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<BR><!-- BBCode Start --><B>New Blues for Berbizier’s Boys?</B><!-- BBCode End -->
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<BR>New Blues for Berbizier’s Boys?
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<BR>Pierre Berbizier’s (PB) squad selection for RBS 6N 2006 has signalled clearly that he is preparing a new generation of players for the upcoming 2007 World Cup campaign in ( supposing quite reasonably that Italy qualify). The surprising ommisions of Italian and Treviso legend Alessandro Troncan , and Rovigo icon Pepe Scannavacca are a clear show of intent that in his adopted Les Bleus (Azzurri), Berbizier picks only on form and not on fame. Further proof of this is the well deserved inclusion again of Italian- New Zealand player from Gran Parma, Rima Wakarua. Considering his clinical precision so far this season in the Italian Super10 , should PB pick him ,opposing teams would be well advised to keep their penalty count in the low single digits.
<BR>Also returning after missing the November Tests are backs Simone Piccone ( speedster) , Denis Dallan ( veteran) and experienced forwards Perugini and Dellape.
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<BR>Italy, captained by 26 year old Marco Bartolami ( Narbonne Top14), has one fo the youngest international squads in circulation , at an average age of 25. However this youth is fully complimented by the fact that many of its players plie their trade in the demanding rugby environment of the French Top14 and the Italian Super10 is ever improving. Another “new” face is classy utilty back Ezio Galon from Gran Parma’s city rival , Overmach Parma.Galon, after serving 6 seasons in both the French Top14 and Prod2 , has been recalled by Berbizier not for sentimental reasons, but very simply because Galon has performed outstandingly at centre, wing and full back during this years Italian Super10.
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<BR>So.. new faces , new coach , new “Esprit du Guerre” ,new edition of the Six nations.., but will it be more of the same for the “ Azzurri”?
<BR>Italians are marvellous people, frenetically passionate about anything they do ( tell me something i dont know i can hear you say!), but however also have an admirable ability to be highly self critical. Italian rugby , in my opinion is at a crossroads, and faces many hard and difficult decisions. These decisons include whether to reform the current Super10 into 4 regional teams, whether to bring back their star players from France, England and elsewhere , whether to severely limit the influx of foreign players in the domestic leagues , whether to initiate a system of national rugby academies...and so on.( Sound familiar?). Bebizier himself has laid down the gaunltet to the powers to be in Italian rugby by stating by 2007 Italy must move to a format of 4 or 6 Regional teams and pursue more aggressivlely the development of young local talent.
<BR>From my experience as a rugby consultant in Italy, I would suggest that there is an abundance of gifted and motivated young players ...the question now is to find space for them.
<BR>This lack of serious investment in skill levels and academies at a national level will be again I believe the downfall of the Azzuri in the 2006 Six Nations. There forwards can mix it with the best ..and some would find their way onto most top10 IRB ranked teams. They have a splendid back row where PB is spoilt with choices. The fact that he played 23 year old star Sergio Parisse ( Stade Francais) at no.6 against Tonga, Argentina and Fij in November , and playing bulky import Josh Sole ( Viadana) at no.8 gives you and idea of the power of their back three. Their front row dont bother with badminton or cricket...they scrum , ruck , drive..and they all do it very very well. Bartolami and Del Fava are quickly growing into seasoned international locks..but have a long ways to go to reach the heights of Pelous, Grewcock , Murray , O’Connell et al.
<BR>But it is in the back line where they still have problems competing at international level.
<BR>Paul Griffen at scrum half is a snappy customer , and when on form ..can be a handful. But the pivotal no.10 position is still precarious , no.15 is newly entrusted to Galon for the injured Gert Peens,and also the late loss of one of their real stars Canale ( Clermont) is a big blow.They have some speed on the wings but they lack a real match breaker. And in defense they were badly shown up against quality opposition such as Argentina in November. They may be in for a torrid time against deep counter attacking sides such as Scotland and France or the mercurial skills of the Irish centres.
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<BR>National coach for the Azzurri is not an easy job! (Ask PB’s 5 former occupants of the hot seat since 1999). However perhaps the blend of Gallic flair and Italian passion may just be the recipe to bring this young team to new heights. Berbizier has instilled a new sense of confidence in Italian rugby, especially after famosuly defeating the Pumas in Cordaba , during the summer.
<BR>One thing is for sure..to beat the Azzurri you will need to bring your best game.It is hard to think of a team more deserving of another win in the six nations, but despite my heart, my grey matter tells me that Berbizier and his newly adopted Les Bleus will be again signing the Blues in March..
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<BR>David Mooney, Irish rugby Consultant., Roma.
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