The Pacific Islanders have won their first ever rugby Test match as they stunned Italy 25-17 at the Stadio Giglio in Reggio Emilia.

It was the ninth time the Islanders had lined up against international opposition and the first time they have tasted success.

Following heavy defeats to England and France over the last two weekends the result on Saturday was a welcome boost for the team made up of Fijians, Samoans and Tongans.

However, it is back to the drawing board for Italy and their South African coach Nick Mallett who lost three out of three Tests this autumn after also going down at home to Australia and Argentina.

They were very poor in the first half and despite dominating after the break, struggling to break down the visitors' defence.

Italy's New Zealand born winger Kaine Robertson blamed his team's mental approach for the defeat.

"We were in their 22 throughout the whole of the second half but we only managed to score one try," he said.

"I can't explain our first half. We worked well during the week, we were very motivated.

"We need to be more humble. We should beat this lot if we play to our true level, it's mental."

The Islanders got off to a terrific start as Vilimoni Delasau went over in the right hand corner following a slick move in the backs.

Seremaia Bai kicked over the defence and Samoan Sailosi Tagicakibau picked up the ball before off-loading in the tackle to Fijian Delasau to score after just four minutes.

Bai kicked the conversion before minutes later Italy's Andrea Marcato kicked a penalty to bring the scores back to 7-3.

That was a rare penalty attempt from the hosts who otherwise kicked to the corners in an attempt to go for a push-over try.

That tactic worked as Italy worked the ball from right to left and back again before great, quick hands from captain Sergio Parisse in ther line created the space for Leonardo Ghiraldini to sneak over in the corner.

Marcato landed the conversion and then Bai levelled matters with a successful penalty on 19 minutes.

But the Fijian fly-half soon found himself in the sin bin after pole-axing Mirco Bergamasco with a high tackle.

Yet despite playing a man down the Islanders pinned Italy back in their 22 and Delasau burrowed over from close range for his second score of the game.

Samoan Seilala Mapusua missed the conversion but Italy then suffered another setback just before the break as Kaine Robertson also saw yellow.

Now with a man advantage the Islanders capitalised and full-back Kameli Ratuvou picked the ball up from a break down and skipped through a gaping hole in the Italy backline.

Bai converted to give the tourists a 22-10 lead at the break and soon after the restart he added a penalty.

Italy then started to take control and pin the Islanders down inside their own half.

But the hosts suffered from over elaboration as they seemed desperate to score and often negated their own good work with poor decisions and poor handling.

Yet with 15 minutes to go their pressure finally told as a flicked pass from Parisse sent Mauro Bergamasco over for the score, with Marcato converting.

But after that the Islanders' defence held firm and Italy slumped to a fourth successive defeat.

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