Rugby World Cup: Italians outplay Russian ruggers

Italy illustrated the benefits of playing regular international Test rugby when they routed Russia 53-17 in the only game at the World Cup on Tuesday, while players from the Pacific islands were in hot water with tournament officials.

Captain Sergio Parisse was at the heart of his side’s best moments in a dominant first half for the Italians, breaking tackles and linking backs with forwards as they jumped out to a 38-7 lead at halftime.

Italy scored nine tries, one of which was a penalty try as their dominance at the scrum proved too much for Russia, and it was the first time they scored 50 points in a World Cup match.

Italy joined the Six Nations in 2000 and the benefits of regular top-level competition were plain to see against weaker opposition.   

“We haven’t often played against sides lower than us, in fact they are only the second team we have played in the last four years who are lower than us in the IRB rankings,” Italy coach Nick Mallett said.

“So I was a little bit nervous with how it was going to go but very pleased how we came through it.”

Fiji’s Dominiko Waqaniburotu fell foul of officials when he was banned for three weeks for a dangerous tackle on South Africa’s Pat Lambie on Saturday.

The suspension means the 25-year-old’s World Cup is effectively over unless Fiji embark on an unlikely run to the last four as he will not be eligible to return until Oct. 10 — the day after the completion of the quarterfinals.