[2014 Mid-Year Tests] Italy

[iINDOMINUSxx]

So i made scotland so i may aswell start posting other teams mid-year tests so i went with the team scotland can actually beat in the six nations
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About italy well there isn't much to be said really like they're just playing awful haven't won a single game in this years six nations and i thought they had an easy fixture for this year being honest. But lets look on the bright side off italy Leonardo Sarto is looking to be the italian version off George North he can break tackles, he can run and he can tackle (not sure im sure he can). and also Michele Campagnaro i think can be quality after the wales game but after that he wasn't switched on, he didn't get involved as much which is ashame he is a good player. and italy has a scotsman playing for them now thats sums it up. but Tommaso Allan is definitely better than Weir no-doubt about that but isn't a good goal kicker like i know he's in his early stages but there are opportunities where you just cant miss but Allan can.

so italy's games for the season looks promising for them to improve but there are 2 which i think they'le lose to:

Fiji vs Italy
7th June 2014, time to be comfirmed
venue still to be comfirmed

Samoa vs Italy
14th June 2014, time to be comfirmed
Apia Park, Apia, Samoa

Japan vs Italy
21st June 2014, time to be comfirmed
Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
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could lose to Fiji and due to form they might lose all the game but if they win one then i'd say its against japan

 

[Big Ewis]

they really should win all those, especially given the fact that they've got nothing to prepare imminently to this tour so they can send their full team there..
This tour will be a big test for their defense mostly, that's it. Depending on who shows up in Samoa, their forwards might be in for a rough day too. But it's all about containing the mad 3/4 backs of the Pacific Islands (+ Japan). They should have field days in the scrum the whole tour and will look to slow down the game.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

they really should win all those, especially given the fact that they've got nothing to prepare imminently to this tour so they can send their full team there..
This tour will be a big test for their defense mostly, that's it. Depending on who shows up in Samoa, their forwards might be in for a rough day too. But it's all about containing the mad 3/4 backs of the Pacific Islands (+ Japan). They should have field days in the scrum the whole tour and will look to slow down the game.

oh yeah they will but what im saying is that i can see them losing all three like last year im sure italy nearly lost to fiji and they did lose to Samoa have no idea about japan but they look like they'll be something special im expecting a good rankings battle there

 

[Big Ewis]

Samoa haven't looked anything like the November 2012-summer 2013 Samoa last November. They had missing players, but it was a bit worrying for them. I hope for them they get back on track.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

Samoa haven't looked anything like the November 2012-summer 2013 Samoa last November. They had missing players, but it was a bit worrying for them. I hope for them they get back on track.

but it is interesting that italy only won once off the last 4 meeting against samoa so that game will be interesting and from the six nations i dont see italy winning. Fiji Will be an interesting match aswell as italy won 5 of they're last 9 meeting so and japan has never beaten italy but i think there's going to be a first they were impressive in the 7's except from that massive try fail but japan had a good victory

 

[Big Ewis]

but it is interesting that italy only won once off the last 4 meeting against samoa so that game will be interesting and from the six nations i dont see italy winning. Fiji Will be an interesting match aswell as italy won 5 of they're last 9 meeting so and japan has never beaten italy but i think there's going to be a first they were impressive in the 7's except from that massive try fail but japan had a good victory

yes, that was a message from God to Chris Ashton personally. He may continue to do that unholy dive thing, but he's been warned.

And honestly, can't say much just now about the Samoa Italy game, Samoa have a tendency to throw away some tests and field the crappiest available team they can for some reason...if they show up like the last time these two met, Italy doesn't stand a chance, not nowadays.
But Fiji and Japan is within range...although again, hosting Fiji last November didn't turn out too brilliantly for Italy...pretty fkn embarrassing result !

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

yes, that was a message from God to Chris Ashton personally. He may continue to do that unholy dive thing, but he's been warned.

