Rhapsody In Blue – Italy Continue Their Rise as they trump Scotland to start their Six Nations
Italy showed that their improvement under Gonzalo Quesada is not something they are going to give up lightly after they beat Scotland in a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico to open their Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign with an18-5 win.
Italy 2
Scotland 2
Lynagh (7'), Menoncello (13')
Tries
Dempsey (23'), Horne (66')
Garbisi (14')
Conversions
Russell (24')
Garbisi (34', 48')
Penalties
Russell (46')
Italy showed that their improvement under Gonzalo Quesada is not something they are going to give up lightly after they beat Scotland in a rain-soaked Stadio Olimpico to open their Guinness Men’s Six Nations campaign with an18-5 win.
Beforehand Scottish hopes were high that victory in Rome would act as a springboard to further Championship success, but instead it is Italy who can look forward with confidence after they showed that wins over Australia and Chile in the autumn were no flash in the pan.
Quesada will be pleased that he won the tactical battle over Gregor Townsend on a day that tested even the hardiest of rugby folk.
Here’s ATR’s view on a memorable day in the Eternal City.
Heart And Soul:
Want to know what drove Italy as the clock counted down? Listen to this from captain Michele Lamaro.
“At the end when we found ourselves defending in our half, we had to fight with our hearts,” he said. “In those last minutes we had to show the how much the shirt means, how much the teams means, and how much our teammates alongside us mean. In those moments, we showed our identity and our desire to show who we are.”
It was there at the end when Max Williamson made his lone charge and seemingly the entire Italian nation swarmed on him. It was there throughout the 80 minutes.
But then, shouldn’t that be the minimum for every team, and hasn’t that always been the case with Italy? Remember the forlorn efforts of Sergio Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni, Marco Bortolami, Mauro Bergamasco, and many before and since, in losing causes.
What made the difference in Rome was Italy’s combination of heart and head. Yes, they were a pack of wolves, but when decisions needed to be made, they did so with great clarity. When the rain came and the ball needed launching down the pitch, they all joined in, even second row Niccolo Cannone.
Even at the end, there was no room for romanticism. Quesada brought Manuel Zuliani back on for captain Michele Lamaro, because he thought it was best for the team. The real revolution isn’t Italy winning more; it is the way they are going about it.
Booming Cannones
Good lord, what did Mama and Papa Cannone feed their boys? Coming from Tuscany one can only suspect that they were reared on a diet of Florentine steaks.
Together they are a two-man wrecking crew. Niccolo (wayward kick aside) and number eight Lorenzo were everywhere, throwing themselves into collisions and tackling like they may never taste one of those steaks again.
Lorenzo was by far and away Italy’s main carrier with 14, as the side kept play tight as the rain lashed down. He also weighed in with 21 tackles, but it was big brother Niccolo who made more than anyone else, with 27.
His most important came at the death as Williamson’s lone charge fell into their well-prepared trap. It was Niccolo who swept him up, held him high, and didn’t let go. For all his physicality, to have that cool a head and be aware of the situation at such a crucial moment, is the real feather in his cap.
Eight Man Roar
Talking of Castrogiovanni, Parisse, Bortolami, Leonardo Ghiraldini and the rest, remember when the Italy pack was filled with devils? Grizzled (Parisse aside) didn’t do them justice.
Well, if Saturday is any evidence, those days look like they are returning. In the scrum, they won 100 percent of their put-ins and forced Scotland’s eight back throughout the match. Highly respected front rowers, Pierre Schoeman and Zander Fagerson were rocked back by Simone Ferrari and Danilo Fischetti, while hooker Giacomo Nicotera showed boundless energy in the loose and tight.
At the lineout the Cannone brothers, and Andrea Zambonin were pests, and constantly disrupted Scotland’s throw. Scotland hooker Ewan Ashman will not want a reminder of a performance that featured five lost lineouts in a row at one point.
Like many of their exalted forebears, Fischetti, Nicotera, and Zambonin have benefitted hugely from moving to Gallagher PREM Rugby and the Top 14 respectively, but it was Ferrari who was the real star, and the rock on which the pack built their success. His was a well deserved Player of the Match award.
The Garbisi We Know
It hasn’t been the easiest of seasons for Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi. He’s lost his place at Toulon to Tomas Albornoz and appears set to head back to Montpellier at the end of the season, with suggestions that he didn’t want to leave in the first place.
In November, he wobbled against South Africa with three misses from the tee and some wayward kicks from hand. On Saturday, though, he nailed the two key penalties that ultimately gave Italy victory.
He had his moments, such as two hopeful drop kicks that missed the mark, but at least he didn’t shy away from trying to stretch his team’s lead in trying circumstances. More importantly, he was the flyhalf who had no issue putting boot to ball to keep Scotland away from the Italy tryline.
Saturday’s match was his 50th cap, some achievement for a 25-year-old. In former Argentina flyhalf Quesada, he has a fine mentor. We know what he can do, and Italy will only benefit from his return to form.
Player Ratings
15 Leonardo Marin 7, 14 Louis Lynagh 8, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex 8, 12 Tommaso Menoncello 9, 11 Monty Ioane 7, 10 Paolo Garbisi 8, 9 Alessandro Fusco 8, 8 Lorenzo Cannone 9, 7 Manuel Zuliani 8, 6 Michele Lamaro (c) 8, 5 Andrea Zambonin 8, 4 Niccolo Cannone 8, 3 Michele Ferrari 9, 2 Giacamo Nicotera 8, 1 Danilo Fischetti 8
Replacements: Tommaso di Bartolomeo 7, Mirco Spagnolo 8, Muhamed Hasa 7, Federico Ruzza 8, Riccardo Favretto 7, Lorenzo Pani 6