It's the day of truth. The day awaited a career, perhaps a life. They will be there 20,30pm in Dunedin, on the other side of the world, on a cool New Zealand early spring evening, when the Italian national rugby team will take the field against Ireland. To finally give life to his sporting "spring": a flowering expected for almost a generation, 24 years of World Cups and never a qualification for the quarterfinals, among the magnificent 8 of the oval planet.
Sergio Parisse, the captain, takes on the role of gladiator: "If we don't have motivation for this match, we will never have any more". Instead, the sentimental coach Nick Mallett, at a crossroads: the one against the Irish could be his last, sad game or an opportunity to make history: "these guys have been my Italian family and when a parent leaves a child, the moment of separation is always difficult" . Whatever happens, Mallett will leave after these World Cups: he has already been replaced by the Federation with the Frenchman Brunel. But before that, he proudly recalls: “” We have the same chance as Ireland of going through and that can only make me proud ”.
But the challenge of challenges is not only awaited by the protagonists on the field: in Italy it will be 9,30 in the morning on Sunday 2 October when millions of fans will be glued in front of the TV. Yes, because in spite of the football audiences, this team full of heart, grit and sacrifice has been able to conquer the passion and interest of the Italians year after year, despite the numerous defeats. Who more and more identify with these 15 incorrigible boys who do not resign themselves to challenging the giants of rugby, despite the fact that tradition and results continue to be adverse. It is Italy that loses but fights, that does not win but that grows and asserts itself and is respected. The Italy that is liked abroad – the press and fans of other countries dote on Castrogiovanni and his companions – and that never makes you "ashamed" of being Italian.
An Italy with a very high head, whoever it goes, as Mallett said, will have come to play the last game on an equal footing with their opponents: with the same credentials, the same conviction and the same chance of winning. But this time, in addition to the compliments, there really is an opportunity to write a page of history.
That's what everyone thinks: staff, fans, press (which is highlighting the event as never before) e sponsor themselves. Never before have they too believed in this beloved but still not very widespread sport. These are quite a few companies, both Italian and foreign, which have invested and believed in the blue 15: Cariparma-Credit Agricole as main sponsor, then Kappa, Edison, Reale Mutua Assicurazioni, Technogym, Birra Peroni, Hyundai, to name a few, as well as La7 and Sky as media partners. Even the Scots of Glen Grant, founding fathers of the sport (just like the Irish), saw something in Italy. Who loses pay for drinks?
La training from Italy: Masi; Welcome, Channel, Garcia, Mi. Bergamo; Orquera, Semenzato; Parisse (cap.), Ma. Bergamasco, Zanni; Van Zyl, Geldenhuys; Castrogiovanni, Ghiraldini, Perugini. (Subs: Ongaro, Lo Cicero, Bortolami, Derbyshire, Gori, Bocchino, McLean).
The situation in the group C: Ireland 13, Australia and Italy 10, USA 4, Russia 1. Victory is worth 4 points. The first two pass. Australia will have no problems against Russia, while Italy must beat Ireland to leapfrog them
