Italy sent a warning to the other 13 nations that they aren’t here to just make up the numbers by defeating England 15-14 in a warm up match for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup.
This is the first time that the Azzurri have qualified for the tournament and coach Carlo Napolitano has selected a squad intent on making an impact in their RLWC debut.
Italy
RLIF World Ranking: 13
Best Result: First appearance at World Cup
2008 Finish: Did not qualify
2013 RLWC Odds: $101
The Italian rugby league team first started playing Test matches in the 1950s.
Some big matches were played against France, England and Australia in which Italy tasted heavy defeats and interest declined.
In the latter part of the 1960s, threats were made by Italy’s rugby union federation to ban anyone who played rugby league from taking part in the other code.
Similar to the situation in France, this in effect caused the game to disappear off the sporting landscape.
The Italian side wasn’t revived until the mid-1990s and they started playing competitive matches against other international sides from 2000 onwards including failed World Cup qualifying campaigns for the past two RLWC tournaments.
The domestic competition was formed in 2008 which now has eight clubs competing for the title of Champions of Italy.
After the formation of the domestic competition, The Azzurri was officially recognised as a ranked Test playing nation in 2009 when they took part in the European Cup.
The Italians struggled with the step up and were absolutely hammered by Scotland and Lebanon.
12 months later they were much more competitive against the Lebanese side and in 2011, the two played off for the final spot in the 2013 World Cup.
A field goal in the 78th minute meant that Italy was going to make its debut at the RLWC in 2013.
Being led by Anthony Minichello who is the current NRL premiership winning captain, The Azzurri has assembled a squad that will be more than competitive in this year’s tournament.
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Anthony Minichello (c)
2. Josh Mantellato
3. James Tedesco
4. Aiden Guerra
5. James Saltonstall
6. Ben Falcone
7. Ryan Ghietti
8. Kade Snowden
9. Dean Parata
10. Anthony Laffranchi
11. Mark Minichello
12. Cameron Ciraldo
13. Joel Riethmuller
14. Paul Vaughan
15. Brendan Santi
16. Gavin Hiscox
17. Raymond Nasso
Squad Members: Tim McCann, Christophe Calegari, Chris Centrone, Gioele Celerino, Fabrizio Ciaurro, Sam Gardel, Ryan Tramonte
The Azzurri will take the field with an NRL experienced pack.
An impressive front row that will see Kade Snowden and Anthony Laffranchi start the game and Paul Vaughan coming off the bench.
The Back row contains a fair amount of class as well with 2013 premiership winner Aiden Guerra moved to the centres to accommodate the likes of Ciraldo, Riethmuller and Mark Minichello.
Carlo Napolitano also has some skill and pace on the outside edges with Tedesco and Mantellato together on one side.
The spine presents the only weakness for Italy with untested players occupying the key spots apart from the fullback and captain, Anthony Minichello.
Key Player
The skipper of the side fresh off an NRL premiership victory will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
Mini had an outstanding season at the back for the Roosters and has been an integral part of the Italian side over the past few seasons having helped them qualify for the World Cup.
‘The Count’ will be hoping to bring not only the side’s current momentum but also his own form into the tournament.
The former Golden Boot winner as best player in the world in 2005, showed glimpses of the form that won him the prestigious award through the 2013 NRL season for the Roosters.
If he can continue that form and instil his competitiveness into the squad, Italy will pose a danger to most sides.
Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Wales @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Kick Off – Sun 27th Oct 2:30am AEDT
Vs Scotland @ Derwent Park, Workington Kick Off – Mon fourth Nov 3am AEDT
Vs Tonga @ The Shay, Halifax Kick Off – Mon 11th Nov 3am AEDT
Key Match
It won’t get much bigger than a match in front of an expected crowd of 60,000 under a closed roof at the Millennium stadium against Wales.
This match will generate an atmosphere that very few personnel have experienced in both teams.
The enormity of the match is huge for Wales and Italy with both sides intent on starting their campaigns with a win which should ensure we see a terrific game.
The Azzurri’s confidence will sky rocket if they can back up their win against England with a victory against the Welsh.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
For a side making their debut at the World Cup, very few would have given the Italians any chance of winning a game let alone progressing further than the group stages.
