Italy v Pacific Islands
Pacific Islands record first-ever victory
Scrum.com
November 22, 2008
Date/Time: Nov 22, 2008, 15:00 local, 14:00 GMT
Venue: Stadio Giglio, Reggio Emilia
Italy 17 - 25 Pacific Islanders
Attendance: 13595  Half-time: 10 - 22
Tries: M Bergamasco, Ghiraldini
Cons: Marcato 2
Pens: Marcato
Tries: Delasau 2, Ratuvou
Cons: Baikeinuku 2
Pens: Baikeinuku 2
Pacific Islanders' flanker Nili Latu (C) is tackled by Italy's No.8 Sergio Parisse (L) and Italy's lock Marco Bortolami during their Test match at Giglio Stadium in Reggio Emilia on November 22, 2008.
The Islanders' Nili Latiu works hard to protect the ball against the Azzurri
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The Pacific Islanders claimed their first Test victory with a 25-17 win over Italy at Reggio Emilia.

Fijian winger Vilimoni Delasau crossed for two scores, hist first after only three minutes. Following a scrappy opening set of exchanges, Delasau crossed in the corner before adding his second on the half-hour. Saracens full-back Kameli Ratuvou also scored for the Islanders while Seremaia Bai added ten-points from the boot.

Leonardo Ghiraldini and Mauro Bergamasco crossed in response for the Azzurri. Young fly-half Andrea Marcato notched seven points with the boot. Nick Mallett's Italy side has failed to record a victory in their autumn programme, losing to Australia, Argentina and now the Islanders.

No.8 Sergio Parisse, nominated for IRB Player of the Year, provided a moment of magic with a flick pass behind his back to allow Bergamasco to scamper in to score but it was an all to brief moment to savour for the Italian fans.

Italy: Masi, Robertson, M. Bergamasco, Garcia, Pratichetti, Marcato, Travagli, Aguero, Ghiraldini, Nieto, Reato, Bortolami, Sole, M. Bergamasco, Parisse.

Replacements: McLean for Masi (62), Lo Cicero for Aguero (65), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (55), Perugini for Nieto (72), Zanni for Sole (40). Not Used: Canavosio, Pavan.

Pacific Islanders: Ratuvou, Tagicakibau, Mapusua, Taione, Delasau, Bai, Martens, Va'a, Fuga, Pulu, Levi, Hehea, Vaki, Latu, Koyamaibole.

Replacements: Williams for Ratuvou (72), Rabeni for Taione (63), Rauluni for Martens (63), Lea'aetoa for Pulu (54), Naevo for Hehea (62), T-Pole for Koyamaibole (56). Not Used: Koto Vuli.

Sin Bin: Bai (25).

Att: 13,595

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Touch judges: Christophe Berdos, Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Television Match Official: Geoff Warren (England)

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