Wales beat Italy to qualify for next years Rugby League World Cup in Australia

 

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Wales Dragons have qualified for next year’s Rugby League World Cup defeating Italian Azzurri 20 to 14 at Stadia Brianteo in Monza.

The Welsh national side, who are based are at Deeside Leisure Centre and is home to the teams elite training facility, were trailing 14-6 at half time before Anthony Walker stepped in with a special play.

Wales debutant Danny Ansell came off the bench to play a prominent part in the game crossing for the opening try in the 15th minute after Fozard had broken clear and positioned him to the posts with an inside pass.

Lloyd White’s kicks caused problems but Italy enjoyed most of the possession for the next 10 minutes and on a third repeat set from consecutive drop outs, Colin Wilkie jinked onto a pass to score, Terry Campese levelling with the conversion.

Straight after, a fumbled kick by the visitors saw winger Justin Castellaro go over in the corner, Campese nailing the conversion and then a penalty, after he was hit late by Gil Dudson on 37th minutes.

Wales hit back immediately, Walker picking up the ball from the back of a scrum 20 metres out and crashing over, Davies wide with the goal attempt to leave it 14-10 at the break.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

Unbelievable scenes in monza as Wales win against Italy to go through to the world cup pic.twitter.com/ADJQfxMokd

— Ian Fozard (@fozfonnzy) October 29, 2016

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Fischio finale e @WalesRugbyL qualificato alla @RLWC2017 14-20 allo Stadio Brianteo di Monza. ????? #rugbyleague #RLWC #unaFamiglia
— FIRL Italia RLeague (@ITALIA_RLXIII) October 29, 2016

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VIDEO: They’re out! The atmosphere is building. Come on, lads! #WalesRL #RLWC2017 #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/4kQCjsmGoH

— Wales Rugby League (@WalesRugbyL) October 29, 2016

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Wales were ahead 12 minutes after the break, Italy fumbling a White kick and Fozard swooping to send Andrew Gay in to score, Davies edging them ahead with a terrific touchline conversion.

And, just before the hour, on the back of Craig Kopczak’s break, Fozard was again the provider with a popped pass for Morris’ second, Davies wide with the extras.

From there it became a tough, physical battle, Joe Burke suffering a badly broken nose but Wales held on, their travelling band of 200 fans getting louder as victory grew nearer.

PIC: Plenty of #WalesRL fans in Stadio Brianteo ahead of this afternoon’s #RLWC2017 Qualifier against Italy. #rugbyleague pic.twitter.com/5fnsDguhgB
— Wales Rugby League (@WalesRugbyL) October 29, 2016

The Italians were kept scoreless in the second half and ran out of attacking ideas in the closing stages, having twice dropped the ball in the corner.

Ansell nearly uncovered Wales’ record try scorer Rhys Williams with a kick to the corner, and he wide with a drop goal attempt five minutes from time but the determined Welsh hung on to win 20 – 14.

Victorious coach John Kear said;

“It’s really pleasing, if you are going to achieve things its got to be difficult but the collective spirit, desire and passion was there for all to see,

The players felt that they didn’t do themselves justice in the 2013 World Cup and are looking at putting that right.”

ITALY 14
Tries: Wilkie (26), Castellaro (29)
Goals: Campese 3/3

WALES 20
Tries: Morris (16, 59), Walker (37), Gay (52)
Goals: Davies 2/4

Additional reporting via www.rlwc2017.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]