I think Italy have a side that can top Group C and set themselves up for a quarter final clash.
The match against Wales will be telling in regards to whether that is achievable or not as there are no easy games for the Azzurri.
Scotland and Tonga will certainly provide great contests in Group C and this pool may produce some of the best matches of the tournament with only the top placed team progressing to the knock-out stage.
If Italy does manage to top their pool it will certainly be classed as a dream World Cup debut.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
No, definitely Socialism, which is/was a very different kettle of fish to National Socialism. Apparently League was associated with France's pre-war Socialist government but I'm no student of that era so couldn't begin to tell you why that was the case, maybe because it was seen as very much a working man's game? There's a good article here, written just prior to the 2007 RWC, that details what happened to League in France: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/badge-of-dishonour-french-rugbys-shameful-secret-401557.html
Renegade
Roar Guru
I''m not sure if you actually bothered reading them but its a preview of the upcoming World Cup not an investigation into how the game is going in South Africa.
Beer And Trembling
Guest
I don't mind the Australian Italian team too much. Let's not forget that the sport was absolutely unheard of in Lebanon before an Australian Lebanese team was formed to play matches. Now there is a local competition in Lebanon. The sport really is helped by these teams, it just takes a while before the local games get strong enough to justify fielding a primarily local team. EDIT: As it happens, there is an article about that on The Roar just now: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/10/22/lebanese-rugby-league-continues-to-grow/
Ed Norton
Guest
Kade Snowden doesn't sound like an Italian name. How about; Kadino Snowdentio
Bozo
Guest
So, no mention of the split in Italian League? All these pieces have basically been fluff without much comment about the game in these areas. Italy split, USA split, Ireland, 20 team comp 2 years ago down to 15 this season. Only just formally recognised in Northern Ireland and still not recognised in South Africa. Yep, league truly is taking the world by storm, what a joke. The 'world cup' is made up of 280 players from core countries over 80%. Yes Italy will be strong, but this is meaningless if they are all Australians. This code needs a shakeup before it turns into a global laughing stock.
In Brief
Guest
Perhaps you meant communism? The Nazis were national socialists.
Maroon Blood
Guest
Italian coach Carlo Napolitano was asked how he gets his team motivated for a game....."Ice Cream at them!!"
oikee
Guest
Yes, only Saturday nights, i will tape the rest of the games if they come on late or be up early during the week to watch the rest mid-week. As i said the other day, the Island teams will be going hammer and tongs to make next years four nations, so it will be a cracking contest. That was a smart move, get the islanders edgy. Kangaroos and Wales to win Saturday night.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Oikee, Are you planning an all-nighter on Saturday night?
oikee
Guest
Italy will be hard to beat in their pool. I still think Wales should go through. This first match Saturday night is going to now be a ripper. The strength behind this Italy side is the guys who play week-in week-out in the Queensland cup. Defence wins games and these players are the glue holding Italy together, the only problem will be points. Wales on the other hand have the home crowd behind them. This is why i think Wales can progress. Still, how good is this, Italy will surely now want to keep their spot in future world cups, with Anthony Minichello on the coaching staff. Well done Italy, still hard to believe they beat the Poms. Ambushed or not, a wake-up call, nothing comes cheap.
Renegade
Guest
I don't know about Snowmen ;) however Kade Snowden's mother is Italian.
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
MM, you're thinking of Volata - a curious mixture of handball and football. Mussolini first embraced rugby (of the union variety), but then found the sport, and its players and administrators, rather resistant to his authority. He was also apparently not too enamoured of rugby's Anglo origins and attempted to suggest that it had evolved from the Roman sport of Harpastum. I'm not sure if the Fascists would have looked too kindly upon League though, the Nazis in Vichy France banned the sport outright (encouraging Union instead), and actively victimised players. Apparently they associated the sport with Socialism, and thought it corrupted the young.
Magic Sponge
Guest
Snowmen? Does he qualify cause he likes pizza
MidfieldMaestro
Guest
I often wonder what could have been for rugby league in Italy after the war. Rugby union was banned by Mussolini in favour of a local game, I can't remember the name of it, somebody may be able to help me and there was an opening for rugby league but from what I've read the support was minor and it just faded away.