Wales progress after beating Italy
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Dafydd Jones scores vital try for Wales against Italy
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CANBERRA, Australia -- Wales qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals on Saturday when they wore down a tired Italy to win 27-15 in their pool D match.
Wales scored three tries to nil against a tired and bruised Italy side, who ran out of energy in a match for which they had only four days to prepare.
The Azzurri, who have never reached the knockout phase, needed to beat Wales to qualify but go home having won two of their four pool matches.
Had Italy won Wales would have had to cause a major upset and topple favourites New Zealand, who have already qualified, next Sunday.
The outcome of that match is now irrelevant with Wales on 13 points from three matches to Italy's eight points from four.
Winger Mark Jones, centre Sonny Parker and flanker Dafydd Jones crossed for Wales while all of Italy's points came from the boot of New Zealand-born flyhalf Rima Wakarua, who kicked five penalties.
Wales were forced to struggle to the end but could have won more comfortably had centre Iestyn Harris not missed three kickable penalties in the second half. Harris finished with 12 points from two penalties and three conversions.
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