Mallett calls on Bok destroyer
Italy coach Nick Mallett has included Martin Castrogiovanni in the starting line-up to face New Zealand.
Castrogiovanni was a dominant force for the Leicester Tigers against the midweek Springboks last Friday, and is sure to test the All Blacks in the same manner.
South African-born Carlo Antonio del Fava is the only other new addition to the team which lost to the Blacks in Christchurch in June.
Italy - 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Subs: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Antonio Pavanello, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Simon Picone, 21 Kristopher Burton, 22 Alberto Sgarbi
November 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Now there is a dragon we should get for the Super 14.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Hard to spot a native Italian in there…
Castro and Hayman are the best TH props in the World, Davey Crockett is gonna have his work cut out there.
So Parisse gets another chance to show us he’s a better gouger than Burger. Seems outrageous that he should be avail already against the same opposition.
The Azzurri are really gonna be UP for this one, esp against an AB B team at a sold out San Siro.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
#2 WakaNathan: Oh shew so what you are saying is that my Itis have a smattering of a chance? and there I was already feeling sorry for them!
November 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Why wouldnt them pick after he violated Guthro Steenkamp all night in Leicester. It wasnt pretty in any way, shape or form.
November 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Italy will def fancy their chances against this NZ B team.Still,the AB should have too much firepower across the park,but..whether they will actually fire is another matter altogether,with guys like Ellis Delany & McAlister to pull the strings.But once again Im gonna say NZ by 15+
November 12th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
agree with WAKA. Malett’s got himself a nice Barbarian team there
November 12th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
#3 Sharksgirl:
Definitely. A slim chance but a much bigger one than theyve ever had against NZ before.
Firstly, they have 1 of the very best coaches on the Planet = Nick Mallet.
Secondly, their pack is competitive with any, bar none. With a magnificant TH in Castro and a no8 with mongrel and flair in Parisse, they will punch their weight.
Thirdly, at Home – 1st time in Milan – and selling OUT the San Siro ??? that place will go nuts. Ive been to a derby there and nothing compares for that ‘cauldron’ effect in that stadium. Humbling.
Lastly, most importantly, the ABs have picked an almost entire B team incl debutants. Panic can happen at any moment with a thrown-together inexperienced team.
So the Azzurri definitely have a chance. Would love to be there. Went to Genova for an AB Test there once, sold out there too, and the crowd was electric. They rushed the fences whenever a scrap was on like spectators at the Colosseum, baying for SANGUE ! For Italians, rugby is becoming a very popular niche sport. Mothers like the macho thing about it and Dads pretent tho know something but have never played. They go a little pazzo tho.
November 12th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Good heavens….Waka and i agree on something…Nick Mallet…GREAT COACH!
Go italy!!
November 12th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
#8 grant10:
as long as its Pro-SA, Im sure we’ll always agree on something G10.
Big Hit, can we tag at this moment ?
November 12th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
What kind of Italian name is Quintin Geldenhuys ? He must be from the South…near Napoli!
November 12th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Wolf
a child born to an Italian citizen has the right to Italian citizenship no matter where they were born or live like my sons born in SA SAn father, names and surnames but all have Italian passports