Another commendable Uruguay performance, another far more established rugby nation given an anxiety-inducing examination on the biggest stage. Searching questions were asked, mistakes were forced, and half-time daylight created on the scoreboard for the South Americans as they searched for a fourth win at a Rugby World Cup.
In the end, Italy earned the right to canter over the line in a relentlessly pulsating match. It was to their credit that they refused to panic and eventually wore down Uruguay with precise tactical kicking, powerful carrying and, most notably, an admirable willingness to run the ball from all over.
