Italy flatter to deceive

Pool C/Italy 24 Romania 18:An out-of-sorts Italy claimed a stuttering 24-18 win over Romania in their second Pool C match at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille last night.

The Italians, who were crushed 76-14 by New Zealand in their opening game, took an early lead when secondrow Santiago Dellape barged over the line in the sixth minute.

The Azzurri flattered to deceive, however, and Romania fought back with tries from flanker Alexandru Manta and hooker Marius Tincu at the start of the second half to take a 12-8 lead.

But indiscipline let the Romanians down and the game turned in Italy's favour when they lost Manta to the sinbin and conceded a penalty try moments later.

Outhalf Ramiro Pez kicked the resulting conversion and three penalties to keep the Italians out of reach, though Romania earned a bonus point for finishing within seven on the scoreboard.

It was another disappointing performance for the Azzurri, who finished a best-ever fourth place in the Six Nations this year.

Italy shipped 38 points in the first 18 minutes against the All Blacks, but they made a better start this time round as they camped in the Romanian 22 early on.

They were rewarded for their pressure when Dellape powered over the line from close range.

Fullback David Bortolussi missed the conversion but atoned when he kicked a penalty to put Italy 8-0 up.

ITALY: Bortolussi; Robertson, Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, Masi; Pez, Griffen; Lo Cicero, Festuccia, Castrogiovanni; Dellape, Bortolami; Sole, Mauro Bergamasco, Parisse. Replacements: Bernabo for Dellape (8), Galon for Masi (42), Troncon for Griffen, Vosawai for Sole (both 49).

ROMANIA: Dumitras; Fercu, Gal, Gontineac, Brezoianu; Dimofte, Sirbu; Toderasc, Tincu, B Balan; Socol, Petre; Corodeanu, Manta, Tonita. Replacements: Mavrodin for Tincu (40), Popescu for Toderasc (64), Ratiu for Tonita (72), Vlad for Dumitras (79), Tudori for Manta, Calafeteanu for Sirbu (both 80).

Referee: T Spreadbury (England).

 Collins says citing system is 'a lottery'

New Zealand loose forward Jerry Collins believes the citing system at the World Cup is a lottery which makes it difficult for contact players to avoid punishment.

"You never know who is going to be sitting up in the box being the citing commissioner," Collins said yesterday.

"It's a lottery really whether you are going to get a referee who's pedantic or a referee who is going to enjoy the weather and the free-flowing rugby and let it go."

South African flanker Schalk Burger and US centre Paul Emerick have both been banned for dangerous tackles in recent games.

Asked if the game was in danger of losing some of its aggression, Collins replied: "I hope not because then I'll stop playing it. I can't comment on what's serious and what's not. It all comes down to who cops it on the field."

Collins said the All Blacks were aware of the tough stance taken on dangerous tackling but added that many of the challenges were accidental.

"It's a long way to come for your tournament to end early," he said. "But what can you do? Like Schalk, you go in low and then clip him high. In that game you could have cited 10 people."