Italian defence frustrates Japan

The Azzurre did well to resist in the first difficult half hour, when Japan put them under continual pressure but came away with only three points. From the 30th minute onwards the game changed, Raineri's team took over the match and quickly turned the game around with two tries in the last 10 minutes of the first half with Muzzo and Ostuni Minuzzi. In the second half, the Azzurri put the match in the safe with two more tries, one each. In the final Matsumura scored for the try of the flag.

Japan started very strong and in the first 10 minutes builds fought their wat into the Italian 22 Italians three times but with little result. On the 17th minute Otsuka moves the scoreboard by scoring the first 3 points from the pitch.

After that difficult start, Italy fought back. Rigoni's interception put the Azzurri on the attack, then a nice kick from Stefan forced Nishimura to a hasty release, giving Raineri's team a touch in the Japanese 22. Indiscipline, however, punished the Azzurre, who were penalized for a foul in the ruck and the action faded. But the inertia of the match had changed: Giordano, Turani and Veronese make their way into contact, set up Stefan who widened the play with a pass to Rigoni who crosseed inside on Muzzo, good at finding the space to score. Rigoni converted for 7-3.

At the end of the half Italy pushed again and a try from Veronese sent Italy into the break 12-3 ahead.

In the second half, Italy started strongly. Stefan surprised everyone with a kick that Kagawa misread setting up a third try, 19-3.

The Azzurri defence, constant and solid throughout the match, held up well in the face of Japan's reaction, which was unable to break through the blue wall.

On the stroke of the hour mark, Italy put the game beyond the visitors. Great play by debutant Mannini set up Muzzo's run: the Villorba winger is impossible to contain and the Azzurre had a fourth try for 24-3. Japan battled back and in the 64th minute scored though Matsumura, who finalizes a nice series of charges from her teammates and marks the 24-8.

Piacenza, Stadio Walter Beltrametti, 14 September 2024

Test Match Internazionale

Italy v Japan 24-8 (12-3)

Scorers: p.t 16' cp Otsuka (0-3); 30' m. Muzzo tr. Rigoni (7-3); 36'm. Ostuni Minuzzi (12-3); s.t. 5' m. Ostuni Minuzzi tr. Rigoni (19-3); 20' m. Muzzo (24-3); 24'm. Matsumura (24-8)

Italy: Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, Mannini, Rigoni (11' st. Stevanin), Granzotto; Madia (31' st Sillari), Stefan (18'st. Capomaggi); Giordano (Cap.), Sgorbini (14'st. Frangipani), Veronese; Duca, Tounesi (11' st. Fedrighi); Seye (36' st. Maris), Vecchini (1'st. Gurioli), Turani (20'st. Splint).

coach Giovanni Raineri

Japan: Nishimura; Kagawa, Furuta, Otsuka, Imakugi; Yamamoto (22' pt. Matsumura), Tsukui (33' st. Seo); Nduka (18'st. Nagai), I.Nagata (Cap. 18' st. Hosokawa), Kawamura; Yoshimura (11' st. Korai), Sato; N.Nagata (7' st. Kitano), Taniguchi (20' st. Kuge), Kato (18'st. Komaki). Subs not used,

coach: Lesley McKenzie