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Italy rebound from Samoa loss with win on Tonga

rugby12 July 2024 07:37| © Reuters
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Monty Ioane © Getty Images

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.

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