Rugby World Cup 2019: Italy bulldoze Canada for second bonus-point win

Azzuri make it 14 tries in two games with crushing result against Canadians despite making 10 changes

Bryce Campbell of the US scores their first try against England at the Kobe Misaki Stadium. Reuters

Will Hooley of the US receives medical attention during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match. Reuters

Billy Vunipola, third from left, of England in action during the Rugby World Cup clash against USA at Kobe Misaki Stadium. EPA

England and United States players shake hands following their Pool C game. AP

Italian supporters cheer during the Rugby World Cup in Fukuoka. EPA

Ellis Genge of England breaks past Blaine Scully of USA at Kobe Misaki Stadium. Getty

United States' Marcel Brache, number 13, congratulates teammate Bryce Campbell in Kobe. AP

England's Anthony Watson passes the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool C game at Kobe Misaki Stadium. AP

Canada supporters at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium. AFP

England's Ben Youngs is challenged at the Kobe Misaki Stadium. PA

An Italian supporter takes a selfie after Rugby World Cup match between Italy and Canada. EPA

England wing Joe Cokanasiga, centre, scores a try during the Pool C match against the US. AFP

Joe Cokanasiga of England scores his team's seventh try against USA. Getty

England back row Mark Wilson, right, is tackled by US flanker Tony Lamborn, left. AFP

Canadian fans were out in full support in Fukuoka. EPA

England number 8 Billy Vunipola scores a try at the Kobe Misaki Stadium. AFP

Joe Cokanasiga of England scores his team's seventh try in Kobe. Getty

Players clash during the Group C game between England and USA at the Kobe Misaki Stadium. Getty

England's Ruaridh McConnochie scores his sides fifth try. Press Association

England flanker Tom Curry, centre, is tackled by US lock Ben Landry, second right, during the Pool C match. AFP

Canada and Italy vie for the ball in Fukuoka. EPA

England's Joe Cokanasiga battles with Will Hooley of the US. Reuters

England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, centre, scores a try against the US. AFP

England fans before the start of the match at the Kobe Misaki Stadium. Getty

England supporters at Kobe Misaki Stadium during the Rugby World Cup. Getty

A Canada and Italy supporter at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium. AFP

Fans of Canada pose for a photo as they arrive at the Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium. Getty

Italy crushed Canada to bag their second bonus-point win in as many games with a 48-7 Rugby World Cup victory in Fukuoka on Thursday.

It was not a perfect performance as Italy slipped at times from flair and finesse to sloppy, but they did enough to dominate seven tries to one.

With Italy seeking a first World Cup quarter-final berth, their maximum points from two matches sent a message to heavyweights South Africa not to underestimate them.

The Springboks, who lost their opener against New Zealand, paid a big price when they took Japan lightly at the last World Cup and cannot afford to do the same again when they meet Italy in Shizuoka in eight days.

Italy showed their depth by making 10 changes to the starting XV when they beat Namibia and were still too strong for the Canadians.

A day after Uruguay's shock win over Fiji, Canada started with hopes of achieving a similar upset.

The mostly neutral crowd also gave their support to the Canadians in the 22,000-seat stadium, but it was the vastly rearranged Italian side with the superior forward pack who controlled most of the game.

In a dominant opening spell, fly-half Tommaso Allan landed a penalty and converted tries by Braam Steyn and Dean Budd.

Steyn sent Peter Nelson flying and barged between Nick Blevins and Jeff Hassler on a short-range charge at the line.

New Zealand-born second-rower Budd, filling in as captain with Sergio Parisse rested, galloped 30 metres through a non-existent defence for his try.

Mattia Bellini of Italy breaks before scoring his team's fifth try against Canada. Getty

Italy's explosive start realised 17 points in 15 minutes.

Canada arrested the scoring spree for the remainder of the half, but their own scoring opportunities evaporated with missed tackles, a misfiring lineout, and wrong options.

Replacement Matt Heaton dropped the ball when he had the line at his mercy after Tyler Ardron busted his way through the Italian defence.

DTH Van der Merwe confronted Italian fullback Matteo Minozzi with a two-man overlap and fed Gordon McRorie on the outside who was bustled into touch.

The second half was barely three minutes old when Italy were on the board again with Sebastian Negri scoring their third try.

Canada went close again when Van der Merwe set up Hassler but the cover defence put the wing out in the corner.

A penalty try for an illegal tackle by Heaton ensured the bonus point for Italy and reduced Canada to 14-men with Heaton in the sin bin.

Mattia Bellini stretched the lead to 36-0 before Andrew Coe scored in the right corner to get Canada on the board.

But the Italian pack, who had an impressive night, responded immediately to drive over the line for Federico Zani to touch down, and the backline followed with a long-range attack that ended with a try to Minozzi.