Keen to find out whether this Samoa side has improved enough to beat Italy, or at least to seriously challenge them. They impressed during this year's Pacific Nations Cup.

I guess Padovani and Capuozzo, the Italian heroes of the last 6N, are injured as they don't feature in the 23s.

That was a beautiful non-try from Samoa. Little knock-on causing it to be disallowed.

It's been all Samoa in the first 6 minutes.

Two converted tries to Italy within 5 minutes. Momentum has clearly shifted.

20 - 0 to Italy after 30 minutes. Quite disappointed that Samoa isn't playing better. The first 5 - 10 minutes were promising, but since then ...

Very good tries tbf

@cgrant said in Italy v Samoa:

I guess Padovani and Capuozzo, the Italian heroes of the last 6N, are injured as they don't feature in the 23s.

Commentator just confirmed he is injured.

Embarrasing effort from Samoa. Thought this game would be a bit ore competitive.

HT: Italy 28 - 0 Samoa

Samoa is better than this, but it's not showing. Defence seems optional. That yellow card isn't helping.

Italy clinical and taking their opportunities.

@African-Monkey Yes, really disappointing. I expected a lot more from Samoa.

Finally, a try to Samoa. That took 51 minutes.

35 - 7 to Italy

A late consolation try to Samoa makes it 49 - 17 to Italy.

That's the full time score.

Good game from the Italians; very disappointing performance from Samoa.

Italy was Samoa's strongest opponent on this tour. Their next games are against Georgia and Romania.

Italy will host Australia and South Africa in the next two weeks.

Honest comments from Michael Ala'alatoa, who wasn't happy at all about his team's performance.

That looked a very good Samian team on paper ( the best since the previous nation-hopping days of the 90s), so impressive by Italy. Especially as Italy missing their very good 2 youngsters.

Watched the 12 min highlights package, Italy were very slick.

The attacking shape of the Italians looked very good. Be interesting to see what they look like against better opposition.

@Stargazer said in Italy v Samoa:

That's the full time score.

Good game from the Italians; very disappointing performance from Samoa.

Italy was Samoa's strongest opponent on this tour. Their next games are against Georgia and Romania.

Italy will host Australia and South Africa in the next two weeks.

Georgia will definitely provide a bit of resistance. Let’s not forget Georgia beat the Italians earlier this year. Their forward pack seem better drilled and that kid fullback Niniashvili has some game.

@Rapido said in Italy v Samoa:

That looked a very good Samian team on paper ( the best since the previous nation-hopping days of the 90s), so impressive by Italy. Especially as Italy missing their very good 2 youngsters.

Watched the 12 min highlights package, Italy were very slick.

Forwards are OK on paper but that looks like worst Samoan backline unit in many years to me. Lacks pace too much

I've just been watching this game. The tackling and ball security, in the 1st half especially, was really poor. Samoa struggled to defend the maul as well. A big step backwards from their PNC performances.

Crowley has got the Italian attack humming.

@Bovidae It will be interesting to see how Italy goes in the next November tests. Crowley now is about a year or so in charge of the team. Effects - if any - of his coaching should now be noticeable.* Are they improving, or not? This test v Samoa doesn't answer that question, but tests against Australia and South Africa will give us an idea, although - obviously - I don't know much about most of the players in the squad, injuries etc.

(*I haven't followed much of the 6 Nations this year)

They now get an attacking structure, which was non existing in a recent past. Garbisi is an excellent 1st five, he is controlling the game very well. What they lack is a power runner up front. Is Polledri still injured ?