Italy dominated proceedings however virtually let Wales again into the sport earlier than closing out a 22-15 victory within the Six Nations on Saturday, condemning the guests to their lowest ever place on this planet rankings.
A strive from Ange Capuozzo and 17 factors off the boot of Tommaso Allan ensured a snug lead at a wet Stadio Olimpico earlier than Wales staged a late comeback with a rating from Aaron Wainwright after which a penalty strive as two yellow playing cards within the final minutes noticed the Italians diminished to 13 males.
Nevertheless it was too little, too late for the Welsh, who had been triple crown champions solely 4 years in the past however have now dropped to twelfth place, under Georgia for the primary time, in World Rugby’s rankings.
The way forward for veteran coach Warren Gatland is now in severe query, with Wales extending their document dropping run to 14 successive video games.
“I understand how exhausting we’re working,” Gatland instructed S4C after the sport.
“I can perceive individuals’s frustration and we’re annoyed and dissatisfied as properly as a result of we created alternatives however we have now made errors and the penalty rely was disappointing.”
Wales misplaced 43-0 to France within the event opener in Paris final weekend and confirmed little enchancment on Saturday as they had been out-scrummed by their hosts and barely mustered an assault till their Seventieth-minute strive from a line maul, with alternative Wainwright scoring.
Italy’s strive got here after 20 minutes of the primary half, with Capuozzo having little room within the nook however managing to keep away from the touchline as he efficiently dived on to a grubber from fly-half Pablo Garbisi, whose present and go off the again of a dominant scrum arrange the chance.
Allan put over the conversion and slotted over three first-half penalties for a 16-3 halftime lead as Wales had been responsible of pointless maul infringements. Ben Thomas kicked over a penalty for Wales.
Italy missed alternatives to increase their lead when Allan fluffed two kickable efforts after the break and Martin Web page-Relo struck the crossbar with a long-range effort within the 59th minute.
Allan was ultimately profitable with one more penalty within the 61st minute for the primary factors of the second half, after Wales had been diminished to 14 males when winger Josh Adams was yellow-carded for head contact in a smothering deal with on Garbisi.
A uncommon foray into the Italian half noticed Wales rating off the lineout however Allan responded by slotting over his fifth penalty with eight minutes left to see the Roman crowd burst into track.
Celebrations had been rapidly muted, nevertheless, when Marco Riccioni was despatched to the sin bin after which adopted by Dino Lamb as Wales had been awarded a penalty strive with a minute left.
Hopes of a dramatic comeback, nevertheless, floundered to provide Italy a 3rd win of their final 4 clashes in opposition to Wales however solely their fifth in 33 Assessments.
Right this moment we confirmed how sensible we may be and the way assured we’re in what we are able to do,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro mentioned.
“The one aim that we mentioned this week was to ship on pitch for a full 80 minutes.”
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