4. Back-to-back Bonus Point Wins at 2019 Rugby World Cup
Two memorable matches in one here, as Italy pulled off stunning back-to-back victories in the 2019 Rugby World Cup Pool Stages. Italy have not had the best track record at Rugby World Cups, as they have never managed to progress out of the Pool Stages in the competition.
However, Kieran Crowley’s side of talented youngsters aim to break that trend at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and reach the quarter-finals for the first time in the nation’s history. Four years ago, Italy fell just short of achieving that feat, as they started off their campaign in style. A 47-22 victory over Namibia presented the Italians at full force, as Tommaso Allan, Tito Tebaldi, Mattia Bellini, Carlo Canna, Jake Polledri and Matteo Minozzi all crossed over for tries.
Italy followed up this bonus point win, with another landslide victory in the 2019 RWC Pool Stages. Italy decimated Canada 48-7 in round two, with Minozzi and Bellini on the scoreboard once again. Additional Italian tries came from Abraham Steyn, Dean Budd, Sebastian Negri and Federico Zani, as the Azzurri put Canada to the sword. This victory ensured Italy third place in the group behind rugby titans New Zealand and South Africa.
This bronze medal finish secured Italy automatic qualification for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. And who knows, they could have pulled of a miracle against the All Blacks to progress out of the group. The infamous Typhoon Hagibis cancelled the fixture and ruled the match a 0-0 draw, as Japan was struck by the catastrophic natural disaster.