Italy set-up showdown

Parisse: Opened the scoring

Italy kept the pressure up on Ireland and Australia in Pool C as they overcame the USA 27-10 in Nelson.

It wasn't a great performance from a much-changed Azzurri line-up but the bonus-point win means they move level on points with the Wallabies in the standings.

And although Ireland top the pool by three points, it means victory for Italy in their clash in Dunedin would see them take their place in the last eight for the first time.

Sergio Parisse, Luciano Orquera and Martin Castrogiovanni all crossed for tries, while the Italian pack were awarded a penalty try. Mirco Bergamasco added two conversions and a penalty.

The Americans gave everything as they frustrated the Italians, although their discipline let them down - with Louis Stanfill sin-binned and the Eagles giving away too many penalties.

Chris Wyles weighed in with all their points, with a try, penalty and conversion.

Italy got off to the ideal start after three minutes as Parisse was put free after a relentless wave of attacks drew in the USA defence. Bergamasco converted.

The USA, though, hit back as Wyles dived over after Paul Emerick had hammered through the Italian midfield and offloaded to the Saracens full-back. Wyles converted to level the scores on 19 minutes.

Frustrate

The Azzurri moved back in front with a Bergamasco penalty, only for Wyles to respond five minutes later as the Americans continued to frustrate Italy.

Orquera, though, crossed for a second try as he scooted around the America defence - although poor defending from Andrew Suniula made it easy for the Azzurri fly-half.

Castrogiovanni was then denied by the TMO just before half-time, with Todd Clever preventing the prop from grounding the ball.

But there was no denying Castrogiovanni in injury time as he drove through three would-be tacklers for the third try.

Italy coach Nick Mallett was less than impressed with what he had seen in the first 40 minutes and he sent his side out early after delivering a half-time dressing down.

The rollicking appeared to have little effect, though, as the Azzurri struggled for continuity after the break, with their misfiring lineout in particular upsetting their rhythm.

A series of scrums in the USA 22 without a point will have done little to ease Mallett's temper either - although the Eagles were reduced to 14 men as Stanfill was sin-binned following a number of penalties.

Blaine Scully was lucky not to follow him two minutes later after kneeing Bergamasco in the ribs.

But referee George Clancy finally lost patience with the Eagles as he awarded a penalty try for yet another collapsed scrum. Bergamasco converted.

With the bonus point secured, Mallett rung the changes in his line-up - with neither side able to threaten the score.