(Reuters) – Aura Muzzo scored two tries as Italy fought back from an early deficit to pick up a bonus point in a 22-10 win over the United States in their first Pool B clash at the Women’s Rugby World Cup on Sunday.
Hallie Taufoou’s fourth-minute try gave the Americans an early lead in Whangarei, New Zealand, but Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi crossed for Italy before Muzzo’s brace and a superb solo effort from Maria Magatti n ensure victory.
The Italian field had been weakened by Ilaria Arrighetti’s early injury defeat and the United States took advantage of this, thwarting the Italians in the scrum, and Taufoou’s try gave the Americans the lead.
But for all their dominance, the Americans couldn’t add to their score in the first half and two minutes before the break Italy took the lead.
Francesca Sgorbini crossed the American defensive line before the ball was finally moved to the right for Minuzzi to score in the corner.
Eleven minutes into the restart, Muzzo latched on to Beatrice Rigoni’s drive to give Italy a 12-5 lead.
Jenny Kronish withdrew a try for the Americans following Minuzzi’s yellow card, but Rigoni again substituted Muzzo in the 63rd minute to restore the Italian advantage.
Magatti then sealed victory in emphatic fashion 10 minutes from time with a cross-sprint from 40 yards to score in the corner.