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Italy faces steep learning curve
Posted: Friday February 04, 2000 12:31 PM
After a World Cup campaign which, as far as the Northern Hemisphere was concerned, left all but the French dreaming of what might have been, a new look for an old championship is just what northern hemisphere rugby needs right now. The addition of Italy to the Five Nations championship, which turns it into the Six Nations from this season onwards, may not have increased the quality of play, but it does provide another layer of interest for a tournament between what is basically Rugby Union's second string. It's 90 years since England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales last accepted an overseas challenger, when they allowed France to enter the fray in 1910. And while it took the French another 49 years to put their name on the trophy as outright winners, the contrast between their famous Gallic flair and the more pragmatic tendencies of the Brits has continued to create a compelling spectacle. So what of the Italians? Well, after a dismal World Cup, in which their three straight losses saw them concede 196 points and score only 35, their potential as even a viable underdog has been severely undermined. Instead, the promise the Italians showed as they made their case for inclusion in the Six Nations, has now been replaced by an air of uncertainty throughout the team. That, combined with the inevitable distractions that have accompanied their debut preparation, having created a problem for new coach, Brad Johnstone, which the New Zealander has yet to properly solve.
"The players have the ability," he says. "They're skilled, they're fit and strong, but at the moment they're not very confident in their own ability. They have many people creating problems for them, and they are preoccupied with other things. So at the moment I'm trying to change that situation and get the players to enjoy themselves and become a family where they play for each other." Cohesion of course is a key factor in any team's success, as France proved in their all for one and one for all defeat of the mighty New Zealand All Blacks in the World Cup semi-finals. However, it's a quality that has to be earned. And while the Italians have stayed faithful to 90 per cent of their World Cup squad, it may be too early to expect the required solidarity if, and when, the going gets tough in the 6-nations. For better or worse of course, the acid test may well come in Saturday's opening game, when Italy takes on the tournament's defending champions, Scotland, in Rome. Scotland too had a World Cup to forget. But after losing to Italy in a friendly two years ago, they'll be twice shy about letting down their guard again. A fact, Brad Johnstone appreciates. "It's obviously going to be very hard," he said. "Scotland are the champions of the Five Nations last year. But in saying that, it's at home, it's a big opportunity for Italian rugby. It's wonderful that we're in the competition, and I think many of the opposition believe Italy is going to be easy and that is to our advantage" Complacency is a dangerous thing, but then so is pedigree and experience. And it's fair to say that barring a miracle, Italy's learning curve throughout the upcoming championship may well be a steep one.
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