjoy this view of the table, with South Africa and the All Blacks still to come.
The Azzurri also have plenty of names among the top try and points scorers, with Tommaso Allan the first player to hit 20 points in Japan.
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And you can read more about the murky world of World Cup qualifying here:
England v USA is up next – you can follow that one with Simon Burnton:
Full time! Italy 48-7 Canada
Just enough time for Canada to restart, before a long old 80 minutes for them is finally brought to an end.
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TRY! Italy 48-7 Canada (Minozzi 78')
Italy add a seventh try, with man of the match Jake Polledri bursting upfield, combining with Bellini before releasing Minozzi. Nobody in red is going to catch him. Canna misses the conversion, Italy just short of a half-century again.
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76 minutes: Italy 43-7 Canada The underdogs try to get another score on the board, Hearn with a clever offload before Lesage runs into a sea of blue. Jordy Nelson’s crossfield kick is sailing towards Ardron – but Minozzi, his leg heavily strapped, still gets across to deny Canada a second try.
The Romania qualification row rumbles on ...
@niallmcveigh hi mate, if we're going to pick hairs about Romania initially qualifying can we make sure we reference this was only due to some very highly suspect refereeing in another qualification game, allowing them to limp through....feel your original point stands
— Matthew Armstrong (@matt223267) September 26, 2019
TRY! Italy 43-7 Canada (Zani 73')
Another rolling maul, more punishment for the Canadian forwards, and eventually, inevitably, Italy get over the line. It’s the replacement prop, Federico Zani, with the score – and Carlo Canna adds the extras.
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72 mins: So, Italy are getting their bonus point win, but Canada avoid going scoreless – and Coe has arguably just produced the individual moment of the match. Palazzani is on for Callum Braley at scrum-half for Italy.
TRY! Italy 36-7 Canada (Coe 70')
Oh my, this is sensational from Andrew Coe! He looks more like Sebastian Coe as he romps down the right flank, but with Bisegni looming at the line, he produces a lovely feint to sneak past him, and into the corner. Nelson nails a tricky conversion, too.
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67 mins: Italy 36-0 Canada Jamie Mackenzie on for Gordon McCrorie at scrum-half for Canada. For Italy, Zani replaces Bigi and Carlo Canna takes over from Tommy Allan at fly-half.
A clarification on Romania, from James in (you guessed it) Turkey.
“They did qualify, but were disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. A Tonga-born player who had qualified for them on residency and played several tests was retrospectively found to have once played 7s for Tonga as a teenager. It was very harsh on Romania.”
NO TRY! Italy 36-0 Canada No! After checking with the TMO, Owens rules that the ball came off Lesage’s forearm and went forward. Have some sympathy, Nigel. Canada 15 minutes away from the first zero of the tournament ...
64 mins: Lesage and Minozzi contest a high ball and the Canadian centre gets the bounce, with the ball looping into the arms of Tyler Ardron, who crosses over! Are Canada on the board here?
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TRY! Italy 36-0 Canada (Bellini 62')
A terrific, flowing attacking move from Italy, with Jake Polledri pivotal before the ball is worked left to Mattia Bellini, who skips past his man and races away to score! Allan misses the conversion, the first blot on his copybook.
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PENALTY TRY! Italy 31-0 Canada
Ah, but the wing’s hard work is undone by Matt Heaton, who went in low with a no-arms tackle in the buildup! It’s a penalty try and a yellow card for Heaton, who’s had a pretty dreadful day at the office. That wraps up a bonus point for Italy, too. For Canada, Andrew Coe comes on for Jeff Hassler.
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59 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada An Italian maul rolls ominously for the line, but Van der Merwe does brilliantly to stop Luca Bigi from dotting down. Nigel Owens is having a word with the TMO, though ...
58 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada Eric Howard is replaced by Benoit Piffero for Canada, as Italy prepare to restart with a scrum ...
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57 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada Ruzza makes a quick impact, breaking a tackle and tottering to within a few metres of the line after a penalty advantage. Nigel Owens has a stern word with Canada captain Ardron. “Have a word with your team, and have a word with yourself, because you keep giving penalties away.”
Here’s more on one of the World Cup’s big talking points – how to help second-tier nations like Japan keep developing.
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55 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada More quick feet from Minozzi in the back field – he’s going to Wasps for the new season, and could light up the Premiership based on this form. Sisi goes off, replaced by Federico Ruzza.
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54 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada Campagnaro and Hayward link up well as Italy once again target Canada’s soft centre. They get a reprieve when David Sisi goes in off his feet – a rare lapse from the Italian pack today.
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52 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada Front row changes: Quaglio and Riccioni on for Italy, replacing Lovotti and Ferrari. For Canada, Matt Tierney is replaced by Cole Keith.
