Italy captain Sergio Parisse blasts ‘ridiculous’ cancellation
Italy's Sergio Parisse in action during 2019 Rugby World Cup warm-up match France v Italy at Stade De France on August 30, 2019 in Paris, France. France won 47-19. Photo by Loic Baratoux/ABACAPRESS.COM
Italy skipper Sergio Parisse has bemoaned the decision taken by World Rugby to cancel Italy’s encounter against New Zealand, which ended their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Although few gave the Azzurri a chance of upsetting the defending world champions, a comfortable victory would have seen them qualify for the last-eight.
However, following the news that the game will now not take place due to Typhoon Hagibis, Parisse was irritated by the call from the governing body.
“It is difficult to know that we won’t have the chance to play a match against one of the great teams,” he told reporters. “If New Zealand needed four or five points against us it would not have been cancelled.
“It is ridiculous that a decision of this nature has been made because it isn’t like the fans arrived yesterday.
“It is ridiculous that there was no Plan B, because it isn’t news that typhoons hit Japan. The alternative is Plan B. When you organise a World Cup you should have one in place.”
In the chaos of Typhoon Hagibis, spare a thought for Italy. Ghiraldini was set for a 20min farewell cameo against NZ in the final rugby match of his 15yr career. He spent months rehabbing and broke down in tears when news of cancellation broke in training. Sombre mood in Toyota.
— Nik Simon (@Nik_Simon88) October 10, 2019
Italian boss Conor O’Shea was similarly frustrated having seen years of preparation being ended by the weather.
“I saw the players’ reaction after training and it was horrible because these guys have given their lives to Italian rugby and their World Cup has ended on the training pitch, when it should be on the playing field,” O’Shea said.
“For the World Cup not to finish in front of the fans on the pitch, in front of the fans watching on TV in Italy, it is a hard day for all of us and difficult to put into words.”
It was also an emotional day for hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, who was set to play his final match before retiring from international rugby.
O’Shea added: “You’re very emotional especially for Leonardo Ghiraldini, who missed his last chance to play in an Italy jersey and to hear that your international career is finished after training is tough to take. I feel bad for Sergio and the whole squad.”
[jwplayer LUlCH8Ny-KtOROyIZ]