Italrugby beats Wales and closes its best tournament in history

The Six Nations 2024 was the best ever for the Italian national rugby team. With a 24-21 victory on the final day against Wales in Cardiff, the Azzurri archived their 25th participation in the tournament with two wins, one draw and two defeats. Excluding the setback against Ireland, Italy's performances were on the up, they were convincing and at some junctures, the national team seen in Cardiff was the best ever. The new coach Gonzalo Quesada, in his first tournament on the Azzurri's bench, took a team that had come from a disappointing World Cup, with the ugly defeats suffered by New Zealand and France, and bet on a young group that seems to have closed most of the mental and physical gaps with their Six Nations opponents. There are no longer games played for only 60 minutes, there is a lot of discipline and greater mental solidity: these players seem truly convinced they can win. There is still a long way to go, there is still something missing, especially playing by keeping possession of the oval, but the seeds planted are starting to bear fruit. If in one thing Italy had often lacked it was in continuity and in not failing to miss key appointments, this time it did not. Italy arrived in Cardiff knowing they could win and they did, leaving Wales at the bottom of the 2024 Six Nations standings, giving them the less than honourable 'wooden spoon'. Let's see how the match went.

The first half opened immediately with what would be some of the match's constants: Italy disciplined and solid in defence, Wales foulful and committing many mistakes. In the sixth minute, the first points arrived thanks to Garbisi's spot kick (0-3) after a Welsh hold on an Azzurri tackle. The Italians seemed more convinced and more confident, while among the hosts more concern emerged. On 13 minutes another kick by Garbisi unblocked the score (0-6). In the meantime, Italy's supremacy in the scrum was evident, with Wales continuing their series of errors and, in some cases, horrors. A lineout was the starting point for the Azzurri's attack that led to Ioane's try from a pass by Garbisi, who then missed the conversion (0-11). The match continued with few emotions, many kicks and Italy having too little possession. The Azzurri defence, however, remained solid and one of their strengths was their discipline: nothing was conceded to their opponents, who in the final minutes attempted an assault but failed to score. The visitors went into the locker room eleven-nil up.

After the break, the teams return to the pitch as they had left it. Wales has more possession but does not score. Italy defended with discipline. In the 46th minute the Azzurri's second try. Again, the platform for the attack is provided by a lineout. Ioane created the conditions for the pass to Pani who sowed the opponents and flew in goal and this time Garbisi did not miss the transformation (0-18). The Welsh reaction came as the changes started with fresh forces coming off the bench. In front of the home crowd, in a Millenium stadium with 70,000 spectators, the Dragons tried to attack, entering the Italian 22 several times. In the 62nd minute a tackle by Vintcent on scrum-half Williams saved a clear try. On 64', however, the Welsh try arrived with Dee and Costelow's transformation (7-18). Italy were coming under too much pressure from the men in red shirts, but they proved to be undisciplined. On 71' Garbisi hit the posts for 7-21 and on 73' Page-Relo replied for 7-24. The game ended with Wales trying their best and continuing to attack. In the 79th minute came Rowlands' try converted by Lloyd (14-24) and as time expired Grady also scored for another Lloyd conversion (21-24).

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

For Wales: 3 tries (Dee at 64', Rowlands at 79', Grady at 83'), 3 conversions (Costelow at 64', Lloyd at 79' and 83'). Stopped kicks: Lloyd 2 for 2, Costelow 1 for 1.