Italy: Best Championship, ever
As we do after a major tournament, we look at the state of affairs in each of the competing nations. Next up, Italy.
Success! At long last, Italy have managed to back up claiming one big scalp with another. The result? Their best Six Nations to date.
More than a few eyebrows were raised two years ago when the Italian Federation announced that the Azzurri had come as far as they could under Nick Mallett and it was time for fresh ideas. Many of those surprised looks turned to smiles of derision when Jacques Brunel declared that he had ambitions to making Italy one of the world's top six sides.
It seemed like the typical pie-in-the sky talk from a coach who wanted to make the right noises when arriving at a new job. Italy might have still have a long way to go to get anywhere near those lofty goals but never again will they be considered minnows in the Six Nations.
We shouldn't pretend to be shocked by victory over France. Been there, done that.
An historic victory over Ireland must be celebrated. Another milestone has been reached.
But I think this campaign's most significant result was at Twickenham, where the Azzurri had an average losing margin of 33 points and started as 40/1 outsiders yet managed to outscore their hosts by a try to none. Sure, England weren't at their best, but the self belief shown by the Italians - which almost saw them snatch another upset - was noteworthy.
Genuine ambition has been the missing ingredient in the past. Without needing to revolutionise the way Italy play, Brunel seems to have fostered a new, positive approach. Whilst Mallett must be given huge credit for the progress made under his watch, his attitude of "we'll try not to lose by too much" when playing the big nations away from home, is now a thing of the past.
Well, almost.
Murrayfield was a disaster. Scotland played but Italy's mental hangover after the French win was the bigger issue. Mallett's old criticisms of the stereotypical Latin temperament were proved uncomfortably true. That kind of inconsistency can no longer be accepted.
Italian fans have been waiting for a saviour at fly-half with the kind of anticipation that surrounded recent events at the Vatican and Luciano Orquera's performance in Edinburgh suggests their wait is not yet over, even if he was pretty good elsewhere.
The Italians back row now matches the front row in quality and a few big, hungry youngsters amongst the backs have taken to Brunel's vision of a slightly more expansive style like mozzarella to pizza.
With three away fixtures on the menu next year, emulating this year's achievements will be a very tough task but Italy's prospects have never looked better.
Bravissimo!
By Ross Hastie
Comments
carpelone says...
I have to admit that Orquera was good (bar the game against Scotland). Mallet could have gone with him.
Italy look in pretty good shape, new players with such a good impact at test level (Furno, Minto, De Marchi, Venditti, Gori) complementing the old dogs.
Gori had a sufficient game against Ireland, but below par. What is happening to Benvenuti? I expected much from him, but I have to say that Italian midfield looked more solid with Garcia-Canale.
Brunel has some work ahead to do.
Posted 13:20 22nd March 2013
dodgyrog says...
No doubt the Italians have improved there skill level quite considerably, can't help but feel playing regularly on the pro12 has helped there fitness and skills. Treviso are playing some very good rugby and starting to get results, zebra are poor at the minute but they have only been playing together since August?
Posted 13:15 22nd March 2013
piotr says...
@ Ross from PR - Very nice article, you could not have put it down any better: disappointment when Mallet left, concerns when Brunel came, but finally Italy not only has a strong scrum, it has also shown flair and handling skills completely neglected in Mallet's era. And I was a big fan of Mallet. Never too late to change opinions. A bientot Jacques! Promises are to be honoured, and Brunel is a honourable man. Finally it is time to play a solid flyhalf and I am betting on the following 5 rising stars: Morisi, Iannone, Ragusi, Apperley, Campagnaro.
Posted 03:44 22nd March 2013
vince12 says...
"The article mentions Italy's from row but Andrea Lo Cicero is retiring and Martin Castrogiovanni won't be far behind him. Do they have the depth to ensure that the front row remains a string point going forward?"
yes they have
Posted 21:26 21st March 2013
5Lock4ward says...
*strong
Posted 15:53 20th March 2013
5Lock4ward says...
The article mentions Italy's from row but Andrea Lo Cicero is retiring and Martin Castrogiovanni won't be far behind him. Do they have the depth to ensure that the front row remains a string point going forward?
Posted 15:53 20th March 2013
mayhem says...
Ive enjoyed watching Italy this year, am glad they are now an integral part of six nations who challenge everyone they play. Keep improving and more scalps await.
Posted 11:13 20th March 2013
giomamo says...
Two wins draws the best results of 2007 edition. Italy is now able to move ball much more and quicker than in the recent past, following Brunel's play philosophy, but the key is the enlarged quality of players. Parisse was almost alone till few years ago, now there's a group of top players around him: Zanni is one of the most underrated player of NH, Gori is the best scrum half since Troncon's times, Minto and Furno are new rising up young men, Geldenhuis was solid all the tournament, Masi shining even if his favourite role is at centre, MacLean grew a lot and so on. Also Celtic League was very important to make players used to play frequently with some of best players of NH. Now it's time to work on skills of new young coming players and, at same time, to enlarge basis of practitioners.
Posted 08:24 20th March 2013
NHsaints says...
To be fair France never really turned up, England have rarely played that badly and Ireland were injury stricken but credit to Italy for A: taking advantage and B: playing the best rugby of the tournament bar Wales and Scotland.
Posted 07:03 20th March 2013
papachinzo says...
It has to be said, the two victories were against two poorly coached and horrifically managed sides, not to mention the massive injury list bestowed upon Ireland. There only true possible Victory was taken away from them by poor refereeing against England, where the Azzurri really should have won.
On a positive, it was nice to see attacking Rugby return to the International stage, defiantly the best team to watch during the six nations and the best anthem too.
Posted 20:34 19th March 2013