[2014 EOYT] Italy vs South Africa

[Hap]

You're more than welcome, Hap. And welcome to the forum by the way; I see you have racked up 36 posts already but I've missed you coming on here previously. Frans Steyn has been playing center, fullback and flyhalf and I totally agree it has effected him but I was alluding to him and SARU having had a falling out over money matters the details of which remain unclear. I wouldn't mind having him in at 12 as he is solid in defense, can handle a ball as well as take it up and his boot is just an extra. His maturity/mentality is questionable though; not refering to the money thing here as I don't know the details but in tricky situations he always gets that frown and start moaning and you can just see he isn't focussed.

Haimona certainly seems at first glance like the type of guy that can get Italy forward and make the best out of the work of what has always been a very good pack from what little I've seen of him (admittedly only the game against Argentina). What are your thoughts on him if I might ask? Will keep an eye on him this game.

Yes, I am a newbie here, normally I write on italian forum but here I have the chance to practice english (which I really need to) and see things from a worldwide point of view

About Steyn, I see what you mean. Mental aspects are the most difficult things to change, way more than technical. As you said, Frans is still young but time runs fast and the competition for a single spot in Springbok team will not stop and wait for him.
I remember Serfontein at U20 Junior World Cup here in Italy. What a fantastic player. Looked already a pro-player compared to others.

What about Haimona. Well, I have to admit that he's a surprise for Italy's supporters too, because he joined to one of the 2 top Pro12 italian teams only this year, at full stage, while last year he was a permit player from Calvisano.
In 4 years he passed from amateur rugby to Zebre but until his debut with Azzurri we weren't sure of what he's able to do at this level. And nowdays, even if he had 2 good games with Samoa and Pumas, I am really afraid to judge him.
He is surely a big strong guy with noticeable self confidence which is something I think we really missed in our last fly-halves, seeing someone who seems to know what he's doing and doing it well give more serenity to whole team.

Since at Zebre he usually plays at 12, I was very courious to see something like 10.Allan and 12.Haimona, 'cause I think at 12 he could better hide his first-step's slowness and bring much better the impact on the defence line. Anyway, he's doing well at 10 and 10 is the spot we lack the most so, Brunel's choice is fine

 

[huytam]

I am selling two tickets for the test match Italy vs South Africa Saturday, 22/11, 15pm. west grandstand seats. 75 EUR

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

I am selling two tickets for the test match Italy vs South Africa Saturday, 22/11, 15pm. west grandstand seats. 75 EUR

ha hello there are welcome to the forum!, another italian! i think this is the record off italian on the forum! haha btw welcome, there is an Italian rugby thread were you can go to talk about rugby and you are very welcome to join the conversation here: http://www.therugbyforum.com/threads/33649-Italian-Rugby

 

[oldprussians]

I am selling two tickets for the test match Italy vs South Africa Saturday, 22/11, 15pm. west grandstand seats. 75 EUR

Why are you selling????? the team needs all the help it can get! You can't desert Castro and co when they are eating mud flavoured blood!

 

[Hap]

Here we are, Italy starting lineup:

Italia: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Luke Mclean, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (capitano), 7 Samuela Vunisa, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero
Riserve: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.

Unfortunately we lose Favaro in backrow and we get in another Pacific, Samuela Vunisa. This is not good to me. Yes, he's big and heavy but it's much more a ball carrier n.8 than a tackler/fighter like Favaro.
Mainly he's another Vosawai.
I would have picked Minto, but I am quite sure that Vunisa is in just to be sure he gains his first cap with Azzurri.

 

[oldprussians]

Here we are, Italy starting lineup:

Italia: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Luke Mclean, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (capitano), 7 Samuela Vunisa, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero
Riserve: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.

Unfortunately we lose Favaro in backrow and we get in another Pacific, Samuela Vunisa. This is not good to me. Yes, he's big and heavy but it's much more a ball carrier n.8 than a tackler/fighter like Favaro.
Mainly he's another Vosawai.
I would have picked Minto, but I am quite sure that Vunisa is in just to be sure he gains his first cap with Azzurri.

McLean wasted on the wing and he always comes in field as 1st receiver in the second phase What's the point?????

Also I thing the Fijian paid help will actually play 6 and Zanni will go 7

 

[Hap]

McLean would be perfect at fullback but it's clear that Brunel tries to put the biggest number of good backs we have in the pitch, at the same time. And that requires adaptation.
That said, I still believe it would be better 14.Masi and 15.McLean but I think Brunel's thinking is he feels much more secure in terms on defence with Masi at fullback. It's the only reason, and sometimes questionable.

About Vunisa. As I wrote, I can only see this choice as a chance to lock him at Azzurri's jersey for the future. As if there's someone interested in stealing him from us :roflrol:

 

[julez]

Does anyone know who is kicking for South africa?

 

[Big Ewis]

Does anyone know who is kicking for South africa?

No. Absolutely nobody. They're keeping it a secret, you know, as a tactic.

 

[julez]

Kicking duties

Does anyone know who has the kicking duties for South Africa against Italy please?

 

[SomeOke]

Smart money says lambie.

 

[Big Ewis]

d'you see how Italy turned SA over on that maul ??!!...goddamn, forza Italia.

 

[Gavin]

Good start for Italy. Parisse once again world class.

 

[Hap]

Wow, nice start from our scrum too!

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3 - 0.

Masi, slowest kicker in the world.

 

[Big Ewis]

I'm sorry but SA are going to win this. Score to inflate in 2nd half, albeit not a whole lot necessarily. SA too big too strong, every impact they're bending the defense and penetrating deep into Italian territory. Too fundamentally sound and their attack is super simple but hectic and powerful, too easy. Italy showing some HUUUGE improvements in the attack but put so much effort for a few meters only...won't cut it... :/

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Wow, Italians will be delighted trailing by just 2 at HT. Very, very nice first half. I'm very happy for Italy, but I'm afraid they're going to, you know.......FUCCKING BEAT US IN ROME AGAIN IN SOME MONTHS !!!!!

 

[Hap]

Totally agree with you @Big Ewis.

Two or three nice attacks from Italy but the rest of the time we was there to defend without breathing. Springboks are like tireless hammers and I think they're not playing full gas.
Really liked Reinach.
Our side, nice job from Morisi and Parisse.

 

[Big Ewis]

great defense on the maul again from Italy, but Castro blows it...as usualy, over-exuberant.......a shame.

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ALLEZ L'ITALIE, ALLLEZZ !!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hap]

Ref missing what a chaos!

 

[Big Ewis]

that's not a 22-6 victory.......but anyways, South Africa have a bit to worry about and Italy lots, lots to hope for, and with real hope this time.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i would say, good effort from italy as they started well, thought the springboks got lucky there but still a good effort from italy