And honestly, can't say much just now about the Samoa Italy game, Samoa have a tendency to throw away some tests and field the crappiest available team they can for some reason...if they show up like the last time these two met, Italy doesn't stand a chance, not nowadays.
But Fiji and Japan is within range...although again, hosting Fiji last November didn't turn out too brilliantly for Italy...pretty fkn embarrassing result !

agreed and with the team Fiji have they can be really good and huge potential there in the squad with the likes off Matawalu, Nadolo, Nalaga and others. they shouldn't really have trouble against italy as i now count them as a Tier 2 nations because i dont see what makes them a Tier 1 nation apart from Sergio Parrise

 

[Big Ewis]

the scrum, Parisse, the pack overall...but I agree they're on the very, very limit of Tier 1 atm, and there's a lot of Tier 2 about em.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

the scrum, Parisse, the pack overall...but I agree they're on the very, very limit of Tier 1 atm, and there's a lot of Tier 2 about em.

if italy do want to start improving i think they should quit the pro 12 and put Treviso and Zebre into the Campionato Nazionale Eccellenza and they would have a huge pick from any players but i would say during the november tests but since they still picked Mirco Bergamasco for the squad who play's in that league i think they're screwed

 

[Big Ewis]

eh....I think they need more than that unfortunately Scottie...

They've got a quality pack, in parts, but lack the sort of flanker that succeeds in today's game. The second row is alright, but doesn't stick out in any way. They haven't had a good no. 9 to show, the 10 situation betw. a young Tomaso Alan and an inconsistent as FK little Orquera isn't gorgeous, and besides the odd Campagnero on attack in the backs they don't really have anyone threatening who does things that get you interested.
Add to that the way they've been actually playing as a team, the monster leaks on defense, constantly, the lack of creativity on attack...it's a near catastrophe.

But in truth, their backline is EXTREMELY young and for once, to be fair, it might amount to something worthy overtime. Probably not for the next world cup, they'll take a couple of thick, rough poundings right in the face from France and Ireland; but after that. But they'll have to worry about aging Parisse, Gheraldini, Castro and co then...

 

[TheSaffycen]

But in truth, their backline is EXTREMELY young and for once, to be fair, it might amount to something worthy overtime. Probably not for the next world cup, they'll take a couple of thick, rough poundings right in the face from France and Ireland; but after that. But they'll have to worry about aging Parisse, Gheraldini, Castro and co then...

In fairness they had a lot of injuries to their backline before the championship so it was always going to be tricky to score tries. Everyone fit and they don't look so bad obviously not great but the front foot the pack can get them is unrivalled
9. Gori/Botes both **** 10.Allan 11.Benvenuti 12.Sgarbi 13.Campagnaro 14.Sarto 15.McLean and players like Bergamasco and Masi in the reserves

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

what would your XV be ? this is what i would pick

1.) Alberto De Marchi
2.) Leonardo Ghiraldini
3.) Martin Castrogiovanni
4.) Marco Bortolami
5.) Francesco Minto
6.) Joshua Furno
7.) Paul Derbyshire
8.) Sergio Parisse (c)
9.) ***o Tebaldi
10.) Luciano Orquera
11.) Leonardo Sarto
12.) Andrea Masi
13.) Michele Campagnaro
14.) Angelo Esposito
15.) Luke McLean

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

the italy 30-man squad for the tests have been named

Forwards: Matias Agüero (Zebre), Dario Chistolini (Zebre), Lorenzo Cittadini (Benetton Treviso), Alberto de Marchi (Treviso), Andrea de Marchi (Zebre), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Davide Giazzon (Zebre), Andrea Manici (Zebre), George Biagi (Zebre), Marco Bortolami (Zebre), Marco Fuser (Treviso), Quintin Geldenhuys (Zebre), Robert Barbieri (Treviso), Mauro Bergamasco (Zebre), Paul Derbyshire (Treviso), Josh Furno (Biarritz), Manoa Vosawai (Treviso).

