Italy were left enraged after one of their substitutes Giovanni Pettinelli blocked his own team from scoring in Wednesday’s Rugby World Cup Pool A clash with Uruguay. A difficult first half saw Kieran Crowley’s side end the opening period down 17-7, but could have helped prevent such a deficit if they were not halted in their attempts to score a second try.
Italy led 7-0 thanks to Lorenzo Pani after seven minutes, who bundled himself over the line after his side had been given the advantage once Uruguay had collapsed the scrum.
They had gotten off to the perfect start against a tough opposition, following a TMO review, and soon had the chance to double their lead when baring down on the Uruguay try line. Ange Capuozzo kicked a ball through for winger Monty Ioane to latch onto – only for Pettinelli to block the path as he was warming up in the goal area.
Ioane may not have got on the receiving end of the kick as there was a covering Uruguay defender, but he was not given the chance to extend his side’s lead and quickly turned around to the unaware Pettinelli to berate him for blocking a potential try.
The fans then turned on Pettinelli, as Italians booed him for not being aware of his surroundings – despite rugby substitutes being allowed to warm up behind the posts. As there is not always enough dead ball space for replacements to properly warm up, they are able to keep warm on the field of play and can often be seen on the pitch – but rarely do affect play in the same way that Fusco did.
Italy were reminded to tell their substitutes to stay off the pitch after obstructing play, with ITV commentators Claire Thomas and Tom Shanklin perplexed at the situation, as they had claimed no such infringement had happened in games they had previously watched.
Italy’s first half dramatically shifted as they picked up two yellow cards in quick succession, finding themselves down to 13 men as Uruguay scored two tries and then a drop-goal before the half-time whistle blew to leave Italy in a precarious position.
But fortunately for Fusco, as his side were back to their full contingent they overpowered the opposition and put up 31 unanswered points in the second half.
Ioane did get his try after Michele Lamaro went over, before scores from Lorenzo Cannone and Juan Ignacio Brex put the finishing touches on the victory to go top of Pool A and spare their team-mate’s blushes, who was given the chance to redeem his error as Fusco was brought on with 20 minutes to play to help see out the win.
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