Ignoring the no-ruck issue for a moment, I thought there were a lot of positives for Italy.
- Some good interplay with real intent and well marshalled by Tomasso Allan
- general level of ball handling was good by Italian standards
- Gega, Favarro doing well in the pack
- Realising Campagnaro might be worth a pick (who'd of thunk it?)
- The development of Padovani at fullback (he was actually alright in the last two games too in difficult circumstances, showing real promise now that he is being allowed to actually run with the ball)
- Reasonably sound defence minus the times there were mental lapses
- Playing much closer to the ability of the players and showing that the South Africa performance might not be a complete flash in the pan.
Bad news is
- Injury to Allan when he was playing well (I can't find any word on it but it looked like a collarbone, which would end his tournament obviously).
- Allan's kicking from the tee and the lack of replacement (not sure why Mclean isn't used, it'd at least explain his presence in the starting XV)
On the no-ruck issue I don't think Eddie Jones emerges with a whole lot of credit, despite being gentleman enough to say he wasn't taking anything away from Italy. Hold your hand up, a rival coach got the jump on you. I also thought the game was highly entertaining, I couldn't take my eyes off it and think it would have been the same if I was a neutral.
Finally, I'm gutted that Ventner has been poached by the SARU. I'd have liked to think the FIR could have competed financially for his services, but I guess call of duty for his struggling home side would be hard to resist.
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Oops, also honourable mention for Poite, I thought he did fantastically in challenging circumstances.
