By Tadhg Peavoy
With Ireland’s Rugby World Cup showdown against Italy taking place on Sunday, we have compiled the thoughts of some of Italy’s rugby journalists on what will unfold in Dunedin.
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The general view from the Boot of Europe is that Ireland are heavy favourites going into the winner-takes-all clash. But, the Italian media posse feel that if Italy are to pull off a shock defeat, it is through the scrum that they will do it.
SPORTWEEK (GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT): LUCA CASTALDINI
Castaldini of Sportweek says: "Italy’s core business is the scrum, as the world of rugby knows.
"We don’t have centres, fullbacks or wings like Ireland, so we must use the first eight men: especially [Martin] Castrogiovanni, the South African [Cornelius] Van Zyl and captain [Sergio] Parisse.
"We hope Andrea Masi – who was injured for the match against USA - will be on the pitch, because as fullback he is more offensive and faster than [Luke] McLean.
"Above all, Italy must play the game of their lives - like versus France last March [in the Six Nations]."
Castaldini feels Paul O’Connell is the embodiment of Ireland: "In my opinion Paul O’Connell is Ireland, because he is huge, a leading player and his ability in line-outs and at the breakdown is more dangerous than the zig-zag runs of Brian O’Driscoll."
Castaldini also feels that the decision to start Jonathan Sexton or Ronan O’Gara will not greatly affect Italy: "Sexton is probably better in handling and he is faster than O’Gara, who is a great kicker.
"For a scrumming team as Italy; however, there should be not great differences between your two number 10s."
The Sportweek writer also feels Masi and Mauro Bergamasco are key to Italy’s hopes on Sunday: “Without injuries, Italy should play with the same fifteen as against USA, except Masi for McLean.
Andrea Masi is the creator in Italy's backline
“I think Mauro Bergamasco - injured in the first game - has shown to be our best number 7, despite his shoulder injury, and his lack of matches for Stade Francais last season.”
RUGBY1823: DUCCIO FUMERO
Like Castaldini, Fumero feels that Italy will target Ireland’s scrum in Dunedin: "Italy will go back to the game plan we well know, their game plan in the Six Nations and for the Australia match: Italy will defend, use their boots and try to put Ireland in difficulty with the scrum."
Fumero points out that Italy will target Ireland in the set-pieces and the breakdown to stymie the Ireland backs: "There are few weak points in the Irish team. But Italy will try to work hard in the scrum, the lineouts and the rucks, trying to stop the Irish game plan.
“That's what they have to do to prevent the Irish team being dangerous with their backs.”
The danger from Ireland, according to Fumero, is O’Gara: "Sexton is more dangerous in the open game, but for sure O'Gara is far better and skilled with his boot and that is something Italy can't defend well. So, it's surely easier for Italy with Sexton at outhalf."
Fumero also feels Italy will change little in their starting team to face Ireland: "Italy will play almost with the team that played USA.
"Castrogiovanni and [Salvatore] Perugini props; [Leonardo] Ghiraldini hooker; locks will be [Quintin) Geldenhuys and Van Zyl; Parisse number 8, with [Alessandro] Zanni flanker and Mauro Bergamasco or, less likely, [Robert] Barbieri flanker.
Martin Castrogiovanni will likely start at number one for Italy
"Scrumhalf should be [Fabio] Semenzato and flyhalf [Luciano] Orquera. Centre will be [Gonazlo] Canale and [Gonzalo] Garcia; wings Mirco Bergamasco and Tommaso Benvenuti and fullback Andrea Masi."
CORRIERE DELLO SPORT: CHRISTIAN MARCHETTI
Marchetti feels that it is through the sacred art of defence that Italy might take down Ireland: “Over the last four years Italy have attempted to correct the sacred art of defence.
"The game against Russia and the engagement with the United States have forced the Azzurri to show their skills in attack.
"A plan which, of course, will be totally revolutionised against Ireland. Italy will return to what we usually see at the Six Nations.
"So, expect a great job from the forwards, careful scrums and lineouts and tackles in industrial quantities.
"[Italy will] slow down the Irish, forcing Sexton and O'Gara to make difficult choices.
"For this World Cup, [Nick] Mallett has gained a great interpreter of lineouts in Van Zyl.
Cornelius van Zyl will hope to decode Ireland's lineouts
"He can also count on Semenzato or [Edoardo] Gori's unpredictability at scrum-half.
"However, the biggest problem remains the fly-half: [Craig] Gower's absence forced Mallett to fall back on Orquera or [Riccardo] Bocchino.
The Corriere journalist feels Italy fear Ireland: “Italy don't trust the Irish. The fear has increased after the victory against Australia.
"This is a reassuring result for the Irish before the clash with Italy. However, the key to breaking Ireland might be constant pressure on the ball-carriers.
"Italy are working hard on this and on the rucks also. What will be the weaknesses of the Irish? Perhaps their rush [to score].
“But why be in a hurry after the victory with the Wallabies? The ranking is now reassuring for them.”
Marchetti also feels Mallett will make few changes to his starting team: “Mallett shouldn't change much compared to the game with the United States. So, Masi - if recovered - at full-back; Treviso's young star Benvenuti and Mirco Bergamasco on the wings; Canale and Garcia's muscles for the centre; Orquera - at the moment the most reliable in the role – at fly-half and Semenzato scrum-half.
"Parisse - always the best for the Azzurri, Mauro Bergamasco, Zanni back-rows (Barbieri and [Paul] Derbyshire might be surprise inclusions instead of Bergamasco); Geldenhuys and Van Zyl locks; Castrogiovanni, Ghiraldini and Perugini."
GAZZETTA DI MANTOVA: LEONARDO BOTTANI
Bottani also feels the scrum is key to the Azzurri: "Scrum, scrum, scrum, is the only hope for Italy. As backs we are behind Ireland.
"Our defence is not at the level of Ireland’s attack and Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe are the dangers. Sexton should start for Ireland at out-thalf.”
The Mantova journalist also weighs in with a similar likely starting XV for Italy: "15 Masi, 14 Benvenuti, 13 Canale, 12 Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Orquera, 9 Gori, 8 Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Zanni, 5 Van Zyl, 4 Bortolami, 3 Castrogiovanni, 2 Ongaro, 1 Perugini."
