«I imagine 2 games in one: the first will last 50 minutes, it will be physically very tough; in the second half hour, everything will be decided.” Gonzalo Quesada and Saturday’s test match in Udine with Argentina (6.40pm, live on Sky Sport and free-to-air on TV8): the national coach has chosen the team for the debut in the autumn series. Opposite are the fearsome Pumas – in 6th place in the world ranking; the Azzurri are in 8th -, having recently defeated Australia, the All Blacks and world champions South Africa. «During preparation we focused more on our project than on our opponents: you will see some innovations, based on the speed and width of the game».
Italy’s rugby wants to confirm itself, Quesada: “News in the game”
by Massimo Calandri
Cannone and Garbisi: two pairs of brothers on the pitch
A team for once without rookies, very balanced, with two pairs of brothers (the Florentine Cannone, the Venetian Garbisi): the third center is Lorenzo Cannone, flanked by Lamaro and Negri; Spagnolo starts as left prop; directing trust in Page-Relo, formidable during the summer tour, together with Paolo Garbisi; the rest of the three-quarter line is confirmed, with the street urchin Capuozzo at the extreme. «In the final 30 minutes we can maintain and even increase the pace»: with a first line equal to the starting one (Fischetti-Nicotera-Ferrari), the returning Lamb in second, Zuliani; then Allan returns, guaranteeing solutions in different roles. Nine players come from the French and English leagues, 13 are registered for Treviso, of the Zebre there is only the captain, Fischetti. «But many other guys from the Parma franchise – Trulla, Hasa, Canali, Zambonin, Gesi, Da Re – were very close to entering the 23».
Coach Quesada: «We will try some new things in attack»
«We will need a great defense to not give them spaces out wide, otherwise things could get complicated: Argentina has no weaknesses, they field an expert despite some absences (Matera, Kremer, Choco Bares, Santi Carreras) because they really feel the importance of this match, we will have to control their attack line which has put the Australians and New Zealanders in crisis.” For Quesada it is a special appointment, 70% of the Pumas grew up with him: «They have worked for years with a great culture of commitment, around a group of leaders, there is an extraordinary attachment to the shirt: but we Italians are also on the right track. We will have to continue on the path of this summer, and of the beautiful victory against Japan.” Twenty-three previous matches: 17 victories for the Pumas, 5 for Italy, one draw.
Italia: Capuozzo – Lynagh, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane – Paolo Garbisi, Page-Relo – Lorenzo Cannone, Lamaro, Negri – Ruzza, Niccolò Cannone – Riccioni, Lucchesi, Spagnolo. Available: Nicotera, Fischetti, Ferrari, Lamb, Zuliani, Alessandro Garbisi, Allan, Zanon.
Argentina: Mallia – Isgrò, Cinti, Orlando, Delguy -Albornoz, Bertranou – Oviedo, Grondona, Gonzalez – Rubiolo, Molina – Sclavi, Montoya, Gallo. Available: Ruiz, Calles, Gomez Kodela, Alemanno, Pedemonte, Garcia, Moroni, Cordero.
Referee: Carley (Ing)
#Rugby #Italy #brothers #Argentina #Quesada #focuses #Cannone #Garbisi
–
