Per chi non legge inglese, si dice che l'Italia ha fatto progressi da gigante nell'ultimo anno e che può creare problemi a qualunque squadra al mondo.. e se riuscirà a reggere per 80 minuti potrebbe essere la sorpresa del gruppo C ai mondiali..
Ma un dato la dice lunga sulla lucidità del compilatore...tra le Star dei test di novembre a parte Bortolami viene annoverato nientemeno che El Ramiro Pez
COSA PENSATE DELL'ANALISI DI PLANET RUGBY ??
If any team deserves an accolade for most improved side in recent performances, Italy can't be too far off from making the honourable shortlist. The Azzurri outfit have moved mountains as far as progress is concerned and will look back at 2006 with much satisfaction to say the least.
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has been instrumental in taking his troops quite literally from zero to hero in the past twelve months and with the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, it will be interesting to see how the brave Italians will perform.
Should they put on their gloves and last the full 80 minutes, there could be one shock exit just waiting to happen in the Pool C group in France next year. The biggest challenge facing the Italians would be New Zealand and Scotland, and while it's fair to say the All Blacks have already booked themselves a quarter-final spot in 2007- the Scots will still have a lot of work to do when they face the Azzurri.
And why not?
Italy stepped up to the plate in the Six Nations earlier this year and performed strongly against every team, leading against England, France, Scotland and Ireland in the first half of their respective Tests. They did, finally, get a creditable 18-18 draw away to Wales, their first ever away point in the tournament, and were unlucky not to draw with Scotland in Rome in the final game, losing 10-13 courtesy of a late Scottish penalty.
Berbizier's troops continued their surprising form in the recent November Tests against Australia, Argentina and Canada - running the Wallabies and the Pumas frightfully close, while dispatching the Canucks with ease.
However it was the battle against two-time rugby world champions Australia at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome that really put Azzurri in the spotlight. The home fans stunned the men in green and gold by showing them, and the rest of the rugby world, that they were literally no pushovers. Australia had no answer in the scrums that were totally dominated by the front row of Martin Castrogiovanni, Carlo Festuccia and Andrea Lo Cicero. Had it not been for Stirling Mortlock's 70th-minute match winning try, the vino would have been pouring like water in celebration all across Italy.
Yet, the Italy rugby fans still had every reason to celebrate after their valiant team showed once again that they can certainly mix it up with any given side in the world.
The men in blue were again up for the challenge when Argentina came to town. The Pumas had just come off a memorable victory over England the week before, and both teams were oozing in confidence. However, the Azzurri stuck to their predictable script of putting in a world-class first half performance, only to throw it all away after the break.
This is a lesson the Italian troops can hopefully benefit from after their three-match November Test series came to an end with a victory over Canada. A half-time lead doesn't necessarily guarantee you a win, it can take you closer to getting there, but only a full 80 minutes performance will allow the sweet taste of victory.
Star of the series: His name has already been mentioned in this website's World XV as our first choice second rower. He is the cornerstone of a young Italian team full of potential for the future. Marco Bortolami is Italy's youngest ever captain and at 25 years of age and 57 caps already behind him, the towering lock will be a thorn in many opposition's teams for many years to come. A mention must also go to fly-half Ramiro Pez whose flawless kicking display against the Aussies nealry sealed a memorable victory for the men in blue.