2023-09-29 02:05:34
Italian rugby is now turning its eyes south. The influence of the French neighbors still exists, Ange Capuozzo is the symbol. But New Zealand, which the Squadra Azzurra faces this Friday (9 p.m.) in Lyon, represents another source of inspiration. In the game, firstly, thanks to coach Kieran Crowley, ex-back of the All Blacks, coach of Italy since 2021.
In the group of players, too, with the presence in this World Cup of hooker Hame Faiva and third row Toa Halafihi, aged 29 and born in New Zealand to parents of Tongan origin. Since 2021 for Faiva, 2022 for Halafihi, they have benefited from Italian sporting nationality, thanks to a minimum of five years spent in the same club, Benetton Treviso. And for the first time in their career, they will face their native country, starting on the sidelines, on Friday.
“I play for Italy but I still love the Blacks”
“It will be very moving to have this chance to enter the field,” smiles Toa Halafihi to AFP. It would be an honor to meet a part of our childhood. » “I play for Italy but I continue to love the All Blacks,” assures Hame Faiva. They showed me what rugby was and it is thanks to them that I love this sport. »
Epalahame Faiva, his full name, born in Auckland in 1993, even played for the All Blacks and participated in two Junior World Championships (under 20) in 2013 and 2014. As for his friend Toa Halafihi, it is in 2017 they leave the southern hemisphere, heading north. Directly to Benetton for Faiva, with a one-season stint in Lyon for Halafihi before joining Treviso, a club then coached by… Kieran Crowley. Having fallen in love with the “Dolce vita” and the rugby offered by their New Zealand coach, the two kids who trained with the Chiefs opted for Italian sporting nationality.
Faiva and Halafihi have not yet started in this 2023 World Cup. The hooker played 30 minutes in the success against Namibia for Italy’s entry into the running (52-8). It remains to be seen who will support the families of the two New Zealanders on Friday evening? “My parents will be behind Italy, that’s for sure,” assures Hame Faiva. But my friends will be behind the All Blacks. It will be 50-50. »
In 2008, during a friendly match between New Zealand and the Irish province of Munster, four former All Blacks performed a haka just before that of their former teammates.
“A haka too, to answer them, just the two of us,” laughs Halafihi, still speaking to AFP. More seriously, he adds: “It would almost be a challenge: a haka against the haka would bring a little electricity. » Asked about a potential “counter-haka” carried out by the two Italian-New Zealanders, All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor said he had no problem with it. “If they want to do it because that’s where they come from, then why not,” he said.
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