Italy have brushed aside last week’s upset rugby Test loss to Samoa in Apia and got back to winning ways by running in five tries in a convincing 36-14 victory over Tonga in Nuku’alofa.
Tries from wingers Jacopo Trulla and Melbourne-born Monty Ioane, combined with a penalty and conversion from five-eighth Paolo Garbisi, gave the visitors a comfortable 15-0 halftime lead in the Tongan capital on Friday.
Loose forward Viliami Taulani got the hosts on the board with a try early in the second half, but Italy skipper Michele Lamaro and halfback Alessandro Garbisi crossed for two more five-pointers to ensure there would be no more upsets.
Italy were awarded a late penalty try after Tonga collapsed four scrums under their posts, putting a gloss on the scoreline and sending the Azzuri off to face Eddie Jones’ Japan in Hokkaido next weekend for the final leg of their tour with a skip in their step.
Garbisi finished with a 14-point haul and the win cements Italy in the top ten of the World Rankings.
As for Tonga, they will get the chance to rebound when they host Spain next weekend.
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