Mauro Perizzolo will lead Canada's pack against Italy
19 APRIL 2007
By Jeremy Inson
Canada prop Mauro Perizzolo knows his family will be firmly behind his team when they play in the Division B final at the IRB Under 19 World Championship on Friday, but understands if part of them will be behind opponents Italy.
Perizzolo’s father was born in the rugby-mad Treviso area of north east Italy, as where his mother’s parents, but he has no doubt who they will be supporting on Friday.
“I was talking to him on Easter Sunday and he was rooting us on. Obviously he is going to be cheering for Canada, but he’s going to be a little broken hearted if we beat Italy,” Perizzolo said.
Playing the country with which he has so many links in the final is something that Perizzolo is looking forward to immensely.
“Obviously I am Canadian and will always be Canadian, but coming from an Italian background it will be an exciting game playing the guys my age from Italy. It is going to be an exciting game and a lot of fun.”
Italy forwards
As pack leader Perizzolo realises that he will play a major role taking on the Italy forwards, but is confident of his team’s chances.
“We played really well against Georgia and I think if we continue the same growth rate as we have been we can step up to the ball with them. We have everything going for us. We have all the tools going. We just need to be 100 percent focused in this game."
Luca Martinelli is hoping he and his Italy teammates can continue the momentum that Italian rugby has developed in 2007 after the success of the Test team in the Six Nations Championship.
As scrum half it comes as no surprise that it is Alessandro Troncon who is the 18 year-old’s hero.
“Troncon inspired me because of his confidence and the confidence that he gives to the team. With his confidence and experience he really helped the Italian team,” Martinelli said.
Four wins in four
So far Italy have been the dominant force in Division B, having won four games out of four and scored 133 points on their way to the final. Martinelli is quick to recognise the qualities behind this success.
“What makes this team so good is our power and Italian spirit. We are very proud of our nation and our shirt, so this makes us really strong inside and outside,” he said.
With Canada standing in Italy’s way of a clean sweep, the Benevento player knows the fifth win will not come easily.
“We have worked hard to reach our aim, so we are a little tense. But we are confident even though we know it will be a hard game,” Martinelli said.
Canada coach Gary Johnston has been pleased with his team’s development at the tournament, but he has two major absences for the final.
“Sean White is an outstanding player and captain who will not be available against Italy and Matt Evans, our most experienced player from Dubai is not available for the final,” Johnston said.
I am Canadian and will always be Canadian, but coming from an Italian background it will be an exciting game.
Canada prop Mauro Perizzolo
New team leaders
However he has been pleased by the way other players have taken on the responsibility themselves.
“Nathan Hirayama, the new captain, got into his kicking game a little better against Georgia. The big surprise is Thyssen De Goede and his growth curve has been tremendous over here.
“Keegan Selby our openside flanker has just been brilliant. We didn’t expect him to get into that starting spot, but he earned it on merit and no one will take it away from him.”
As well as his own team’s appearance in the Division B final, Johnston is looking forward to watching the Division A final between New Zealand and South Africa on Saturday.
“Everyone’s betting on New Zealand and I’m betting on New Zealand, but the South Africans have come back with a renewed purpose. They’ve got power up front and if anyone can challenge New Zealand the South Africans can. It will be a fantastic final,” Johnston said.
Italian concerns
Johnston’s Italian counterpart Stefano Romagnoli has his own concerns about his team.
“The Italian players are young and don’t have much experience of international matches. Italy want to win and it is a possibility if the team work and think hard about the match.”
Romagnoli believes that their match schedule worked in their favour with games against Chinese Taipei and Chile allowing him to focus on the crunch pool match with Tonga, which they won 8-6 with a last minute Riccardo Bocchino try.
“The team is lucky as it’s first matches with Chinese Taipei and Chile were important for qualification, but I was able to change players to allow the first choice team to concentrate on the important matches with Tonga, USA and now the final,” he said.
Click here to see the squads for the Italy v Canada Division B final.
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