The seventh edition of the Rugby World Cup kicks off in the "land of rugby" par excellence, the legendary All Blacks' New Zealand, which sees 20 national teams on the field (including coach Mallett's Italy) from 9 September to 23 October to challenge South Africa for the title, outgoing champion of France 2007.
The theme of the event is always the same, repeated for years now (since 1987, when the "tuttineri" won the first edition), but even more felt this time, as it is played right at home: will the nation traditionally recognized as the strongest, most talented and most admired in the rest of the world, to win the coveted trophy after almost a quarter of a century since the first and only time? The only kabbalistic foothold for the Kiwi national team, in addition to the usual role of favorite (which turns out to be more of a bad luck charm in all editions), is precisely that of the home factor: in 1987, in fact, the event was held in New Zealand (and in Australia).
But in the country where rugby is more important than football in Brazil, where more than a sport it is a religion, a reason for pride and national unity, as well as political importance (remember the government crisis after the "tragic" defeat against France in 2007), this time it's really forbidden to make mistakes.
This time the excuses of bad luck, injuries, even conspiracies (like when in '95 they accused a South African waitress of having poisoned breakfast) won't count.
And this time there's one more reason: in addition to playing at home, the 2010 Christchurch earthquake is a further incentive not to disappoint the fans' expectations, also considering that most of the players come from that city .
In order not to disappoint expectations and keep concentration high, the New Zealand Federation has also imposed an absolute ban for the entire duration of the tournament and for all the staff, to use any form of social network (starting with Facebook), in order to avoid distractions.
Will all this be enough? the bookmakers say yes (as usual, one would say), quoting the all Blacks as absolute favorites at 1,70, ahead of Australia (final victory given to 5), while a success by England champion 2003 and finalist 2007 even pays 13 times the post.
It's Italy? What are the prospects for our national team, which has never made it past the initial round in all the editions played so far?
Also this time, as in 2007, the group consists of an insurmountable match (Australia today, New Zealand 4 years ago), two "feasible" matches (Russia and the United States), and a key match, difficult but not impossible (Ireland), on which to play the qualification for the round of XNUMX, for the first time in our history.
Certainly a more difficult undertaking than the last edition, when the play-off was against Scotland, beaten several times in the 6 Nations, and the Azzurri came really close to the qualification dream. Ireland is decidedly more difficult adversary, never beaten in the 6 nations, even if less insurmountable than in past years, by virtue of an ongoing generational change.
The bookmakers, for now, are merciless: Mallett's national team pass pays 22 times the stake. An undertaking considered particularly difficult, given also the age-old (and not minimized) problem in Italy: the lack of quality players in the two key roles, the scrum-half and the fly-half. The number 9 and number 10, to be clear, roles in the past gloriously covered by champions such as Troncon and Dominguez. Will the very young Semenzato, Gori, Benvenuti and Bocchino be able to measure up? This is the great unknown. While the certainties are, as usual, the scrum and the leadership of champions like Sergio Parisse and the Bergamasco brothers, as well as the growing enthusiasm of a movement that doesn't want to give up, right now that the leap in quality is about to be made .
Meanwhile, two verdicts that will arrive at the end of the World Cup are already certain, however it goes: the farewell of coach Mallett (already replaced in pectore by the French Jacques Brunel) and of the "Baron" Andrea Lo Cicero, historic prop who has reached his fourth participation in a review rainbow. Both hope to "leave" by bringing Italy to the round of 24, but for the final victory both say All Blacks. “Out of sympathy I would say the All Blacks since they have always shown to be a super up-to-date team both in terms of play and technique but, in the end, they haven't been able to win the World Cup for a long time. They have a strong and brilliant team, as always, and this time they play at home, so I wish them with all my heart. They also had the misfortune of the earthquake and I hope even more that they will win to revive the spirits of the country". Words by Andrea Lo Cicero, but which represent the hope of an entire country, XNUMX years later…
