Aironi winger Kaine Robertson, capped 47-times for Italy, gives Tadhg Peavoy his views on the Azzurri’s chances in Rugby World Cup Pool C and the state of the game in Italy.
1) How do you think Italy will do in RWC Pool C?
The most important game for Italy is obviously the last pool match against Ireland. Nothing against Russia or the US, but I think it will all come down to that game.
Obviously the goal is to beat Ireland and get through to the quarters and there could be a good chance. Ireland may be a bit down mentally having lost the four pre-World Cup games and Italy fronted up quite well against Ireland in their last 6 Nations encounter.
The Aussies will come out pumped [against Italy]. A couple of years ago they struggled in Italy - especially up front. But, I think it will be a tough day at the office for the Italian boys. If Italy come out 110%, it will be touch and go between Ireland and Italy, but I’m going to back Italy.
2) Who do you think will be Italy’s star performer at the RWC?
Obviously, there are the famous players: Sergio Parisse and Martin Castrogiovanni - they always give 110% percent. Some of the other members of the team have come in for some flak recently, so hopefully they’ll step up. Hopefully, Luciano Orquera will be able to shine and Andrea Masi had a good 6 Nations.
3) What is the feeling surrounding the RWC in Italy - are the public behind the team? Is there much coverage in the newspapers? Or, is it still flying slightly below the radar?
Four years ago the tournament was in France and there was a lot of publicity. Now, with the tournament down in New Zealand, compared to four years ago, there’s a lot less coverage – possibly because of the distance.
Hopefully, the Italian boys will be able to put in a good performance and make the quarters and bring it back into the headlines.
4) What do you think the weaknesses are in the Italy team?
Up front, Italy have a great forward pack. That’s where their strength has been for the last century. The backs, particularly the number tens, have been given a lot of flak over here recently. The little bit of press there has been about rugby has all been negative about the 10s.
Hopefully, Italy will be able to step up in the centres. We’ve got guys that play in France and in England so they know how to play a proper game.
You’ve got [Gonzalo] Canale, who’s been at Clermont - and starts regularly - for the last three or four years.
Masi at full-back, Mirco Bergamasco. I think these boys have got to mould a little bit together. If they don’t, possibly [Brian] O’Driscoll might find some gaps around there.
5) Why do Italy struggle to produce backs of the same high quality as their forwards?
That’s the question everyone’s been asking for the last 20-odd years. It is quite weird, because quite often there is the forward pack that goes forward with perfect ball all the time. But, for some reason it doesn’t click in the backs. It’s hard to put my finger on it.
A few coaches have come in through the years and tried to change things, it just doesn’t seem to click; it’s a magic question. We’ve thought for the last five years: "It’s coming, it’s coming."
But, it’s still not coming. When it’s going to be right, who knows?
6) Is part of the problem that there isn’t enough rugby taught at underage level?
I’ve just got into helping out at the under-16s at Aironi, and compared to what I remember back in New Zealand a few years ago, the skill levels are not there.
Now Aironi is trying to work with schools around our area and put it into the school curriculum. It’s quite tough and it’s a lot to do with political things over here.
You’ve got to go through a thousand channels and it’s quite hard. For the last two years the federation [FIR] have an academy up and running for under-18 players and those boys are slowly coming through.
But it’s just a bit behind the eight-ball stall [world rugby’s big eight international teams]. It is improving and as soon as it gets into the schools, it will be a whole different story.
7) If Italy are to beat Ireland in Pool C, how will they do it?
If the backs step up we have a great chance. Over the last few years in the 6 Nations we’ve had a few good results against the Irish and that’s because the backs have gone out and defended well.
The forwards, we know are always going to step up. So, I think if our backs step up we can put out a great performance.
Follow @RTErugby and the #rterugby tag on twitter to keep in touch with RTÉ content.
