REPORT: Italy 46 USA 0

Italy put all of their troubles of the past week behind them as they convincingly beat the USA 46-0 in Townsville on Sunday.

Tries from Joe Tramontana (2), James Tedesco, Josh Mantellato and Ryan Ghietti saw Italy lead 28-0 at the half-time interval.

Tedesco, Paul Vaughan and Mason Cerruto all scored unanswered tries in the second half as Italy secured their first win at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup with a 46-0 win over the USA.

TEAM NEWS

Cameron Ciraldo made two changes to his Italy side that lost to Ireland last week. Chris Centrone and Christophe Calegari came in for Jack Johns and Colin Wilkie.

Brian McDermott made five changes to his USA team that lost to Fiji last week as Jonathan Alley, Steve Howard, Nicholas Newlin, Andrew Kneisley and Joe Eichner were replaced by Gabriel Farley, Sam Tochterman-Talbott, Fotukava Malu, Charles Cortalano and David Ulch.

FIRST HALF

Italy’s took control of the game from the start and scored in the seventh minute as Joe Tramontana capitalised on the USA failing to deal with a kick, with the hooker picking up the loose ball and racing over the line. Josh Mantellato converted to put his side 6-0 up.

The Azzurri doubled their lead when NRL sensation James Tedesco showed great footwork to step of his left foot and dive in the corner. Mantellato added the conversion and Italy led 12-0.

A fine offload from skipper Mark Minichiello saw Mantellato cross the whitewash for Italy. The former Hull KR star couldn’t convert his own try though, Italy 16-0 USA.

Most attacking plays that Italy were putting on were going down the left side to Mantellato and this was the case in the 24^th minute, when he made a nice break down the left wing before giving it back inside to Ryan Ghietti who finished off a good try. Mantellato’s boot made the score 22-0.

It was all Italy in the first half and they extended their lead just before half-time when Joel Riethmuller made a break and assisted the supporting Tramontana who grabbed his second. Mantellato converted to give the Azzurri a 28-0 lead at the break.

HALF TIME: Italy 28–0 USA.

 SECOND HALF

Italy came out confident in the second-40 and broke the Hawks defence when Tedesco threw a cheeky step of his left to dive over in the corner. The conversion was on target and Italy were 34-0 to the good.

USA did well to maintain Italy for 15 minutes or so period in the second half but the Azzurri went over on the hour when Paul Vaughan made a break and did a one-two passing movement with Tramontana before touching down. Mantellato converted to put Italy 40-0 in front.

Hawks full-back Corey Makelim was trying all kind of things to try and get his side some points on the board like chasing his own chips over the top but nothing came from them.

The Azzurri wrapped the game up as Mason Cerruto scored in the latter stages of the game. The stand-in full-back picked up a loose ball and burst through the USA defence to run 80 metres and score under the posts. Mantellato added the conversion sealed a convincing 46-0 win for Italy.

FULL TIME: Italy 46–0 USA.

MATCH DETAILS

Italy – 46

Tries:  Tramontana 2, Tedesco 2, Mantellato, Ghietti, Vaughan

Goals: Mantellato 6/7

USA – 0

Tries:

Goals:

HT: 28-0

Loverugbyleague.com MOM: Joe Tramontana (Italy)

TEAMS

Italy: 2. Mason Cerruto, 14. Chris Centrone, 3. Justin Castellaro, 4. Nathan Milone, 5. Josh Mantellato, 1. James Tedesco, 7. Ryan Ghietti, 8. Paul Vaughan, 9. Joe Tramontana, 10. Daniel Alvaro, 17. Jayden Walker, 12. Mark Minichiello (C), 13. Nathan Brown.

Interchange: 11. Joel Riethmuller, 15. Brendan Santi, 16. Shannon Wakeman, 21. Christophe Calegari.

USA: 1. Corey Makelim, 2. Ryan Burroughs, 3. Junior Vaivai, 21. Josh Rice, 5. Bureta Faraimo, 6. Kristian Freed, 7. Tui Samoa, 8. Eddy Pettybourne, 9. David Marando, 10. Mark Offerdahl, 11. Danny Howard, 12. Matt Shipway, 17. Gabriel Farley.

Interchange: 14. Sam Tochterman-Talbott, 15. Fotukava Malu, 18. Charles Cortalano, 20. David Ulch.

Referee – Ashley Klein