Rugby, for Italy it is forbidden to fail. Against Samoa the first of three truth tests

For Italy of rugby exams never end. After the summer rejection, with the unforgivable Georgian defeat, the Azzurri face the autumn triptych with the awareness that they can no longer fail. Marzio Innocenti, president Fir, asked at least two victories from his boys: it is right to be ambitious, this national team must come out of limbo or surrender to its limits. The historic success in Wales last spring belongs to the past, the movement continues to denounce worrying uncertainties. But November’s opponents on paper are stronger: starting with Samoa, first oval date. It is played on Saturday at the Plebiscito of Padua (2 pm, live Sky Sport Arena and TV8) and the coach Crowley he has to face a couple of last-minute absences (Capuozzo, Padovani): the role of extreme is discovered. Another key position, that of the scrum half, also gives some perplexity. The solution is to wear the number 15 jersey ad Allan, an opening. Varney, a young Welsh-born playmaker who had been sidelined after some disappointing performances in the past Six Nations, will be back on the pitch with number 9.

Lorenzo Cannone, a rookie in the third line

There is also a newcomer in the third line, Lorenzo Cannone. Will it be enough to tame the impetus of the “peaceful” warriors of Samoa, team today in 11th place in the world ranking (the Azzurri are in 15th)? The other meetings of the Autumn Nations Series in November: on Saturday 12th Italy will face theAustralia in Florence, to close a week later in Genoa with the world champions of South Africa.

Crowley: “Samoa, a tough opponent”

“Samoa is an excellent team, made up entirely of athletes who play in major European leagues such as Premiership and Top14 and in Super Rugby,” he explains. Crowley. “They are well trained by a top-notch staff, with coaches themselves coming from the top league in the southern hemisphere, and they will be very physical as the island teams always are. They will want to move the ball, challenge us physically, and we will have to be accurate in our defensive systems and on the meeting points, where they have excellent ball hunters. The key will be to prevent them from giving continuity, momentum to their game, and to maintain control of the pitch. “

Morisi and Brex: “Two decisive centers in defense”

The defense will be decisive: “For this we have chosen two centers of experience and physical substance such as Morisi and Brex, which have the ability to effectively manage our back line. Morisi is doing well to the London Irish, both with the second with the first team, he found motivation and enthusiasm after suffering so many injuries last year and having had little continuity, we are happy to find him again, he is an athlete who enjoys the respect of the whole group “.

Allan extreme. “Waiting for Capuozzo and Padovani”

Extreme Tommaso Allan, a bet? “He played with the Harlequins in the role, with Garbisi representing an interesting option both in attack and in the foot game, being right-footed and Paolo left-handed. We will decide on Capuozzo and Padovani after this weekend, they are the two main choices at the extreme. but Allan guarantees us a further solution, as well as the winger besides Ioane and Bruno, who has played very well so far with the Zebras, we have other guys that we take into consideration. I think of Marin, who joined the XV Selection this week , but also to Federico Mori who is doing well with Bordeaux and to Matteo Minozzi who has just signed with Treviso: he had done a pre-season excellence, expressing his best rugby, then unfortunately he had physical problems and did not find space, but we are curious to see him at work with Benetton and it remains an option of great interest “.

Italy: Allan – Bruno, Brex, Morisi, Ioane – Garbisi, Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Lamaro, Zuliani; Ruzza, Sisi; Ferrari, Nicotera, Fischetti. Available: Lucchesi, Nemer, Ceccarelli, Niccolò Cannone, Halafihi, Albanese, Lucchin, Menoncello.
Samoa: Toala – Leiua, Seuteni, Leuila, Wong – Iona, Enari – Lee, Taufua, McFarland – Vui, Alainuuese – Alaalatoa, Lam, Lay. Available: Leiataua, Leatigaga, Toomaga-Allen, Seu, Gray, Taumateine, Paia’aua, Alosio.
Referee: Ridley (Eng)