Italy v Wales, 23/02/13

[TRF_Olyy]

Stadio Olimpico, Italy
14:30, 23/02/13​

​

 

[TRF_Cymro]

WALES: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones, Andrew Coombs, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (captain), Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Craig Mitchell, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.

 

[dullonien]

Can't be too upset with that bench! If the option was available, I'd prefer Eli Walker ahead of Scott Williams (who is well and truly living off his performances against the minnows at the WC, and that winning try v England last year, which in reality only made up for him butchering a try earlier in the game). Alas, Eli appears to still be injured, such unlucky timing for the bloke, as I;m sure we'd have seen him at some stage this tournament otherwise.

 

[Draggs]

Never understood Scott Williams. Plays like he is 6'4" but can't. Hook can cover centre, I'd rather Byrne on the bench. Walker is limited to wing, so not a great bench option.

 

[Big Ewis]

Yeh I've got Wales on this one, unfortunately...
not that I dislike the Welsh, but I support Italy.

It seems (it SEEMS...) Italy's doing a 2011 all over again. Like YEAHHHHHH !!! WE BEAT THE FRENCH !!! YEAHHHHHHHH !!! and then go on a 12game losing streak....
Only of course this time, there truly is a lot of improvement. They ARE at home again...but Orquera ain't turning into a Maestro again, the forwards won't look like England's again, and they won't get all that flair on the attack...but they may get quite close.

Wales has looked flat as shyt tbh, but they've got defense and can compete in the scrum it seems.
But ultimately the talent in both forwards and backs will give Wales the edge over a very raw Italian team who's yet to really show more individual talent as opposed to only their good play as a unit.

 

[martinspoonboy1]

Is anyone planning on updating the table ?

 

[Dougydeluxe]

Wales lose this and the 6 nations is now a battle for wooden spoon.

I am still giving Italy the edge here. They are playing better and the talent in the team has improved. Now being back at home gives them that much more added boost.

 

[j'nuh]

They are playing better and the talent in the team has improved. Now being back at home gives them that much more added boost.

Not sure being drubbed by Scotland counts as playing better. And now Italy without their talisman. Wales to win very comfortably imo.

 

[smb64]

I would say Wales to win comfortable to - but was looking back on results and it looks like its been 4 years since Italy were truly given a good beating at home, their form in Rome has been good in pretty much every game since 2009 6 nations.

Wales to Win, but I can't see Italy rolling over easily at the Olimpico

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Parisse officially out of the game.

 

[psychic duck]

Yeh I've got Wales on this one, unfortunately...
not that I dislike the Welsh, but I support Italy.

It seems (it SEEMS...) Italy's doing a 2011 all over again. Like YEAHHHHHH !!! WE BEAT THE FRENCH !!! YEAHHHHHHHH !!! and then go on a 12game losing streak....
Only of course this time, there truly is a lot of improvement. They ARE at home again...but Orquera ain't turning into a Maestro again, the forwards won't look like England's again, and they won't get all that flair on the attack...but they may get quite close.

Wales has looked flat as shyt tbh, but they've got defense and can compete in the scrum it seems.
But ultimately the talent in both forwards and backs will give Wales the edge over a very raw Italian team who's yet to really show more individual talent as opposed to only their good play as a unit.

You are so unbelievably fickle ...

Before the tournament you were all saying how France would easily beat Italy.

Then after that match you thought that Italy just had to turn up to beat Scotland.

Now you think it seems they are set for a long losing streak.

You just adjust all your predictions solely on the most recent match.

 

[McTallshort]

Wales by 20 points

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Parisse being out is a big blow, but when he missed the Six Nations before (couple of years back) Zanni filled in at 8 very very well.
Only question is finding someone top draw to come in at openside for Zanni.

 

[Big Ewis]

You are so unbelievably fickle ...

blahblahblkahblakjblahblah

You just adjust all your predictions solely on the most recent match.

yes.

Parisse officially out of the game.

shhhhitttt......!! Can't believe I forgot about that !!....dang. That's it for Italy huh...nah kidding, but seriously though, I don't think they'll find the form they had against us this tournament...at all. I do believe they'll play a lot better than against Scotland this time, coz my goooooooooooodness Italy...you CANNOT play on the road guys !!

