2023-09-29 06:20:06
Italy meets New Zealand on Friday September 29 in Lyon (9 p.m., live on TF1), as part of the fourth day of Group A, that of France. The Italians will need to accomplish a resounding feat, either against the New Zealanders or then against the French, to hope to qualify for the quarter-final of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
► Still stuck in the first round
Italian rugby players have not missed a single edition of the World Cup since 1987. But they have never managed to pass the first round and qualify for the quarter-finals during their nine previous participations. Capable of regularly dominating “small” rugby countries, such as Canada, Romania or Tonga, the Transalpines systematically come up against the major nations in this sport.
This year again, Italy, ranked 11th in the world, successfully entered the competition by beating Uruguay (38-17) and Namibia (52-8). Now an opponent of a completely different level appears before her: New Zealand, whom she has never beaten in 15 confrontations. Against France, which it will meet on October 6, it has won 3 times, for 42 defeats.
The Azzurri who will face New Zealand in Lyon ???????? #RWC2023 | #NZLvITA | @Federugbypic.twitter.com/SbYi53CXtq
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 27, 2023
► A collection of “wooden spoons”
Italy was included in 2000 in the Five Nations Tournament, which became the Six Nations Tournament. This invitation to rub shoulders with the European elite was to accompany his progress on the international scene and take him a step further. Despite some scattered successes, the newcomer has never managed to truly compete with England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France.
On the contrary, the Italians have accumulated the “wooden spoons”, the “trophy” awarded to those who lose all the matches in the same edition. In 23 participations, this happened to them 12 times: in 2001, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. This assessment regularly revives the debates on the Italian presence in this competition .
► A northern sport
In Italy, rugby is historically established in the north of the peninsula, particularly in Veneto. The club from Rovigo, a town in the Po Valley, has won the national championship 14 times. Treviso is another stronghold of Italian ovalism. His club, which belongs to the Benetton family, now has the status of a “franchise”, a professional structure supported by the Italian federation to bring together the best players in order to help them progress.
Bennetton Rugby Trevise was integrated into the Celtic League in 2010, which in 2021 became the United Rugby Championship. This international competition brings together Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Italian and South African teams. The Zebras of Parma, another Italian franchise, are also part of it.
► The contribution of foreigners
The Italian XV has been led since 2021 by a New Zealander, Kieran Crowley, who until then coached Treviso. This former All Blacks fullback was a member of the world champion selection in 1987. Before him, two other former New Zealand internationals, Brad Johnstone and John Kirwan, were Italy coaches in the 2000s.
French technicians were also responsible for training Italy: Julien Saby, Pierre Villepreux, Georges Coste, Pierre Berbizier, Jacques Brunel… Likewise, foreign players regularly come to strengthen the squad, such as currently the 3rd line Toa Halafihi, originally from New Zealand, and winger Monty Ioanne, born in Australia.
► Angel Capuozzo, the French attraction
Ange Capuozzo was born in Grenoble, started playing rugby in Pont-de-Claix, wears the colors of Stade Toulouse, but it is with the flag of Italy on his chest that he will challenge the New Zealanders. A story of family and heart.
The paternal grandfather of the flying back or winger was in fact one of the many Italian immigrants settled in Isère. Never called up to the French youth teams, Ange Capuozzo was spotted by the Italian rugby federation which invited him to join the under-20 selection in 2019. He then established himself as a starter within the XV of Italy and became one of its attractions. During this World Cup, he has already scored two tries in the first two matches.
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