Italy 32
Romania 22
Italy out muscled a gritty Romanian side to claim victory in their final game of RWC 2015, securing automatic qualification to Japan 2019 in the process.
In total, there were seven trys, with Italy claiming the bonus point early in the second half before allowing the Oaks back into the game.
Italy were looking to bounce back after their agonising defeat to Ireland last week, while the eastern Europeans were coming into this one on a high after their remarkable comeback victory over Canada.
Romania got off to a promising start, with their scrum sending Italy backwards and Florian Vlaicu kicking an early penalty, but that was to be short lived as Italy soon found their momentum.
The Azzuri nearly responded immediately after Edoardo Gori's brilliant individual effort was ruled out for a knock-on as he attempted to regather his kick.
It didn't take long after for Italy to get off the mark with Zebre wing Leonardo Sarto touching down in the left corner after being released by Michele Campagnaro, who took a brilliant line to get in behind the Romanian defence.
It was to get worse for the Oaks as South Arican born lock Johannes van Heerden saw yellow for cynically slapping the ball out of Gori's hands close to his own line. Tommaso Allan converted that into points to stretch the Italian lead to five after 15 minutes.
Gori did cross for the Italians, sniping over from the back of a scrum in the 23rd minute. Allan converted and there was daylight between the teams.
Allan then crossed for a try just before the break as a wraparound move from Gori put the Perpignan fly-half through the gap, and he showed a turn of pace to race home from the 10m line.
Alessandro Zanni secured the bonus point when he burrowed over from the back of a scrum in the 45th minute before Romania were finally rewarded for their efforts.
First Andrea Apostol crossed in the 65th minute after a Romanian scrum five meters out, then Valentin Poparlan grounded from close range in the 75th minute. Tommaso Allan struck a penalty in between the two trys.
Romanian tails were up and incredibly they got in for a third before the end of the game, with Apostol crossing for his second after Florian Vlaicu spun one wide.
That was to be the final score as Italy secured 3rd in Pool C and automatic qualification for the next World Cup in 2019. For Romania, they will have to go through the qualifying route once again but the signs are very encouraging after their performance at this years tournament.
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