The bounce of the rugby ball is unpredictable, and Italy learnt that lesson the hard way against Wales in Round Four of the Six Nations.
Rio Dyer capitalised on a lucky bounce to score the opening try of the Six Nations clash in Rome.
Bounce of the ball
In the eighth minute, Rhys Webb chipped a kick over the top and into the Italy 22.
The scrum-half had brilliantly spotted the space near the touchline after right wing Edoardo Padovani had come up in the defensive line.
With the winger leaving space on the right, Tommy Allan and Pierre Bruno charged towards the ball to cover.
The ball bounced once close to the touchline, and Bruno stalled his run, hoping the second bounce would take the ball into touch.
However, he misjudged the situation as the second bounce saw the ball go in the opposite direction.
It went directly between Bruno and Allan and into the path of a rampaging Dyer, who wrapped up the ball and ran in the opening try.
🏴 The bounce of a rugby ball, ey. Rio Dyer scores for Wales. #ITAvWAL pic.twitter.com/ew4hlPjNGW
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 11, 2023
The try was converted by Owen Williams as Wales took a 10-0 lead after just 10 minutes of the fixture.
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It was a bright start for Warren Gatland’s charges, who started their campaign with three straight defeats to Ireland, Scotland and England.
Italy famously defeated Wales last year in the Six Nations, ending a 36-game losing run in the tournament when they won 22-21 in Cardiff.
Prior to that match, Wales had won 16 in a row against Italy in all competitions – 14 in the Six Nations.
The Azzurri‘s two other victories over Wales came at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.
They claimed a 30-22 win in 2003 and beat Wales 23-20 in 2007.
On their previous visit to the Italian capital, Wales claimed a Wales’ 48-7 victory.