SAN JOSE, California (AP) Albanian-born hooker Ornel Gega scored his second try of the match from a rolling maul in the 56th minute and Italy held on for a 24-20 win over the United States in a rugby union international on Saturday.
New Zealand-born flanker Tony Lamborn, making his test debut for the U.S., scored a try with four minutes remaining and A.J. MacGinty kicked the conversion to pull the Americans to within a point at 21-20.
But Italy defended strongly and flyhalf Carlo Canna kicked a late penalty, his third of the match, along with a dropped goal and conversion.
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Scores:
Italy 24 (Ornel Gega 2 tries; Carlo Canna conversion, 3 penalties, dropped goal), United States 20 (Tony Lamborn try, penalty try; A.J. MacGinty 2 conversions, 2 penalties). HT: 11-10.
