NORTHAMPTON – Italy put on a counter-attacking display worthy of the RWC 2025 knockout stages, beating Brazil 64-3 in Pool D at Franklin’s Gardens to leave Le Azzurre wondering what might have been after they missed out on the quarter-finals.
Story of the match
Brazil dominated the early exchanges and took the lead when Raquel Kochhann kicked a close-range penalty goal.
But this seemed to spark Italy – still smarting from losing to South Africa to end their hopes of a quarter-final place – into life, a six-try blitz putting them out of sight before half-time.
The biggest cheer of the opening period came when Giovanna Barth seemed to have scored for Brazil under the posts. But the TMO (television match official) had spotted a tiny knock-on by the livewire winger, much to the disappointment of an enthusiastic sell-out crowd.
Italy’s momentum slowed in the second half as Brazil dug in, but Le Azzurre still managed another six tries, with Francesca Granzotto and Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi – who carried for an incredible 193 metres – each completing hat-tricks.
Mastercard Player of the Match
Isabella Locatelli epitomised Italy’s willingness to attack from anywhere, leading the way with four offloads and 14 gain-line carries.
“It was a very tough journey,” she admitted, “but I am very happy because this is a team achievement. It was fundamental for us to end with a win. We are very, very happy.”
Coach insight
Despite Italy’s disappointing exit, head coach Fabio Roselli preferred to look to the future.
“It’s not easy because we started less than seven months ago, so close to the Six Nations,” he said. “We are starting a new journey now.
“I am very proud. We have a lot of young players, who are at their first Rugby World Cup. They show great potential.”
Brazil head coach Emiliano Caffera said the main takeaway from the tournament for his team was “the experience: showing the world that Brazil has rugby 15s, and that we have a lot of good girls.
“Now what we need is: more games, more tournaments, more support. We play two or three games a year; I want to play nine, 10, 12 games a year.”
Stat of the Day
2 – Number of successful conversions by Italy out of 12 kicks, that’s just 16.6%, perhaps reflecting a lack of ruthlessness that might have put Le Azzurre into the knockout stages.
Next steps
Debutants Brazil leave RWC 2025 as every neutral’s favourite team while Italy will take no solace from the fact that that are probably the best team not to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Sweet Bacon
Sport Trivia: Alice Annum was the only Ghanian woman to make the final of her event at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Which event was this?Answer: 100m – There were only two female athletes in the Ghanaian team in 1972. They both competed in the 100m sprint, with Alice placing sixth in the final. Her teammate Hannah Afriyie went out in the second round of the heats.
racy lady
Rugby union was only classified as a professional sport in 1995 – When a schism formed and rugby became rugby league and rugby union in 1895, rugby union was no longer considered a professional sport. Shockingly, this remained the case until a century later, when in 1995, it was given the same recognition afforded to rugby league.