Six Nations: Wales sink Italy in wooden spoon decider

Wales coach Warren Gatland. Photo / Photosport

Italy is headed for another last-place finish in the Six Nations.

The Azzurri paid the price for yet another slow start and then losing two players to the sin-bin, sinking to a 29-17 defeat to Wales in a match billed as a wooden spoon decider this morning (NZT).

That’s a fourth straight loss in this championship for Italy, which needs to win in Scotland next weekend in the final round to stand a chance of avoiding finishing bottom of the standings.

The likelihood is, however, the Italians will be last for an eighth straight year in the Six Nations and the 18th time in 24 editions since joining the northern hemisphere tournament in 2000.

Their 25th successive Six Nations home loss had its origins in another, now-trademark sloppy first half, with Wales — piloted by the excellent Rhys Webb at scrumhalf — soaring into 10-0 lead after 10 minutes and a 22-3 lead by halftime.

Wales turned round with a man advantage, after Italy No. 8 Lorenzo Cannone pulled down a 34th-minute maul to give away a penalty try and earn a yellow card, and then benefitted from the 46th-minute sin-binning of home winger Pierre Bruno for leading with his left forearm into the throat of Wales prop Wyn Jones.

Webb sent in No. 8 Taulupe Faletau for the bonus-point fourth try in the 50th, enough to give them their first points of the championship and a first win in the second reign of Warren Gatland after earlier losses to Ireland, Scotland and England.

Wales has five points and Italy is on one. Wales closes against France in Paris. The Italians played some exciting stuff again, with second-half tries by flanker Sebastian Negri and center Juan Ignacio Brex the least they deserved for matching Wales for large parts of the game at Stadio Olimpico.

Brex’s try in the 68th set up a frantic finale and Italy had enough possession and territory to grab two more tries and take the win. Poor handling cost them dear after a slew of line breaks.