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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Italy vs. Wales (05/02/2017)
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<blockquote data-quote="Bruce_ma gooshvili" data-source="post: 835194" data-attributes="member: 74121"><p>Pretty much as expected sadly with only the conditions preventing the Wales getting a BP (the game was a great advert for the BP or the last 20 mins would have been meaningless). Here's hoping it is ******* it down in every Italian game.</p><p></p><p>I'm still unconvinced by O'Shea's tactics and selections but he doesn't have much to play with and I'd argue the gap between Italy and the 5th best team is far wider than it has ever been for them (following the improvement of Scotland and France). If Italy can get a single point on the table it'll be a miracle. Add in a unusually terrible crowd and it is all a little depressing and can only add fuel to the fire around debates about Italian rugby. </p><p></p><p>Personally, I'd much prefer to see them play Georgia, Romania, Spain, Russia and Germany than this sort of thing (keeping in mind that Wales are probably only 5th best this year with their backup coach and that this will likely be Italy's most "competitive" performance).</p><p></p><p>The Italians hired a terrible journeyman coach to coach Treviso (ex-Canadian national team coach Crowley) and fired the more competent Guidi at Zebre (who has far less resources). Things are going to get worse before they get better and O'Shea is not to blame for all of that. It's all about not humiliating ourselves in the short term with an average coach (arguably inferior to Brunel) and hoping that changes to the Pro sides and off the field matters (O'Shea's possible strengths) are successful in the medium to long term and create something that the next coach can play with in 2020.</p><p></p><p>I thought that Maggie lass and Ugo chap were the best studio performers of the weekend, so I'm not too upset ITV are getting coverage if they maintain that sort of level. Hopefully they can put some ad-breaks in the middle of Italian games to give me some respite! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite7" alt=":p" title="Stick Out Tongue :p" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":p" /></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Retired from international duty and became a player coach in the French 4th division. Only aged 32. A complete waste of a solid squad player particularly as we are utterly abject and bereft of all options at 12 with Mclean. I'm hoping O'Shea finds some way to combine Benvenuti & Campagnaro at centre, but he seems insistent on having a kicker at 12 and it's unclear if he made any effort to retain Garcia.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Yes. O'Shea is making Padovani kick it away without thinking. I just about shat myself when Padovani ran it back twice in this match! Twice! That's more than he did in the whole November tests. I think it's all about making sure Italy don't try and play any sort of rugby in their own half; a very negative tactic. Also possibly a very necessary tactic sadly, as it reduces the chances of getting a cricket score against you.</p><p></p><p>Padovani is crap at up and unders, but this is his first year at fullback, so hopefully it'll improve. It's clear O'Shea is going to stick with McLean and Padovani come hell or high water and in fairness there are no alternatives sticking their hands up.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Bruce_ma gooshvili, post: 835194, member: 74121"] Pretty much as expected sadly with only the conditions preventing the Wales getting a BP (the game was a great advert for the BP or the last 20 mins would have been meaningless). Here’s hoping it is ******* it down in every Italian game. I’m still unconvinced by O’Shea’s tactics and selections but he doesn’t have much to play with and I’d argue the gap between Italy and the 5th best team is far wider than it has ever been for them (following the improvement of Scotland and France). If Italy can get a single point on the table it’ll be a miracle. Add in a unusually terrible crowd and it is all a little depressing and can only add fuel to the fire around debates about Italian rugby. Personally, I’d much prefer to see them play Georgia, Romania, Spain, Russia and Germany than this sort of thing (keeping in mind that Wales are probably only 5th best this year with their backup coach and that this will likely be Italy’s most “competitive” performance). The Italians hired a terrible journeyman coach to coach Treviso (ex-Canadian national team coach Crowley) and fired the more competent Guidi at Zebre (who has far less resources). Things are going to get worse before they get better and O’Shea is not to blame for all of that. It’s all about not humiliating ourselves in the short term with an average coach (arguably inferior to Brunel) and hoping that changes to the Pro sides and off the field matters (O’Shea’s possible strengths) are successful in the medium to long term and create something that the next coach can play with in 2020. I thought that Maggie lass and Ugo chap were the best studio performers of the weekend, so I’m not too upset ITV are getting coverage if they maintain that sort of level. Hopefully they can put some ad-breaks in the middle of Italian games to give me some respite! :p Retired from international duty and became a player coach in the French 4th division. Only aged 32. A complete waste of a solid squad player particularly as we are utterly abject and bereft of all options at 12 with Mclean. I’m hoping O’Shea finds some way to combine Benvenuti & Campagnaro at centre, but he seems insistent on having a kicker at 12 and it’s unclear if he made any effort to retain Garcia. Yes. O’Shea is making Padovani kick it away without thinking. I just about shat myself when Padovani ran it back twice in this match! Twice! That’s more than he did in the whole November tests. I think it’s all about making sure Italy don’t try and play any sort of rugby in their own half; a very negative tactic. Also possibly a very necessary tactic sadly, as it reduces the chances of getting a cricket score against you. Padovani is crap at up and unders, but this is his first year at fullback, so hopefully it’ll improve. It’s clear O’Shea is going to stick with McLean and Padovani come hell or high water and in fairness there are no alternatives sticking their hands up. [/QUOTE]
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2024 Guinness Six Nations
[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: Italy vs. Wales (05/02/2017)
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