6N Countdown: TOL's Team-By-Team Guide Part 4 – Italy … according to 'the exiled coach'
Yesterday at 07:24 AM
IN a quest to really get under the skin of the six competing teams, to understand their strengths and weakness, what drives them and what particular challenges they will face in this championship, Iain Morrison has spoken to six individuals with a unique insight to the country they have, through one route or another, come to call home.
Calum ‘Kitty’ MacRae is currently defensive coach for Benetton in the URC having previously worked with Edinburgh. He was assistant at the Falcons but came to prominence when leading Scotland 7s to two titles, both at Twickenham. While organising Benetton's defence MacRae has seen the Italian club progress to two Challenge Cup semi-finals, get to the quarter-finals of the URC, and also the last 16 of the Champions Cup. He lives in Treviso with his family. His younger son Rian (2) was born there, while elder son Bran (6) is fluent in Italian and advises dad on his, somewhat erratic, accent.
Italia
1. What is it about Gonzalo Quesada that chimed with the Italian squad because good coaches have come and gone without making the same impact as the Argie?
“Gonzalo has added a level of game balance to the Italian team. It's in their DNA as a nation to play fast open rugby. That’s when they play at their best, with the latin passion, and they energise off the crowd's reaction to that attacking game. Where he has added value is a kick pressure game out of their own half. Previously, Italy had run the ball from everywhere in successive campaigns and teams were starting to find ways of applying pressure to that approach. He clearly promotes attacking rugby but not at all cost.”
2. How does Quesada back up last season’s brilliant results with two wins (Wales/Scotland) and a draw with France!?
“By taking it one game at a time and focusing on the process. Every game poses a different challenge and keeping the guys focussed on the 80 minutes ahead of them is very important to get the best out of them. Sounds boring but it's that simple.”
3. As a defensive guru for Benetton, how do Italy manage their defence and how would you do things any differently if you were the boss?
“I get the benefit of working with the guys throughout the season and they have developed a confidence in their defence. If they can increase their line-speed at times, taking more time and space off opposition, that generally forces more errors and creates more turnover opportunities. The Benetton guys are very fast on turnover attack so if they can create more of these turnovers you will see another strength of theirs coming into play – other guys in the backs like (Ange) Capuozzo and (Monty) Ioane will only add quality to this.”
4. Italy seems a little like Scotland, with a middleweight but skilful pack and a dangerous set of backs … discuss?
“Italy are a good scrummaging side and that is where they will look to apply pressure. (Marco) Riccioni and (Simone) Ferrari are a great combination to have and can go after teams there.”
5. Where is the beating heart of this Italy team … that excellent midfield?
“The midfield is a big point of difference for Italy. Nacho Brex is the axis of the team and a lot of their fast ball play moving opposition defences is centred around him. He organises well and plays flat to the line creating space for the guys around him. Add Tommi Menoncello's power game to that and they have a brilliant balance to the threat they pose together.
“As mentioned above, Italy will also look to go after teams at scrum-time to gain dominance, win penalties and gain field position.
“If the game breaks up (flanker) Manuel Zuliani is one of the best broken play players for winning turnovers I've worked with, he reads play brilliantly and if opposition are slow to support ball-carriers he will pounce.
“Add Michele Lamaro's fire and passion that rubs off on the guys around him, he's the real 'Generalissimo' of the group.”
6. Italy never seems overawed by Scotland in a way that they may be by, say, even an ordinary England team … why is that?
“You create belief by speaking about things you have done and because Italy have beaten Scotland previously they know they can win if they perform. The age-grade is also where that starts. Italy age–grades are used to winning regularly and that creates belief on the bigger stage.”
7. Italy has a lot of Benetton players (how many?) but then Ireland is based heavily on Leinster, France rely on Toulouse and Scotland look to Glasgow, so perhaps there are benefits to picking from one dominant team?
“There are 18 Benetton players currently in the wider Italian squad. Having a group of players so used to playing together helps with the cohesion of the group, and with combinations playing together week to week that gives them confidence. If you have such a close relationship with your team-mates from your club, in the dogfight games you are going to go to those dark places for such a close group.”
8. Finally, can I ask you to rank the teams one to six in the order you expect them to finish the Championship?
France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Italy
Wales
Italy visit Murrayfield on Saturday to take in Scotland in round one of this year’s Six Nations, kick-off time 2.15pm, live on BBC.
- You can book your Six Nations hospitality and VIP tickets with Seat Unique HERE, an Official Hospitality Partner of The Murrayfield Experience
6N Countdown: TOL's Team-By-Team Guide Part 3 – Scotland … according to 'the club stalwart'
The post 6N Countdown: TOL's Team-By-Team Guide Part 4 – Italy … according to 'the exiled coach' appeared first on Scottish Rugby News from The Offside Line.
