[2014 EOYT] Italy vs Samoa

[Big Ewis]

very good news. I wonder just how competitive this Samoan side was, which one turned up...but I'm very glad over this result. Forza Italia. You guys get back to a good level soon, now. Will get a hold of this one later, hope to see a good game. Was it entertaining ?

 

[Hap]

Good Azzurri's display today. Not so much in the first half, great comeback in the second.

Impressive backrow for us, as I expected, Parisse is still worldclass and Favaro is a tackling machine, really an underrated flanker at test level.
In general, italian pack won the battle a little bit more at every scrum time, taking advantage of samoan indiscipline.

Haimona surprisingly very good, strong personality and solid attacking game. Nice assist kick to Parisse for Sergione's closing-game try.

I expected more from Samoa, except for their try, they've done quite nothing to win the game but for sure credit to Italy for bounding and suffocating the pacifics typical game.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Italy won a game ? haha great effort from all todays games, Ireland becoming the most recent NH team to beat the Springboks, wales and england just missing out and Scotland display was unexpected, good displays all round

 

[Andre8]

Good for the win! I've seen a good defense and a big performance by Haimona! We have to see how he plays against a 6N team..I don't think he will have all that time to think on what to do, especially if the scrum is not going forward..
With the Argentina's result, we must try to win the game against the Pumas, then the confidence will come back definitely!
Samoa has very good individualities but they train only a few times together..same old problem..

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Would Samoa wait for Sopoaga until 2019?
Not even nice, from him, saying something like that...

Anyway, if he will ever be interested to come in Italy on holiday, just let us know some time before in order to prepare a 10 Azzurri shirt of the correct size...

whats wrong with Tommaso Allan ? we were kind enough to let you's have him

 

[Big Ewis]

Good for the win! I've seen a good defense and a big performance by Haimona! We have to see how he plays against a 6N team..I don't think he will have all that time to think on what to do, especially if the scrum is not going forward..
With the Argentina's result, we must try to win the game against the Pumas, then the confidence will come back definitely!
Samoa has very good individualities but they train only a few times together..same old problem..

you're right on all accounts. Just finished watching the game. It wasn't too bad from an entertainment perspective, but I feel some flaws in the Italian game are unfortunate given how good a level they could find if not for those. I'm talking of course about the handling errors. So many scrums, unforced errors, knockons...Campagnaro some of his good quality but lost 3 balls.
That new FH Haimona is FANTASTIC news for Italy. I'm very glad and a fan of him already. How long has Italy waited for a true 10 who can lead a good attack, has accuracy in the running game distributing with both hands and foot, AND it seems int'l class goal kicking ? They've had talent at FH, but never one all-encompassing like this one. He's big and strong (although wikipedia and ESPNscrum are putting him at 108kg !!...what's up with that ??) and 28 yo so not too old but good experience and maturity, perfect for a 10.
The pack was strong, except the scrum which, like France, might be a real concern (we'll see in the next tests and 6N...). The TH Chistolini looked powerful at scrumtime, while Aguero was having major trouble. Parisse is one of the best no.8's in Rugby history. And on attack, they showed intent and some good form (if not for those mistakes). Finally the defense was very good, as Samoa were throwing some quickfire passes and putting good speedy movements together, and Italy didn't let them through.

All in all, I'm very happy Italy gets this easily and showed up. They're back to looking like the 'good Italy' more than the bad from November 2013-June 2014. Maybe it's the end of a cycle and a new breath of fresh air, and they needed some time to sort things out, like France looks currently...
But still, stop beating us in Rome, you fkng pizza-eaters. Thank you.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

highlights off the game here

 

[Flyingdolphins]

Looks like Italy found their mojo again.

 

[Hap]

whats wrong with Tommaso Allan ? we were kind enough to let you's have him

The problem with Tommy is that he's not playing with continuity at Perpignan and, as much as I know, still having poor kicking rates. I think Brunel trusts a lot in Tommy (he's the one who strongly wanted him to wear Azzurro) but the first aim in the yesterday's match was the victory and that's why he chose a more experienced guy, even without international caps, as Haimona.