50 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada A great tackle by Minozzi! Canada break upfield and look like they’ll finally score, Jeff Hassler racing for the line – but the lightning-quick Italian wing gets across and buffets him into touch!
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49 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada The commentary team are pondering whether Italy can beat South Africa in what will effectively be a quarter-final eliminator. It’s a no from me.
48 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada Peter Nelson strips the ball to stop an Italian attack, but his kick is charged down and rebounds to a blue shirt. Nigel Owens whistles for offside, then gets a bit confused when trying to explain why to Braam Steyn. I’d say a rare moment of comedy, but there have been a few today.
46 mins: Italy 24-0 Canada So after Canada spent 25 minutes trying to cut the deficit, Italy come back out and widen the gap with their first attack. Another Canadian attack falls down due to a handling error, Heaton spilling the ball under pressure.
TRY! Italy 24-0 Canada (Negri 44')
The pressure comes in waves, moving right to left, with Canada unable to slow things down and regroup. Eventually Sebastian Negri finds himself up against Nelson, who is physically outmatched and can’t keep the flanker from going over. Allan adds the conversion, and Italy are surely out of sight.
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42 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Italy look refreshed after the break and charge into Canadian territory with substitute Mattia Bellini, on for Benvenuti, involved ...
With dangerous tackles such a big talking point at the World Cup, the commentary team here note that yesterday, “Rowan’s Law Day” was observed in Canada. Rowan’s Law is a set of concussion protocols brought in for Canadian youth matches, named after Rowan Stringer, a high school student who tragically died in 2013. Read more here.
Peep!
Here we go again ...
There’s another Europe v North America battle coming up later in Kobe. Here’s Rob Kitson with the big match preview:
Half time! Italy 17-0 Canada
Canada turn it over, thanks to great work from Mike Sheppard in the pack. They keep possession until the gong sounds for half time, then hoof it into touch.
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39 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada The Canadian No 8 gets a hand on the ball, and is penalised for a deliberate knock on! Nigel Owens ponders a yellow card, but the TMO and touch judge talk him out of it. It’s a penalty only, and Italy will keep the pressure on. Buydens can’t continue, and is replaced by Djustice Sears-Duru (even better name).
38 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada A pivotal moment here, as Italy step up to within 10 metres. Another score here, and it’s game over, but Canada hold firm on the line. Braley prepares to sweep the ball back, and Ardron charges out ...
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37 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada A break as Canadian prop Hubert Buydens (great name) gets treatment. He plays for New Orleans in Major League Rugby, a new setup which is helping more Canadian and US players earn professional contracts.
36 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada An Italian scrum, which stops and starts and stops again, before Tyler Ardron is caught around a mile offside. Tommy Allan, who seems to be struggling with some kind of leg injury, will kick for the corner.
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34 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada A scrappy spell as half-time approaches, as Italy creep out of their half and win a lineout.
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“Canada a shadow of former selves,” tweets Pnin Mogens. “Is this the nature of 2nd/3rd tier international rugby? Have a golden generation peek above the parapet but no ongoing match schedule/funding means green shoots wither.”
Sadly, for plenty of teams, that’s pretty much the size of it. Note that Romania – once also among the “best of the rest” at World Cups – didn’t even qualify.
30 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Van der Merwe darts upfield and offloads to scrum-half McRorie, but Besigni makes a vital challenge and the move breaks down. Canada getting into plenty of good positions, but basic mistakes are letting them down – Italy must feel like they’re playing themselves.
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29 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Another opening for Canada goes begging, with DTH Van der Merwe just failing to grasp an offload with a gap opening up in front of him. They’ve really come back into this game, but have nothing to show for it.
27 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada An attacking lineout for Canada, from which space opens up on the right-hand side – they are getting some joy going wide – but an errant pass slows the move down, and they eventually knock on.
25 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada The Canadian defence coach is none other than former England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, who’s out here gaining some coaching experience. Fair to say he’s in at the deep end, here.
24 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada An injury break as Benvenuti and Canada’s Conor Keys receive treatment – then as we restart, Canada break through the lively Ben Lesage. Braam Steyn gets across and squashes the move with a ferocious tackle.
22 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Peter Nelson’s crossfield kick puts Italy under pressure, with Hassler and Parfrey pressing the Italian backs. Campagnaro gets them out of trouble with a jinking run.
21 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Heaton makes partial amends with a big tackle, but from a promising lineout, Canada hand the ball back to Italy. After an exchange of kicks, Van der Merwe collects Minozzi’s undercooked effort ...
19 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada To be fair to Heaton – who, by the way, plays club rugby for Darlington Mowden Park – he wasn’t helped by Ardron delaying the pass, making it more a touch more awkward for him.
