Italy v Wales

[An Tarbh]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ozzay @ Mar 9 2009, 12:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Anyone else heard anything?[/b]

well I am prone to making things up and it's not like I quoted it from a reputable website

 

[danit]

Italy XV
15 Andrea MARCATO (Treviso, 14 caps)
14 Giulio RUBINI (O. Parma, 1 cap)
13 Gonzalo CANALE (Clermont-Auvergne, 45 caps)
12 Mirco BERGAMASCO (Stade Francais, 59 caps)
11 Matteo PRATICHETTI (Calvisano, 15 caps)
10 Luke MCLEAN (Calvisano, 6 caps)
9 Paul GRIFFEN (Calvisano, 40 caps)
8 Sergio PARISSE (Stade Francais, 60 caps) - capitano
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO (Stade Francais, 72 caps)
6 Alessandro ZANNI (Calvisano, 29 caps)
5 Marco BORTOLAMI (Gloucester RFC, 72 caps)
4 Santiago DELLAPE' (Toulon RC, 55 caps)
3 Carlos NIETO (Gloucester RFC, 34 caps)
2 Leonardo GHIRALDINI (Calvisano, 17 caps)
1 Salvatore PERUGINI (Stade Toulousain, 58 caps)

16 Franco SBARAGLINI (Treviso, 1 cap)
17 Martin CASTROGIOVANNI (Leicester Tigers, 57 caps)
18 Carlo Antonio DEL FAVA (Ulster, 35 caps)
19 Josh SOLE (Viadana, 36 caps)
20 Pablo CANAVOSIO (Viadana, 23 caps)
21 Luciano ORQUERA (Brive, 12 caps)
22 Roberto QUARTAROLI (O. Parma, uncapped)


some more weird picks by Mallet with Marcato (usually flyhalf) at 15, Rubini (usually fullback) at 14 , McLean (usually fullback) at 10, Griffen at 9 (what's Canavosio there for?)

 

[An Tarbh]

Griffen made sense against Ireland and should have been there against England but once Canavosio was available he should have started, Griffen was just out of his depth at Murrayfield and picking him again plays right into Wales' hands as he's going to kick ball deep inviting the Welsh to counterattack at will. Well done Mallet!

 

[Meh]

Just read that Nick Mallett took a week off on holiday prior to the game...

What sort of coach goes on holiday in the middle of the 6N? Did he just think "sod it, we're not going to win a game" and leave?

 

[An Tarbh]

well it's in keeping with his half assed approach everywhere, ah the scrum half's injured, well I don't know any other players outside the squad so I'll put everyone's name in a hat and try and fool them all into thinking it's an inspired tactical decision or he thinks he's onto an easy thing given the Welsh have made so many changes, genius from Gatland.

On the other hand if he's off the job for a week that can only be good for the players.

 

[Canadian_Rugger]

Marcato has actually played most of his career at fullback ... its a shame the Italians are so starved of quality halfbacks they have some talent in the backfield but they just have no way of unleashing it they are basically squandering the greatest generation of forwards ever produced by Italy

 

[An Tarbh]

right about to get underway in Rome, would love Italy to keep the score down but I think the Welsh backs will cut loose and rack up a score.

 

[Sir Speedy]

It won't be long before AWJ has heart failure during the Welsh anthem.

 

[An Tarbh]

he did seem to be a bit overawed by the whole experience in his interview on the BBC website.

 

[An Tarbh]

not the most promising start with 7 million kicks so far.

 

[An Tarbh]

Yapp lying on his feet, right under the refs nose with his hand on the ball and Lewis lets him away with it, good start Alan.

 

[Sir Speedy]

Nice bit of interplay there, though that pass inside from Parisse post-scrum seems to be the extent of their line breaks. If teams close that down, what can they offer?

 

[An Tarbh]

not much, chance though to take the lead after Wales are pinged in the scrum, Marcato makes it.

3-0 Italy

 

[An Tarbh]

not the most subtle piece of obstruction from Powell.

 

[Sir Speedy]

That scrum half proving you guys right immediately. GET BLONDIE ON.

 

[An Tarbh]

Griffen shows why he's Mallets number 1 scrum half.

 

[An Tarbh]

wasteful from Hook, no need for the chip, go through the phases and you'll easily break this Italian defence down.

 

[An Tarbh]

Wales going off their feet, good chasing from Bergamasco though. Italy go for the lineout though, won't score off it./

 

[Sir Speedy]

Bergamasco not letting Mark Jones up? Penalty Wales?
Meh, Italian penalty and they've gone for touch! We'll see what they can do now.

EDIT: Nothing.

 

[An Tarbh]

such a waste, take the scoring chances when they come your way, no point in chasing the game this early.