Italy v Samoa

[Stargazer]

That's the full time score.

Good game from the Italians; very disappointing performance from Samoa.

Italy was Samoa's strongest opponent on this tour. Their next games are against Georgia and Romania.

Italy will host Australia and South Africa in the next two weeks.

[Stargazer]

Honest comments from Michael Ala'alatoa, who wasn't happy at all about his team's performance.

[Rapido]

That looked a very good Samian team on paper ( the best since the previous nation-hopping days of the 90s), so impressive by Italy. Especially as Italy missing their very good 2 youngsters.

Watched the 12 min highlights package, Italy were very slick.

[antipodean]

The attacking shape of the Italians looked very good. Be interesting to see what they look like against better opposition.

[ACT Crusader]

@Stargazer said in Italy v Samoa:

That's the full time score.

Good game from the Italians; very disappointing performance from Samoa.

Italy was Samoa's strongest opponent on this tour. Their next games are against Georgia and Romania.

Italy will host Australia and South Africa in the next two weeks.

Georgia will definitely provide a bit of resistance. Let’s not forget Georgia beat the Italians earlier this year. Their forward pack seem better drilled and that kid fullback Niniashvili has some game.

[ARHS]

@Rapido said in Italy v Samoa:

That looked a very good Samian team on paper ( the best since the previous nation-hopping days of the 90s), so impressive by Italy. Especially as Italy missing their very good 2 youngsters.

Watched the 12 min highlights package, Italy were very slick.

Forwards are OK on paper but that looks like worst Samoan backline unit in many years to me. Lacks pace too much

[Stargazer]

[Bovidae]

I've just been watching this game. The tackling and ball security, in the 1st half especially, was really poor. Samoa struggled to defend the maul as well. A big step backwards from their PNC performances.

Crowley has got the Italian attack humming.

[Stargazer]

@Bovidae It will be interesting to see how Italy goes in the next November tests. Crowley now is about a year or so in charge of the team. Effects - if any - of his coaching should now be noticeable.* Are they improving, or not? This test v Samoa doesn't answer that question, but tests against Australia and South Africa will give us an idea, although - obviously - I don't know much about most of the players in the squad, injuries etc.

(*I haven't followed much of the 6 Nations this year)

[cgrant]

They now get an attacking structure, which was non existing in a recent past. Garbisi is an excellent 1st five, he is controlling the game very well. What they lack is a power runner up front. Is Polledri still injured ?