In their first summer test, Italy fell on the Samoan pitch after leading the entire match.
Samoa managed to overturn Italy (33-25), at home in Apia, while they were trailing by ten points before the last half-hour in this test match.
The Pacific men, led by their new coach Mahonri Schwalger and new captain, Theo McFarland, scored four tries to the Squadra Azzura’s three.
Italy led 25-15 heading into the final 30 minutes. Gonzalo Quesada, coach of the Italians, was able to count on the success of RC Toulon fly-half Paolo Garbisi (15 points), who also scored a try.
But the Italians, who were favourites, cracked in the scorching heat and humidity of Apia. Italy were coming off a historic Six Nations in which they beat Wales and Scotland and drew with France.
She continues her tour in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga, then will go to challenge Japan in Tokyo.
