Italy rebound from Samoa loss with win on Tonga

Italy brushed aside last week's upset loss to Samoa and got back to its winning ways by running in five tries in a convincing 36-14 victory over Tonga in Nuku'alofa on Friday.

Tries from wingers Jacopo Trulla and Monty Ioane, combined with a penalty and conversion from flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, gave the visitors a comfortable 15-0 halftime lead in the Tongan capital.

Loose forward Viliami Taulani got Tonga on the board with a try early in the second half, but Italy skipper Michele Lamaro and scrumhalf 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 Japan for the final leg of their tour with a skip in their step.