17 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada Oh, Canada! After a spell of possession upfield, captain Tyler Ardron breaks a tackle and offloads to Heaton – but the ball squirms from the replacement’s hands with the line in sight! Ah, what a shame. It was a howler, in truth.
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15 mins: Italy 17-0 Canada The underdogs are currently missing a tackle per minute, and missing as many as they’re making. Another change for Canada, with Lucas Rumball off, replaced by Matt Heaton. Rumball offers a one word, post-watershed assessment of Canada’s performance as he trudges off.
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TRY! Italy 17-0 Canada (Budd 13')
Yikes, this was very easy for Italy. A nice flowing move involving Campagnaro and Minozzi puts Canada on the back foot, and Dean Budd steps forward with the ball, Tierney completely misses his tackle and the captain steps through the gap. Allan adds the conversion.
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11 mins: Italy 10-0 Canada So far, the Canadians look outmatched, and a brief wander upfield is easily repelled by Italy, who force a penalty. That’s their third concession already. Italy, meanwhile, look more assured than they did against Namibia.
9 mins: Italy 10-0 Canada Early change for Canada, with centre Nick Blevins off after failing a head injury assessment. Ciaran Hearn, once of London Irish, comes on.
TRY! Italy 10-0 Canada (Steyn 8')
It’s an action replay of the first scrum, with Steyn snatching up the ball and powering for the line. This time, there’s no stopping him – and Allan adds the conversion.
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7 mins: Italy 3-0 Canada Canada have a lineout and a chance to clear their lines, but Eric Howard’s throw is wonky, and now Italy have a scrum ...
6 mins: Italy 3-0 Canada Italy break into space through Jake Polledri, with the ball worked left towards Giulio Bisegni. With the try line in sight, he lets the ball slip through his hands! That’s the execution O’Shea was talking about.
4 mins: Italy 3-0 Canada This is the first game in Fukuoka, and there are concerns over the pitch already. That early scrum has churned up huge hunks of turf, which ground staff are hurriedly trying to replace.
2 mins: Italy 3-0 Canada Italian scrum, from which Braley feeds Braam Steyn. The No 8 tries to barrel over with brute strength, but Canada just about hold firm. Italy penalty, and they opt to take the three points, Tommaso Allan slotting the kick through the posts.
1 min: Ooh, Italy almost carve through their opponents immediately, with Minozzi’s cute kick down the left flank chased by Callum Braley. Canada full-back Patrick Parfrey gets across and gets hands to the ball just in time!
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Peep!
Italy, in a pleasing shade of blue, kick off. Canada, in red and white, collect. Nigel Owens is the man in the middle. Let’s go!
Time for the anthems! Come on, join in – you know these ones.
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Here’s Italy head coach Conor O’Shea, who wants his inexperienced team to be more clinical today. “We created 12, 13 try-scoring opportunities [against Namibia]. Seventeen guys played their first World Cup game last week, there’s a few new more guys today. We’re excited, we want to show lots of aggression, but focus on the execution. We cannot give Canada a sniff today.”
Anyone familiar with the Six Nations will know that for Italy, execution has been an issue for a long time.
And here’s more on Canada’s golden era, as Martin Pengelly talks to Al Charron, part of a team that could conceivably have gone all the way to the final in 1991:
Pre-game reading:
The teams
Italy: Minozzi, Benvenuti, Campagnaro, Hayward, Bisegni, Allan, Braley; Lovotti, Bigi, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd, Negri, Polledri, Steyn.
Replacements: Zani, Quaglio, Riccioni, Ruzza, Mbanda, Palazzani, Canna, Bellini.
Canada: Parfrey, Hassler, Lesage, Blevins, Van der Merwe, Nelson, McCrorie; Buydens, Howard, Tierney, Keys, Larsen, Shepperd, Rumball, Ardron.
Replacements: Piffero, Sears-Duru, Keith, Campbell, Heaton, Mackenzie, Hearn, Coe.
Preamble
For both these sides, the future hasn’t been what they hoped. Canada reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 1991, and punched above their weight for the rest of the decade. As their era ended, Italy’s began. The azzurri earned a place in the Six Nations, and two World Cup wins in 2003 continued the upward trajectory.
Italy have plateaued since then, serving up two wins (and two losses) in every World Cup since, never escaping the pool stages and going backwards in the Six Nations. Canada, meanwhile, have careened downhill – they lost every game in 2015, and aren’t hoping for much better in Japan.
With New Zealand and South Africa also in Pool B, the best these two sides can realistically hope for is third place, and an automatic spot in 2023. They may not be the dark horses they once were, but a World Cup win is a World Cup win. Just ask Uruguay.
Kick-off is at 4.45pm local time, 8.45am BST.
