Wynne Gray: Azzurri exit the killing fields

Discussions about an iniquitous World Cup draw have been done to death and the Italians, one of the sides who have suffered the most, inevitably were sent to the tournament gallows.

In recent years they have been lampooned as a pasta production, a fashion rather than a football statement, a nation suited to soccer rather than the Six Nations.

As they regrouped behind their goalline on Saturday waiting for Wales to kick at goal, some Canberra spectator tossed a soccer ball into their midst.

It was nothing like the detonator the International Rugby Board tossed at the Azzurri when they demanded they play four pool games in 14 days.

That so insulted the Italians that coach John Kirwan did his best Latin temperament impression, saying his team would consider withdrawing from the fifth tournament.

Instead, they have retreated home, beaten by fatigue, a lack of depth to cope with an atrocious schedule and finally 27-15 by a barely-competent Welsh side on Saturday.

Had Italy won, an historic quarter-final awaited - with a ridiculous fortnight gap - against England.

Wales have a week until they face the All Blacks in their last game, a respite for them to recharge their battered squad and consider who to send to the Sydney killing fields in a test they no longer need to win.

That same weekend England will rest some of their top troops against Uruguay, and Wales would be mugs if they did not follow suit.

After the top-eight World Cup dream disappeared in Canberra, Kirwan graciously chose not to grandstand about the disgraceful draw. He knew what it meant to Wales to make the quarters. Whatever the unjust schedule they had put their all in a game where they lost several players to serious injury.

Wales had succeeded, Italy had not, that was international sport.

"When a coach asks his players to put everything they've got and leave it all on the field, a coach can only be satisfied with what went on," Kirwan said.

Italy are out of their league in looking to beat the All Blacks, but were in with a chance in all their other games.

They competed strongly in the set pieces and unveiled the smooth kicking five-eighths Rima Wakarua. Beyond that there was little sophistication, little manipulation of space like you thought the Italians might discover.

Fatigue flattened their approach, they bashed and hammered on passion, but did not have the fortune or skill to make inroads.

Wales were not much better. They were stodgy, outmuscled but calm enough to collect a couple of dagger blows beyond Iestyn Harris' goalkicking. Beyond the league recruit they are an average side.

If the All Blacks click on Sunday in Sydney, Wales could be in for an embarrassing beating, not what they need heading for the quarters.

At least that would lay down some sort of challenge to England, a side who have already dealt with the All Blacks' likely quarter-final opponents, South Africa.