Ange Capuozzo’s first try in Italy’s historic win against Australia has been voted the 2022 Autumn Nations Series Try of the Series.
The dynamic full-back scored twice at Stadio Artemio Franchi to inspire the Azzurri to their first-ever win against the Wallabies.
The sensational score was one of ten finishes nominated for the Try of the Series, but Capuozzo still won it convincingly, with 52% of the fan vote.
The 23-year-old fought off competition from the likes of Rieko Ioane, Cheslin Kolbe and Freddie Steward to pick up the prize and cap an outstanding Autumn for Kieran Crowley’s side.
Capuozzo was key to Italy’s nail-biting victory in Florence, scoring two of his team’s three tries and proving a thorn in the side of the Wallabies’ defence all game.
His second proved to be the match-winner, but his first was truly a work of art, coming after some superb Italian handing.
With the score at 10-3, the Azzurri were in the ascendency, and with Jake Gordon in the sin-bin, they were on the hunt for another try.
After a ruck in the centre of the pitch, the ball passed through six pairs of hands before finding Capuozzo.
Italy had a one man overlap, but very little space to work with and a long way to go before reaching the try line.
However, the exciting star produced a moment of magic, selling a show and go to trick the last Australia defender and run to the whitewash unchallenged.
The score was the icing on the cake after an excellent Autumn Nations Series for Italy and Capuozzo.
Crowley’s side did not need their dynamic star back to beat a Samoa team rammed with talented players.
The full-back returned for the game against Australia and then made an incredible account of himself against world champions South Africa.
He scored another try to make the Springboks sweat, though they did eventually run out 63-21 winners.
With the Guinness Six Nations and a World Cup to come in the next 12 months, Capuozzo’s form on the international stage will be a huge boost for Italy fans everywhere.
And at just 23, he could be causing havoc for defenders and scoring classic tries in the Autumn Nations Series for years to come.
