state of nation
Inviato: 20 mar 2008, 17:35
State of the Nation - Italy
Thursday 20th March 2008
The era of Nick Mallett has begun and Italy have moved a little step forward again. Progress at a snail's pace is better than no progress at all, and Italy have to keep looking at the bright side.
It's been a rough ride for the Azzurri since they joined the Six Nations. Originally cannon fodder for the other five, the team has come on in leaps and bounds initially, and now is much more involved in a process of fine-tuning than of striving to find their place.
The pack is superb. Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse stand out on most occasions, but the contributions of, say, Josh Sole, Andrea Lo Cicero, and Santiago Dellape are priceless to the Italian cause. In no match could the Italians be forced to hold hands up and confess to being bullied out of the game up front.
Out wide there is talent too. Kaine Robertson gets better and better, Mirco Bergamasco and Gonzalo Canale are running fine lines, and Andrea Marcato might have held out the more established David Bortolussi on form alone had the latter recovered from injury. At scrum-half, Simon Picone is bedding in nicely, and he still has plenty of miles to go on his clock.
Anyone notice the glaring omission? Italy desperately need a fly-half. Andrea Masi is a superb player, but not at fly-half. It requires an instinctive decision-maker at this level, someone who has played in the position for a long time. Masi is a centre by trade, and to be honest, is one good enough to give either of the other two a run for their money in the starting XV. But he is no international fly-half, and especially not when those outside him do not play the 'second five-eighth' role New Zealanders are so fond of. Masi not only found himself under pressure, he had nobody to take it off him - it looked a very lonely tournament for the Biarritz man.
But progress was made. Italy could have beaten England, fought well against Ireland and France, and of course, did find the resolve within to come from behind and beat Scotland. Only Wales' running game proved to be utterly insurmountable. Tactically they were sound, and they are clearly fitter in both body and mind. But until that fly-half is found, it just might not be enough.
Star man: Plenty of Italians were bold and resilient, but the talents of Sergio Parisse stand out by a country mile. Considering his consistent brilliance in adversity, it seemed a touch harsh for Shane Williams to nick the Player of the Tournament award. Such gongs so often go to players merely for being on the winning teams, but Parisse's indomitable strength, fitness, skill, discipline and commitment in what was often a heart-breaking cause could easily have been rewarded with more than just a runner-up spot there.
Thursday 20th March 2008
The era of Nick Mallett has begun and Italy have moved a little step forward again. Progress at a snail's pace is better than no progress at all, and Italy have to keep looking at the bright side.
It's been a rough ride for the Azzurri since they joined the Six Nations. Originally cannon fodder for the other five, the team has come on in leaps and bounds initially, and now is much more involved in a process of fine-tuning than of striving to find their place.
The pack is superb. Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse stand out on most occasions, but the contributions of, say, Josh Sole, Andrea Lo Cicero, and Santiago Dellape are priceless to the Italian cause. In no match could the Italians be forced to hold hands up and confess to being bullied out of the game up front.
Out wide there is talent too. Kaine Robertson gets better and better, Mirco Bergamasco and Gonzalo Canale are running fine lines, and Andrea Marcato might have held out the more established David Bortolussi on form alone had the latter recovered from injury. At scrum-half, Simon Picone is bedding in nicely, and he still has plenty of miles to go on his clock.
Anyone notice the glaring omission? Italy desperately need a fly-half. Andrea Masi is a superb player, but not at fly-half. It requires an instinctive decision-maker at this level, someone who has played in the position for a long time. Masi is a centre by trade, and to be honest, is one good enough to give either of the other two a run for their money in the starting XV. But he is no international fly-half, and especially not when those outside him do not play the 'second five-eighth' role New Zealanders are so fond of. Masi not only found himself under pressure, he had nobody to take it off him - it looked a very lonely tournament for the Biarritz man.
But progress was made. Italy could have beaten England, fought well against Ireland and France, and of course, did find the resolve within to come from behind and beat Scotland. Only Wales' running game proved to be utterly insurmountable. Tactically they were sound, and they are clearly fitter in both body and mind. But until that fly-half is found, it just might not be enough.
Star man: Plenty of Italians were bold and resilient, but the talents of Sergio Parisse stand out by a country mile. Considering his consistent brilliance in adversity, it seemed a touch harsh for Shane Williams to nick the Player of the Tournament award. Such gongs so often go to players merely for being on the winning teams, but Parisse's indomitable strength, fitness, skill, discipline and commitment in what was often a heart-breaking cause could easily have been rewarded with more than just a runner-up spot there.
