Rugby, Crowley leaves the Italy bench after the World Cup: “I would have liked to stay”

Four years ago the farewell of Conor O’Shea came in the middle of the World Cup in Japan. The blue group didn’t take it very well. This time it was to remain a well-kept secret, but the unexpected leak – Gonzalo QuesadaArgentinian, Italy’s next coach after the autumn World Cup – forced the Fir to make everything official well in advance, so as not to destabilize the environment. At least, hopefully. At the end of the World Cup scheduled in France from September to October, Kieran Crowley (62) will leave his position as technical commissioner. The name of the successor will be formally communicated tomorrow, but everyone already knows him.

Six victories and 13 defeats, his balance sheet

The New Zealand coach had taken over the South African in September 2021 Franco Smithin turn taking over from the Irish O’Shea: with the stately Kieran, Italy won 6 matches and lost 13. Two historic successes: the one over Wales in Cardiff in the 2022 Six Nations, and the other Florence, on Australia, in a 2022 test match. Crowley never learned to speak Italian – or at least, he never publicly proved it -, despite repeated invitations from Marzio InnocentiFir president. He launched on the international scene Ange Capuozzo (discovered in France by Fabio Roselli), Simone Gesi and other guys, rejecting the return for the world championship competition of Sergio Parisse. The coach, who had led Canada in the 2015 World Cup, in the past had already ended his relationship with Benetton Treviso quite abruptly, after 5 seasons.

Innocenti: “He made our boys men”

Words of thanks from Innocenti: “Today, that we have decided to end the relationship with Crowley after the next World Cup, it is time to take stock. And Kieran’s with Italian rugby is very positive. He raised a group of boys making them become men and players of high international level, and for this we will be eternally grateful to him.But our work together is not finished yet, we have one exciting adventure left to live in France next September and I am sure that he and his team will leave the their indelible mark on the history of Italian rugby”.

Crowley’s regrets: ‘I wish I could have stayed’

There is deep regret in the coach’s comment: “I would have liked to have been involved with the national team also for the next cycle of the World Cup, I’m sorry for Fir’s choice not to extend my contract. We have a young team, which has developed good experience over the last year, with performances showing improvements in so many areas. We have changed the way we train in the gym and on the pitch, and the way we approach and play matches. We have changed the mentality, instilling courage and confidence in one’s abilities, without constraints. With a world championship and another 4 years of international meetings, we will have a group with an average attendance of 50-60, an exciting prospect. Unfortunately I won’t be part of this journey”.