Italy's national rugby team proved
too much for Canada on Saturday.
The 12th-ranked Italians defeated Canada 41-6, dominating the
Canadians with a strong second half.
Fly half Ander Monro kicked two first-half penalties for the
13th-ranked Canadians, who trailed 13-6 at halftime.
``Canada played really well in the first half, and then we had a
guy (Forrest Gainer) sent off the field for a yellow card, and that
put a lot of pressure on us,'' said Canadian head coach Ric Suggitt.
``Then our defence bent a little bit too much in the second half and
the Italians started to run away with it.
``After that the Italians kept 80 per cent of the possession of
the ball and put us under immense pressure.''
Winger Marko Stanojevic scored two tries to lead No. 12 Italy.
Replacement forwards Alessandro Zanni and Martin Castrogiovanni
and captain Marco Bortolami also scored for the Azzurri. Fullback
David Bortolussi kicked five conversions and two penalties.
The Canadians were missing Mike James, a lock who plays for Stade
Francais, because of his club commitments. The team was also without
Canadian forwards Colin Yukes and Jamie Cudmore, because of their
European club duties.
The Canadians were coming off a 62-26 loss to No. 9 Wales last
week. Canada's head coach Ric Suggitt made several changes to the
side since that loss. Lock Mike Burak had to return to his French
club side in Pau while winger James Pritchard was given leave to go
to Australia where he is best man in a wedding. Centre David Spicer
and No. 8 Sean-Michael Stephen were injured against Wales.
Italy, meanwhile, had narrowly lost to Australia and Argentina in
the last two weeks.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
