Paolo Canavoisio: Plagued with injury
In eleven years of Six Nations rugby, Italy have become a vastly improved side. All parties would agree on that. But there remains one nagging problem.
They have a strong scrum, a solid defensive system and a proficient set of backs that are lacking only in the ability to 'create something out of nothing'.
Where they haven't taken any steps forward is in their half-backs. The 9 and 10 pairing of Diego Dominguez and Alessandro Troncon is revered so fondly in Italy, in part, because of the vacuum they left behind in their positions.
At scrum-half: Paul Griffin, Pietro Travagli and Simon Picone have all occupied the number 9 jersey for decent lengths of time. At 10 the list of pretenders is longer: Rima Wakarua, Roland De Marigny, Luciano Orquera, Ramiro Pez, Andrea Scanavacca and Andrea Marcato. While there have been successes in the post Dominguez-Troncon era--against Scotland in 2008 and in 2010 (N.B. 'Tronky' was still very much at large when Italy downed both Scotland and Wales in 2007)-- but no-one has managed to replace the golden boys of Italian rugby; not in the true sense of the word.
So what are Italy's half-back prospects in the current age? Starting with the scrum-halves Planet Rugby takes a look at those tasked with filling the void.
Eduardo Gori
The man currently in possession of the 9 shirt is the 20-year-old former U20 captain (it just about adds up). Known as 'Ugo', he made his debut for the national side this November in the 32-14 reversal in Florence. Praised as 'exceptional' by Nick Mallett after the match, the South African coach rewarded Gori with a full 80 minutes in Italy's crucial match a week later against Fiji. Something he hadn't granted to an Azzurri scrum-half in 19 Tests prior.
In his two performances so far he has succeeded in creating more time for his fly-half by consistently delivering the ball at chest height and on the front foot. In defence he has a great appetite for work, making 15+ tackles on his debut against the Wallabies. But his enthusiasm for the physical needs to be reigned in a touch; two of the four tries Italy conceded in November were as a result of Gori, at 12 stone 7 pounds, defending too close to the ruck and being driven out the way by heftier members of the opposition.
With only two caps to his name but with the warm-hearted backing of Mallet, Gori should start against Ireland on February 5. But will he stay there?
Paolo Canavoisio
He made the 9 jersey his own in 2006 but has since been plagued by injuries and inconsistency; earning the majority of his 30 test caps as a substitute.
In 2010 he returned and was in fine form, coming off the bench against England, Scotland and France to great effect. In those matches Canavoisio played with a Troncon-esque swagger and style; finding space for his forwards to bust holes in the opposition defence and releasing his backs only when they had a disorganised defence in front of them. He scored two tries to boot and went on to end the season as Italy's top try-scorer.
Rightly so he ousted Tito Tebaldi for the final match of the Championship, against Wales. But then, and this seems to be the eternal problem with Canavoisio, he turned in a hesitant and unsure performance which set the platform for Wales to record a 33-10 victory. All of which must have that left Nick Mallett reeling and confused in equal measure. However's Italy's coach still believes in Canavoisio and has selected him in the 24-man training squad for the Six Nations. If he gets another opportunity as a starter, Canavoisio must, this time, show that he's made of the right pasta.
Tito Tebaldi
Although not in Nick Mallett's Prima Squadra, the Aironi scrum-half would be the logical person to call up in the event of an injury to Gori or Canavoisio.
An emerging talent with ball in-hand and a stoic defender, Tebaldi found himself dropped to the 'A' squad during the Autumn for the scrum-half cardinal sin of not consistently finding his fly-half with his passing. Perhaps it was just a bad day at the office against Argentina in Verona; but regardless Tebaldi will have to improve. Injuries permitting, (his own and those of his rivals) he could make a return towards the end of the tournament.
By Jack Zorab
Comments
jazophine says...
It's a strange one. Botes' ability kicking at goal and Burton's lack of a it (even though he is good at drop-goals) means that Treviso have to play Botes' as much as they can if they want to win. But why Gori is behind Semenzato is confusing.
Maybe he's actually not good enough to play in the Magners League as a simple scrum-half, but is good enough to do it at international level (where he's not required to kick). It sounds absurd but it's possible
Posted 14:51 31st January 2011
piotr says...
The story goes that if Benetton Treviso and Aironi joined the Magners League to give Azzurri players more international rugby experience, and if Italy's main weakness is playing the game wide (given its heavyweight pack), then why on earth does Italy have to play with Gori at number 9 (a very decent player by the way) who has not been picked by his team (Benetton) for the last 3-4 games? Why not give more opportunities to Gori at club level? He is young and talented as Mallett is saying and ready to play in the most important European competition (the 6 Nations) or is he not good enough to play the Magners League?
Posted 13:45 31st January 2011
jazophine says...
Thanks for pointing that out piotr. I didn't mention it in the article mainly because I forgot. Playing the most at the moment is Canavoisio-on the wing!
As regards Botes' situation, I think he could still make the world cup squad as he is in his third season with Treviso so by September 2011 he will complete his 36 months and qualify under residency laws. That is assuming he arrived at the very beginning of his first season at the club in 2008.
But Mallet has said that the world cup scrum-halves will be selected from the above and Semenzato so he's stuck anyway.
For me Tebaldi represents the most dangerous all round threat as his kicking out of hand is quite good too. If only, if only he can iron out his passing.
But I also like Gori and can't wait to see more of him in the Six Nations. A traditional scrum-half
Posted 12:06 31st January 2011
Bokswillprevail says...
I can remember when Italy was the place to go in the non-pro era if you wanted to earn some cash. Many of the legends of the time went there for a while. If they could pump some more money into the game, they could 'import' talent in key areas, and they could really make a go of competing. Thought the brothers playing at centre for Italy A on Sat against Eng Saxons, were potentially world class.
Posted 19:53 30th January 2011
piotr says...
worth pointing out that none of the above are consistently playing for either Treviso or Aironi. Benetton Treviso has Botes as a number 9 jersey favourite and Gori often struggles even to sit on the bench while Semenzato is Botes' replacement. Aironi's scrum half spot is turned over by Canavosio, Tebaldi and Wilson - because all of them are inconsistent in their game. Out of the six scrum halfs above mentioned, the only one who is playing week in and week out in Magners League is Botes, also the only one not eligible to play for Azzurri. A big issue for Italy's team
Posted 16:23 30th January 2011
carpelone says...
Thank for this analysis. Number 9 and kicking game are the main issue for Italy at the moment. I agree with Mallet that Gori, Canavosio and Tebaldi is the right order. Canavosio is good at taking chances when he comes in at 55-60 minutes, his right to left passing not accurate and reliable enough.
Tebaldi is potentially a good prospect, he failed agaisnt Argentina in delivering a performance with the right timing, allowing the "professional" defence of the Argentinians to slow down the game too much.
Gori did quite well in November, considering all the pressure he had. Adjustments in the defense have quite rightly to be made, as it can not be expected that he can successfully tackle a Fijan forward on the try line.
Posted 11:43 30th January 2011