Italy beat Tonga 36-12 in a tightly fought Pool D match at Canberra Stadium with brothers Manuel and Denis (two) picking up all three of their tries.
Fly half Rima Wakarua had an almost flawless international debut for Italy, kicking five penalties and three conversions for 21 points in a composed all round display.
Tonga were the first to cross the line with a converted try to centre John Payne late in the first half to trail by just 9-7 at the break.
But the Tongans failed to get any rhythm in the match against a dominant Italian forward pack.
Italy’s scrum and lineout were solid throughout and they snared a heap of turnover ball through industrious work by loose forward trio Aaron Persico, Andrea de Rossi and 20 year old number 8 Sergio Parisse.
Tonga were well in the game, trailing by just 16-12 with 10 minutes to go, but Italy’s greater polish and committed forward effort led to a try each to the Dallan brothers.
Manuel’s 51st minute effort when he burst onto a short ball by Wakarua a perfect present for his 27th birthday today.
Tonga were rocked with the loss of their inspirational captain Inoke Afeaki in the 55th minute when he was stretchered off the field, concussed after a big tackle on Italy’s prop Andrea Lo Cicero.
Another birthday boy, Tonga left wing Tevita Tu’ifua, scored the try of the game when he sped down the left touch line, bursting onto quick turnover ball by scrum half Sililo Martens in the 59th minute.
But Italy, with the likes of Wakarua, fullback Gonzalo Canale, centre Cristian Stoica and the Dallan brothers controlling things out wide were just too polished on the night.
The win puts Italy third behind New Zealand and Wales in Pool D and keeps alive their hopes of reaching the knock out phase for the first time in their history.
Tonga
Tries: Payne, Tu’ifua
Conversion: Tu’ipulotu
Italy
Tries: Manuel Dallan, Denis Dallan (2)
Conv: Wakarua (3)
Penalties: Wakarua (5)