Probably we'll se Tommy next week again Argentina.
Anyway, I think Allan will be for sure one of our options at flyhalf in the next future aaaaand, thank you for growing him for us
(tbh I think you have much more valid options than Allan in your national team)

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

The problem with Tommy is that he's not playing with continuity at Perpignan and, as much as I know, still having poor kicking rates. I think Brunel trusts a lot in Tommy (he's the one who strongly wanted him to wear Azzurro) but the first aim in the yesterday's match was the victory and that's why he chose a more experienced guy, even without international caps, as Haimona.

Probably we'll se Tommy next week again Argentina.
Anyway, I think Allan will be for sure one of our options at flyhalf in the next future aaaaand, thank you for growing him for us
(tbh I think you have much more valid options than Allan in your national team)

well atm i actually prefer Russell over Allan just because Russell is more consistent at kicking then Allan is, i would even Rather have Heathcote and Laidlaw can be at 9 kicking

 

[Hap]

Anyway, as @Andre8 let's wait to see Haimona against more organized teams. It's reaaaally really too soon to declare him a great fh. Yesterday he played under a not so huge pressure and that's why his lack of speed and quick thinking were hidden very well.

 

[Hap]

I see, @ImScotty. Did you really think, at the time, that Allan could ever become a test rugby flyhalf?
I mean, surely he's talented but it's not enough.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i think Allan simply was rushed into test rugby yes he's good but surely he should have just waited like i'm sure he joined the Italy november test squad in his first season of professional rugby ?, i say he is a good 10 but was rushed into the squad

 

[Hap]

that's for sure. There was panic at the time, we didn't know where to get a f*****g 10 and FIR was afraid to loose, in the future, the chance to call Allan that meantime could have joined to Scotland...
I think we've done the right thing, in a future point of view but this is not a good thing, this is not planning, this is just trying to float...
What if Haimona was eligible before Allan? That's a nice question...

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

its not too late for us to get allan if he moves to scotland and if italy doesn't call him up look at Diego Domínguez, he got his first cap while already having 2 caps for Argentina (apparently to wikipedia), but if Haimona was eligible before allan i can see scotland giving him a chance. btw what happend to Kris Burton ? or Craig Gower or even Riccardo Bocchino

 

[sigesige00]

So do you think that Scotland can beat Samoa easily?

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

So do you think that Scotland can beat Samoa easily?

in the form were in atm then yes

 

[Andre8]

its not too late for us to get allan if he moves to scotland and if italy doesn't call him up look at Diego Domínguez, he got his first cap while already having 2 caps for Argentina (apparently to wikipedia), but if Haimona was eligible before allan i can see scotland giving him a chance. btw what happend to Kris Burton ? or Craig Gower or even Riccardo Bocchino

I think the laws of the game changed, that's why Dominguez could have swapped Argentina for Italy! I don't think this can be done anymore!
Ahahah wow, Burton, Gower and Bocchino.. Let's begin!
Burton went to the Newport Gwent Dragons last season, he struggled to play but anyway he was already out of the selection panels with Italy.
Gower went back to play League after the last World Cup (thank you very much mate!) while Bocchino represents the perfect failure for Italian rugby. Fir put a lot of hope on him, he played in the last World Cup and then he almost disappeared. The Pro12 club where he used to play, Aironi, didn't want him anymore, so, after playing in a World Cup, he was struggling to get a contract! He had to go back to Eccellenza, playing(not so well) for Prato! After that, he struggled again to find a club and he chose to go back to his hometown club where he grow up, Capitolina, playing Serie A rugby(the level below Eccellenza).. That's it!

 

[Hap]

Yes mate, now is too late for Scotland to call Allan. Tommy earned 8 caps with major national team and that's binding. Nowdays Dominguez would never become an italian player.
Andre8 wrote everything about Gower and Bocchino. I think Burton retired this year.

What I think is that we have been "lucky". If Haimona was eligible years ago, Allan, due to FIR's stupidity, would have never been rushed into Azzurri National team. And very probably we would lost the chance to having him.

(p.s. very sorry for my english, I make some mess with verbs sometimes/usually/often I'm here to improve it too!)