Backs: Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre), ***o Tebaldi (Ospreys), Tommaso Allan (Peripgnan), Luciano Orquera (Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Treviso), Angelo Esposito (Treviso), Gonzalo Garcia (Zebre), Tommaso Iannone (Zebre), Andrea Masi (London Wasps), Luke McLean (Treviso), Leonardo Sarto (Zebre), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre)

 

[Big Ewis]

ain't that fkn good news....forza Italia but goddamn, they're makin it tough to support them !!

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

do feel sorry for italy they're best player's are gone not going to be easy at all

 

[Big Ewis]

oh fukkkkkk that's right !! Parisse still out injured for the summer as well ??...godaaammn...but I mean, individually there are some nice pieces there though.
Wasn't even aware Alberto de Marchi had a pro Rugby playing brother...

It's weird for Italy. Just as they look like they've got both feet right in Tier 1 status and beat a few teams or come really close with very pro 80min efforts, they plunge right into the abyss, or close to that at least, imminently. Their progression is such a roller coaster, it must be SPENDING to be an Italy fan. At the moment, they can't hope for a whole lot out of the next EOYT in November, or 2015 6N and are basically sure to stay in the pools in London. Ireland aren't the greatest RWC performers, but they'll beat Italy no doubt, and France may be a mess but a mess enough to beat Italy at the RWC, won't let that happen...
Again, these summer tests really are going to be an adequate evaluation of where they're at, I'm sorry to say.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

they do have serious problems italian rugby which needs to be solved as treviso and zebre are 11th and 12th in the pro 12, went out this year six nations without a win. they're most experienced players are out. and they are facing quality teams. but JB isn't a bad coach he's doing the best he can its just the players performance it needs to change.

and everyone thought scottish rugby are in danger ? i dont know what italy are doing to improve they're performances but atleast scotland has made changes which is heading the right way including (possibly) renaming murrayfield as it will soon be sponsored by bt which equals more money to be put into making the 3rd scottish professional team which we've been wanting for a while. appointed vern cotter. glasgow reached the pro 12 finals. edinburgh lasted 7th but alex solomons will put edinburgh as a danger team in the future.

but as for italy. i would say drop the italian teams from the pro 12 as they dont seem to have a chance in it and add them into the italian premiership (got no idea what its called) as im sure there are many quality players playing in the league, its just they aren't getting enough attention from the scouts.

 

[Jaguares]

and everyone thought scottish rugby are in danger ? i dont know what italy are doing to improve they're performances but atleast scotland has made changes which is heading the right way including (possibly) renaming murrayfield as it will soon be sponsored by bt which equals more money to be put into making the 3rd scottish professional team which we've been wanting for a while. appointed vern cotter. glasgow reached the pro 12 finals. edinburgh lasted 7th but alex solomons will put edinburgh as a danger team in the future.

In which city will be the third professional Scottish team? Do you have players like to form a third competitive team?

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I feel Italy are a quality 10 away from being a side that can challenge the likes of England, Wales, Argentina, etc (Basically any side that isn't NZ/SA, possibly the Wallabies). If they can get someone who puts the likes of Campagnario and Sarto (Who looks to be a really good winger in his own right) into space whilst being a high-percentage goal kicker (Which is what they really, really need, especially considering the gameplan they have to employ thanks to their excellent pack) then they should be looking at a very competitive team. Gori is a functional nine at this level, but they also need an improvement there. If we can get this dream half back pairing going, I'd love to see them deploy a backline of-

11. Sarto
12. Masi
13. Campagnero
14. Vendetti
15. McLean

With Benvenutti (A player I do think highly of) to come off the bench, covering both wings, 13 and fullback.

I feel 12 is Masi's best position, and that McLean is an underrated 15. Vendetti and Sarto are both good finishers, too, which is something Italy are desperate for- even at the expense of someone with the obvious talent of Benvenutti.

 

[TheSaffycen]

I believe that Sgarbi is a class 12. Masi works well as a utility bench player, Vendetti/Benvenutti/Sarto are damn good wingers and I think that Italy's backline will soon be quite dangerous. There is no 10 at the moment though who will be able too pull the strings, Allan and Orquera aren't good enough at this level; at least they aren't playing Bergamasco at 10.