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Rugby World Cup 2007
Pool C - General discussion
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<blockquote data-quote="scrumhalf" data-source="post: 129350"><p>In Italy, Rugby is definitely a minor sport, although young boys playing rugby union are constantly increasing. But Italy is definitely "soccer-centric", and rugby is perceived as a weird sport. Besides soccer, there are many sports where the Italians have good results (cycling, motorbiking, fencing, Formula1 car racing, where Ferrari is a sort of "national religion"); thus rugby has not many publicity, although it is an emerging sport. The "typical Italian" can't tell rugby from american football <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>Anyway, things are getting better now that Italy takes part in the 6 Nations. I think the main problem is that rugby is never broadcast by the "mainstream" televisions, except for the 6 Nations; and even the 6 Nations is broadcast by a minor channel (La7) that only partially covers our nation. Currently, only the pay TV broadcasts rugby (the national club competition, Super 10, the international Test Matches, the Rugby World Cup, the Tri-Nation, the Super 14, the European Cup and so on): but the Sky TV subscribers represent about 5% of the Italians. This prevents rugby from becoming a well known sport here.</p><p></p><p>As for any of the Italian players being good enough to play for a major union national team... I think yes: we have some very valuable forwards that are currently top players in the French Top 14 or in the English Premiership. Number 8 Sergio Parisse or lock Marco Bortolami (and some others) at their top condition could well be playing in a national team like France.</p><p></p><p>Ciao</p><p>Francesco</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="scrumhalf, post: 129350"] In Italy, Rugby is definitely a minor sport, although young boys playing rugby union are constantly increasing. But Italy is definitely "soccer-centric", and rugby is perceived as a weird sport. Besides soccer, there are many sports where the Italians have good results (cycling, motorbiking, fencing, Formula1 car racing, where Ferrari is a sort of "national religion"); thus rugby has not many publicity, although it is an emerging sport. The "typical Italian" can't tell rugby from american football :) Anyway, things are getting better now that Italy takes part in the 6 Nations. I think the main problem is that rugby is never broadcast by the "mainstream" televisions, except for the 6 Nations; and even the 6 Nations is broadcast by a minor channel (La7) that only partially covers our nation. Currently, only the pay TV broadcasts rugby (the national club competition, Super 10, the international Test Matches, the Rugby World Cup, the Tri-Nation, the Super 14, the European Cup and so on): but the Sky TV subscribers represent about 5% of the Italians. This prevents rugby from becoming a well known sport here. As for any of the Italian players being good enough to play for a major union national team... I think yes: we have some very valuable forwards that are currently top players in the French Top 14 or in the English Premiership. Number 8 Sergio Parisse or lock Marco Bortolami (and some others) at their top condition could well be playing in a national team like France. Ciao Francesco [/QUOTE]
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