Italy coach Jacques Brunel gave credit to Wales following their 26-9 win at a rain-lashed Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.
For the hosts, it was a harsh return to reality after the euphoria of a deserved 23-18 win over France at the Olympic Stadium in near perfect conditions three weeks ago.
Italy next succumbed to a 34-10 defeat against a clinical Scotland at Murrayfield, and on Saturday gained little reward for a performance which left Brunel mystified.
Italy were without captain and influential number eight Sergio Parisse, who last week was handed a 30-day ban for insulting a referee while playing for French club side Stade Francais.
He was replaced by Fijian-born Manoa Vosawai, and while he proved efficient Parisse's absence appeared to tell as the hosts struggled against an astute Welsh defence.
Brunel made a series of replacements, but Italy were later penalised when Martin Castrogiovanni, standing in as captain for Parisse, was sin-binned for persistent infringements at the scrum.
"I don't think the attitude of the players was the problem," said Brunel.
"We didn't manage the game well, especially in the first half. We didn't put them under pressure, our kicking was irregular and Wales were more precise.
"Their kicking was better and Wales were generally more efficient.
"Our game just wasn't there, it seemed. You could say we struggled more than the Welsh did in these conditions."
Italy face England at Twickenham on March 10 before capping their tournament by hosting Ireland six days later.
After their performance - and England's dismantling of France which kept their Grand Slam hopes alive - it seemed an understatement when a sheepish Castrogiovanni said: "Our next game won't be easy."
Comments
Lucasrg says...
Bring back Di Bernardo at 10 or give a chance to youngsters at 10 like Morisi or Buso...there is no better opportunity to try this for the future.
Posted 17:56 26th February 2013
PREEST says...
Italy beat the French because the French are rubbish, not because Italy played well. Otherwise they would have made a game of it against two average teams in.Scotland and Wales. The six nations started well but has turned to a bore fest. Just bring on the Rugby Championship already!!
Posted 12:06 25th February 2013
carpelone says...
This game exposed the lack of depth in the Italian team. Missing Parisse is like missing two players as it affected also the line-out calls (as the subs showed, with Minto coming off instead of Pavanello).
Gori had a shocker, with extremely poor kicking game. Drop goal should be a last resort, instead Burton is happy to shoot it even during initial phases, communicating no confidence on how the play will evolve.
Brunel should insist on Gori at halfback and bringing back Orquera.
Canale was poor at inside centre and Brunel should consider bringing in Masi there and adjust the back three consequently. Or to bring in Garcia, a strong defender, with a long range boot.
I do not know which were the reasons for o poor performance of the Italian scrum. Maybe Ghiraldini was not at his best, combined with Castro having a shocker. My opinion is that early engagements are the key, whoever gets the position dominate the scrum. Normally, once a team gets the dominance at scrum, it keeps it for the whole game. I haven't seen so many changes of dominance during a single game. Castro sin bin was a tad harsh though.
Posted 09:55 25th February 2013
Iyhel says...
I was full of hope for Italy as well after their win against France but it looks like they just know how to raise against us and fall back into mediocrity afterwards. Orquera for one really had the game of his life, it's a pity he cannot replicate that on a regular basis for Burton is no satisfaction either.
Posted 09:54 25th February 2013
giomamo says...
Very poor performance by italian side. Kicking game with no sense, handling game disappeared, even dominated in scrums. Wales played a normal game with a good defensive attitude and they were cinical enough to earn by opportunities. Italy just didn't play for long minutes and now they are waited to a terrible effort in Twickenham.
Posted 09:08 25th February 2013
melkdave says...
I have to say ,i really thought Italy had arrived as serious contenders in the 6Ns .After their deserved victory over France in round one Since then though they have seemed to take 3 steps back,and the welsh demolition of Italys scrum,was totally unexpected ,the one part of Italys game you think you could rely on just fell apart in the 1st half ,,and really didnt recover.Italy im afraid still havent fully arrived ,but it has to be soon imo.
Posted 19:50 24th February 2013