Despite Milan's 80,000 San Siro stadium being sold out for the All Blacks' visit on November 14, Azzurri coach Nick Mallett wants Rome's Stadio Flaminio to remain the home of Italian rugby.
The massive interest in the north, which has always been the heartland of Italian rugby, has given rise to questions as to whether the Azzurri's Six Nations games should be moved away from the aging 32 000 seater in the capital.
But Mallet feels at the Flaminio offers than meets the eye.
"I don't think so," Mallett told Reuters when asked if Italy should quit Rome full-time following the San Siro experiment.
"Flaminio is a very attractive stadium for Italian rugby to play in and also for other teams to come to. It's good for international rugby when you've got Paris, Rome, London etc."
Mallet also feels that Rome should be next in line for a place in the Magners League. The Italian federation originally offered one of the two spots in the competition to a new Rome franchise but financial problems led to Treviso being given the slot instead alongside fellow northerners Aironi, sparking a row between the rich North and poorer South.
"I think Italian rugby would like a third spot in the Celtic League and that would definitely go to Rome," said Mallett.
Mallet is impressed with All Blacks ability to draw a sell-out crowd at the San Siro, a soccer stadium.
"That has been an incredible achievement for Italian rugby and it shows what a strong brand New Zealand are," he said.
"Arguably South Africa are the best side in the world but for an Italian, the All Blacks for some reason have managed to build this brand. Jonah Lomu must have something to do with it.
"I don't think rugby has ever had a crowd like this. We took a bit of a risk given the size of the stadium but it's really worked out well."
Italy suffered five defeats from five for the first time since 2005 in this year's Six Nations and Mallett expects another tough campaign as his side will have been soften up by the world tow best teams (New Zealand and South Africa) before they meet Samoa in Ascoli on November 28
"The calendar in 2009 has been tough. By the time we play Samoa it's going to be hard as we will have been through two tough games but we've just got to play what's in front of us," the former Springbok coach said.
Comments
ForzAzzurri says...
And I thank Nick Mallet, lets make Rome the home of the international rugby for italy.
Actually I really wouldn't mind if every now and then a few matchs will be played even south of Rome 'couse I can assure you it would still be a succes.
Posted 18:03 07th November 2009