Italy withstood a late charge from Canada to hold on for a 19-14 victory at Canberra Stadium, Canberra tonight.
The Italian defence holding on for a frantic final 20 minutes against a Canadian side that refused to go down without a fight.
In one of the toughest games played in the Tournament the Italians were able to take advantage of the yellow card of Canadian centre Marco di Girolamo in the 51st minute, scoring ten points during his time on the sideline.
Minutes after Canada were reduced to 14 men the Azzurri showed that defence can be the best form of attack.
Punishing defence
Some outstanding tackling forced the Canadians back 40 metres while in attack, punishing Azzurri defence causing a turn over for Parrisse to scoop up the loose ball and charge 10 metres to score.
Once in a commanding lead the Italians started to loose their way with some poor handling.
Canada scored a stunning try in the 67th minute to set the game alight with the Calgary Irish fullback Quentin Fyffe on the end of a sweeping backline movement.
Both teams had been trading errors, but when Gonzalo Canale knocked on inside his own 22, the Canadians pounced, sending the ball from one side of the field to the other.
Charging home
The Canadians were now storming home. The crowd were on the edge of their seat when Barker hit the post with an attempted penalty goal.
With the Canucks banging on the door the Italians showed exceptional composure to hold their defensive line.
Such defence will give them a real confidence boost ahead of their crunch match against Wales this Saturday night.
Extra spice was added to the grandstand finish when Italian hooker Fabio Ongaro was handed a yellow card with just two minutes left.
Action started early
Canada opened the scoring through fly half Jared Barker who landed a penalty goal in the 11th minute to get his side on the board after they had absorbed plenty of Italian pressure early in the game.
In the first twenty minutes the Canadian side was forced into plenty of defence with the Italians constantly scheming through their general Alessandro Troncon, to their credit though they held strong.
However the Italians were finally able to take advantage of their time in possession thanks to a total domination of set pieces through a penalty goal to their New Zealand born fly half Rima Wakarua to level the scores on 23 minutes.
On the half hour Wakarua put the Italians in front landing a long range penalty.
With time ticking down the Canadians had their most promising period of possession, but they were unable to crack the solid Italian defensive wall.
The sides then traded penalty goals to round out the half.
Italy 19
Tries: Sergio Parisse
Con: Wakarua
Pen: Wakarua (4)
Defeated
Canada 14
Tries: Fyffe
Penalties: Barker (3)