OF ALL IRELAND’S Rugby World Cup opponents, Italy are the side supporters will be most familiar with. We play the Azzurri every Spring and whether the clash is in Dublin or Rome, it’s always a tricky encounter.
RWC history to date
The Italians have been involved in the Rugby World Cup since the first tournament in New Zealand back in 1987.
Always considered a ‘minnow’, there have been notable improvements in performance since Italy became part of the Six Nations in 2000. Two pool victories were recorded in 2003 and four years later in France, they had a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Indiscipline during a crucial pool match against Scotland cost them dearly though – the Scots winning 18-16 and sending the men in blue home.
Key players
If you flick down through the Italian squad list, take a note of the players making their living outside the homeland and you will be aware of almost every player capable of posing a threat to Ireland.
Martin Castrogiovanni is a huge hulk of a prop, whose experience is second to none, while long-time front row partner Andrea Lo Cicero plies his trade with Racing Métro – along with backs Mirco Bergamasco and Andrea Masi. Back row Mauro Bergamasco plays with Stade Francais, with Gonzalo Canale at Clermont and fly-half Luciano Orquera with Brive.
Their key man, however, is the world class number eight and captain Sergio Parisse, who has been at the heart of Italian rugby for many, many years now and will be a key figure to their cause.
Coaching Staff
Italy have been led by South African Nick Mallet since 2007 but have opted to hire Frenchman Jacques Brunel to take over the squad’s fortunes after the World Cup. The Azzurri have been a ‘coming’ force in the game for over a decade but still haven’t quite established themselves as a side that can beat the top teams on a regular basis, and that is what Mallet’s successor will be charged with doing. Mallet has overseen the introduce of several new players in his time but whether or not Italy are better off for his input remains an unanswered question.
Last encounter
Ireland had a late drop goal from Ronan O’Gara to thank for victory when these two sides met earlier this year. The number ten kicked three vital points to ensure a 13-11 win in Rome after a Luke McLean try put the Italians within minutes of a first ever Six Nations Championship win over Ireland.
Declan Kidney’s men should have been well out of sight by the time the Italian full-back crossed over though having had several decent try-scoring chances, but Brian O’Driscoll’s second-half score was their only reward for some decent attacking moves. Instead, it was the Italians who pushed for the win until O’Gara made his telling contribution.
So, what can we expect?
Italy will not be pleased to have only five days’ rest between their pool fixtures against the US Eagles and Ireland – giving Declan Kidney’s men an extra 48 hours rest by the time the Otago Stadium clash gets underway. Ahead of what will be a brutally physical encounter, Mallet has had to balance Italy’s need for a bonus point against the Americans with having fresh legs available for Sunday’s match.
The Italians’ style hasn’t changed much over the years, so Ireland will face a strong and experienced pack that will look to take advantage at set pieces and provide excellent support play as well as a back line capable of the odd moment of brilliance. The match is essentially a winner-takes-all fixture, and one man looking to make an impression will be scrum-half Fabio Semenzato – who has been tipped as one of the future stars of rugby in his country.
Expect a tight and bruising encounter. Ireland’s scrum will have to be as effective as it was against Australia while O’Driscoll and company in the back line will need to take their chances with clinical efficiency. If they do, Ireland should win.