 

[Jbobo]

i can see this going one of three ways:

1. Italy play like they did against France and beat Wales by up to 6 points.

2. Italy play like they did against France and very narrowly lose against Wales within 10 points.

3. Italy play like they did against Scotland and Wales win by 30+ points.

 

[Dougydeluxe]

Parisse out is not good at all.

Might give the edge to Wales, but it will be with in 3 points.

 

[psychic duck]

Parisse being out is a big blow, but when he missed the Six Nations before (couple of years back) Zanni filled in at 8 very very well.
Only question is finding someone top draw to come in at openside for Zanni.

They have Robert Barbieri. He is a big ball carrier and scored 6 tries in 8 starts in the RaboPro12. He would be a very good replacement for Parisse, but unfortunately is injured and I'm not sure if he'll be back in time.

I don't think Parisse is the be all and end all of the Italy team. It's not like Wales losing Adam Jones and Mitchell or Ireland losing Mike Ross when there is a fair distance until the next best. Italy have a fair amount of strength in the depth in the back row.

3. Italy play like they did against Scotland and Wales win by 30+ points.

I can't see that happening.

You need to remember, that out of any side in the 6 Nations. Italy are the side who have the biggest difference between home and away performance. And as has been previously mentioned, it's been a while now since Italy were humped at home in the 6 Nations.

In 2012 for example, Italy lost easily to France, were thrashed by Ireland in the away matches. But at home they beat Scotland, and nearly England.

Only New Zealand have managed to beat Italy by 30 point margins in Italy recently. And Wales are not New Zealand. They didn't even play that well in France, but were just the lesser of two teams playing poorly.

Never understood Scott Williams. Plays like he is 6'4" but can't. Hook can cover centre, I'd rather Byrne on the bench. Walker is limited to wing, so not a great bench option.

I agree. When he first came onto the scene he made a few breaks. Especially when given a chance against lesser opposition Namibia and Fiji at the Rugby World Cup.

But ever since that try against England. I hardly remember him making a break at all, and he has increasingly tried to play like he's 6'4" as you say. Add to that, like Davies, he isn't at all a passer.

No to Byrne on the bench though. I would rather Fussell.

 

[Draggs]

Williams-Davies must be one of the most non-functioning midfields.
Fussell off the bench would be... interesting. He isn't the player that would make me feel comfortable if we needed to secure a win. Byrne is steady.

Barbieri is a good flanker. I like Favaro as well, very good player. Played against us last year and caused some trouble.

 

[Jbobo]

I can't see that happening.

You need to remember, that out of any side in the 6 Nations. Italy are the side who have the biggest difference between home and away performance. And as has been previously mentioned, it's been a while now since Italy were humped at home in the 6 Nations.

In 2012 for example, Italy lost easily to France, were thrashed by Ireland in the away matches. But at home they beat Scotland, and nearly England.

Only New Zealand have managed to beat Italy by 30 point margins in Italy recently. And Wales are not New Zealand. They didn't even play that well in France, but were just the lesser of two teams playing poorly.

I don't particularly see that happening either, i personally see it being the second option I put forward - Italy to lose by up to 10 points and put up a very tough fight. However regardless of home advantage, if they play like they did against Scotland, i do believe Wales will win by a 30 point margin or close enough to it. That is not to say that it is likely, as i agree that the Azzurri are notoriously strong in Rome, but you have to also consider how hungry Wales will be to put a convincing win on the table. I just see this game being either very close and going either way, or a very comfortable win for Wales. More than likely, it will be quite a tight affair.

Also looking forward to seeing Mauro Bergamasco back in the Italian team and wondering how they get on without their main man Sergio

 

[psychic duck]

Williams-Davies must be one of the most non-functioning midfields.
Fussell off the bench would be... interesting. He isn't the player that would make me feel comfortable if we needed to secure a win. Byrne is steady.

Barbieri is a good flanker. I like Favaro as well, very good player. Played against us last year and caused some trouble.

Scarlets fans managed to convince the media that they have one of the best backlines in European rugby ...

Regarding Fussell. I agree, he wouldn't make me feel comfortable. But Byrne I feel is just getting mentions from people as his dreadful form in the period before he got dropped in 2011 (in his last season at the Ospreys he literally just stood at the back and kicked all season) is now just long enough ago for people to have forgotten, and the fact he is playing for a good team in France, not that he is exactly the main player in that team. He's still decent, but would prefer a younger player with more impact from the bench, would only bother selecting Byrne as a starter.