Mallett: Boks pose huge hurdle

2008-06-16 16:49

Cape Town - Nick Mallett said the Springboks posed a huge hurdle for Italy in Saturday's Test at Newlands.

The Azzurri coach referred to recent Test results to illustrate his point.

"If you do your maths, and know that South Africa beat Wales by 43 points (43-17, in Bloemfontein) and Wales beat Italy by 47 points (47-8, in Cardiff), even though Italy was at full strength, then it's obviously a huge hurdle for this team to overcome this weekend," said Mallett, a former Springbok coach.

"South African rugby players have generally, over the last three to four years, really improved their skills levels. The South African players haven't lost out on physicality, or their ability to turn ball over.

"They are very aggressive in the contact situations, and at the same time even getting 50-50 opportunities of trying to get off -loads. It's what New Zealand have been doing effectively, as well as Australia."

Mallett said South African rugby had a bright future, especially if the performances of the Springboks could filter through to lower levels. He also felt the new laws was benefiting South African rugby.

"It is a good thing (the new laws). The ball is in play so much more," said Mallett. "You need to be able to hold onto it to get continuity. South African rugby has been fantastic.

Memories

"I have just seen South Africa run out of their 22m area and attack after quick tap penalties. It's very, very positive rugby they (South Africa) play. You have got to compliment them on that."

Italy's tour to SA, is certain to stir Mallett's memories. When Italy undertook their first SA tour in 1999, Mallett was the Bok coach at the time and he guided his side to 101-0 and 74-3 victories.

The 101-0 defeat is the biggest Test defeat for the Italians. In 2001 Harry Viljoen's Boks defeated Italy 60-14.

However, Mallett said the heavy defeats were expected.

"The point is that those (1999, 2001) teams were not really prepared for the standard of the Springboks," Mallett explained. "Another problem was that the teams were young, and not settled combinations. It was always a matter of the established players against the young up-and-coming brigade who were looking for places in the team.

"It's not dissimilar with this team. You've got to set realistic targets for the team when you're in this situation."

Mallett said the lack of finance was stifling the growth of Italian rugby.

"Italy have a professional league, an internal one, but the budgets are so much smaller than anything in Europe," said Mallett.

'Southern hemisphere'

"It's very hard to keep the players in Italy, if you can't pay them. The power of the pound and euro are so strong.

"I'ts even a problem for the southern hemisphere unions. Look at (Victor) Matfield, Bakkies (Botha) and (Dan) Carter. It's one big problem for southern hemisphere teams." The fact that so many players in Italy's Test squad play elsewhere in Europe posed a real problem for Mallett.

"My biggest problem is just getting the players together for a camp," said Mallett. "It's a nightmare." Mallett said rich rugby countries such as England could pay clubs to release players for Test duty, whereas minor countries like Italy could only have a few days to prepare for Tests.

"It's a problem the IRB has so sort out," said Mallett. "The playing fields must be levelled. The real problem is club versus country. We've seen what happens in soccer, countries battle to get their players back from clubs who pay players a fortune.

"Playing for a club is one's bread and butter money. Its what pays your bond, putting money away for retirement. Playing for a country is the cherry on the top."

Mallett arrived in Cape Town on Monday morning with a 24-man squad that was without at least 13 first choices. Mallett that apart injuries, several players were still on duty at various European clubs, and could not obtain a release.

Saturday's Test

The young and inexperienced squad will be captained by hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini of Cammi Calvisano club.

After Saturday's Test at Newlands, Italy will set off for Argentina where they will also play one Test.

Italy finished last in the Six Nations Championship in which they managed one victory, defeating Scotland 23-20 in Rome in the last round of matches.

Italy tour squad Robert Barbieri (Benetton Treviso), Pablo Canavosio (Castres Olympique), Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Ulster), Santiago Dellap?Biarritz Olympique), Jaco Erasmus (Montepaschi Viadana), Gonzalo Garcia (Cammi Calvisano), Leonardo Ghiraldini, captain (Cammi Calvisano), Andrea Marcato (Benetton Treviso), Andrea Masi (Biarritz Olympique), Luke Mclean (Cammi Calvisano), Alejandro Moreno (Leicester Tigers), Carlos Nieto (Gloucester), Ludovico Maria Nitoglia (Cammi Calvisano), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens), Enrico Patrizio (Carrera Petrarca Padova), Riccardo Pavan (Overmach Cariparma), Simon Picone (Benetton Treviso), Matteo Pratichetti (Cammi Calvisano), Tommaso Reato (Femi Cz Rovigo), Michele Rizzo (Carrera Petrarca Padova), Kaine Robertson (Montepaschi Viadana), Ignacio Rouyet (Montepaschi Viadana), Josh Sole (Montepaschi Viadana) and Alessandro Zanni (Cammi Calvisano).

- SAPA