Italy rugby team on cloud nine

heir nail-biting and historic 22-21 victory over France in the Six Nations on Saturday.
The Stade Francais player got one over the land in which he plies his club trade as Italy finally proved for the first time in 12 years that they are a worthy addition to the Six Nations competition.
They came into this game with only seven previous wins in the competition in 58 games and those only against the traditionally weaker teams Scotland (five) and Wales (two).
But having finally broken their duck against France, and not only that but deservedly so in a gritty performance that showed not only Italy’s progress in defensive terms but also a slowly expanding running game, the Azzurri were naturally delighted.
It will also pose a problem for the Italian rugby federation who earlier in the year all but announced that Frenchman Jacques Brunel would be replacing present coach Nick Mallett after the World Cup later this year.
However, that was put firmly to the back of people’s minds at the jubilant post-match Italian press conference.
“What can I say, it doesn’t happen often that I come here to the post-match press conference with a smile,” joked Parisse.
“There are so many emotions, so much joy, it’s a dream to beat France at home but it’s no longer a dream, it’s a reality.
“This group deserves it, they were fantastic but (coach) Nick (Mallett) also deserves it.
“He’s taken so much criticism but now he too enters into our history as the first team to beat France in the Six Nations.”
Parisse admitted that Italy never really expected to beat the French but said that once they saw their opponents’ heads drop, they knew they were in with a shout.
Italy had stayed close to France, trailing only 8-6 at half-time.
But following a converted try from Morgan Parra and a penalty, the visitors to Rome’s Stadio Flaminio seemed to be starting to canter away over the hill.
Instead, Italy hit back with a try from Andrea Masi and three Mirco Bergamasco penalties to snatch victory.
“Of course we always try to win whenever we go onto the pitch but realistically we know that we have a better chance against some teams than others,” said Parisse.
“Deep down normally we didn’t expect to beat France, we thought we had more chance against Ireland or Wales (in their other home matches).
“But before the game I told the players that no-one can stop us dreaming and that we have our destiny in our own hands.
“Even though we won, France are better than us but in rugby when you play with heart and belief, that can be enough.”
Mallett said he knew they could beat the French once they started to come back at them.
“Games are strange, I asked the team to stay close to France in the first half and it was at 8-6, we put them under pressure,” said the 54-year-old former Springbok coach.
“The first 20 minutes of the second half was our worst period of the game because they scored a try and went ahead.
“Teams are always disappointed when they concede a try but when we scored a try against Ireland they went straight after the ball even though there were only three minutes left.
“But with 15 minutes left I saw the French heads were down and I didn’t see this desire to react and manage this game (after Italy’s try).
“I told Sergio we must believe because a team that believes can win.”
Despite losing, Mallett insisted France have not become a bad team over night.
“I still think France have talented individuals and great quality and they could reach the semi-finals at the World Cup this year easily,” he said.
“When they are all concentrating and play with same heart as we showed today, because that was the difference, we were very, very motivated.
“I felt France thought they could win without too much motivation but rugby is a strange game.
“Even if a team is very good, if you don’t have that mental aspect then you can lose something.
“That’s our best match against France but they can do much better than that.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s rugby players woke up yesterday after their historic 22-21 victory over France to find themselves making a rare appearance on the front pages of sport newspapers.
And they were lauded as “heroes” for securing their place in history with a “dream” victory.
La Repubblica opened their sports pages with a two-page spread entitled: “Historic Try”, with a picture of Italy hero and man-of-the-match Andrea Masi bursting through three French tacklers, although it wasn’t the moment he actually crossed the try-line.
“An unforgettable day for Italian rugby at the Flaminio,” it said.
“Reigning champions France beaten and humiliated for the first time in the Six Nations.
“Those who love sport, who are part of a proud minority, know you can wait a lifetime for days like this.”
Italy’s biggest sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport found space on their front page to proclaim: “Historic Italy.”
“At the Flaminio 30 000 fans were in delirium. France beaten in the Six Nations, (coach Nick) Mallett in tears,” it continued.
“History was rewritten in 20 minutes, the last of a game that has already become legend.
“Like never before in the Six Nations, like only Grenoble in 1997, the only win in 31 (sic 32) previous games.”
That last reference was to Italy’s only other victory over the French 14 years ago in a friendly test against the then Grand Slam winners. – AFP.