Italy throws McLean to the wolves
Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:19
Supporting the underdog: A loyal Italian fan
On Saturday, Luke McLean's wildest dreams will come true when he lines up for Italy against South Africa in a one-off Test at Newlands.
He will not only play his first Test match, but will be doing so in the crucial position of flyhalf against the current world champions.
And what's more, he will be doing this in their backyard.
On Wednesday, when Italian coach Nick Mallett announced his team for the one-off Test against the Boks, he chose four uncapped players for the match.
McLean was named at pivot, which left most of the media contingent with raised eyebrows and blank expressions on their faces, many frantically paging through their media guides to find out just who this guy is.
Mallett stated that he was looking for a new pivot for his Italy team for the next World Cup, which meant he had over three years to find his perfect 10.
McLean will be the first to audition for the spot, but the young Australian, who qualifies to play for Italy through his Italian mother, told rugby365.com that he is looking forward to the experience.
"You've got to start somewhere, and if it's against the Boks, it's against the Boks I guess," he said wryly.
"I'm definitely excited, a little bit cautious as well. I don't really know what to expect as I've never played at this level."
It is clear that Saturday would represent the biggest day in McLean's sporting career. His rise from the obscurity of club rugby to Test player has happened in a very short space of time indeed, as he explains.
"I spent almost my entire life in Brisbane, and played all my rugby there until November last year. I then moved over to Italy, to play for Calvisano, and I'm here [playing for Italy] now," said McLean.
"We've been trying to work on some moves and some patterns, and it's been a good trip thus far. Hopefully on Saturday we can put what we've practiced into work, and hopefully put up a good performance."
The young Aussie, who qualifies to play for Italy through his mother, usually plays at fullback, but will be filling the role of flyhalf in his Test debut.
"I played flyhalf in Australia. I played all my juniors at five-eighth [flyhalf], and then changed to fullback.
"I spent the whole year playing at No.15, so playing at No.10 will be a bit different, but Nick's made it quite easy for myself," said a nervous McLean.
"He's simplified everything, so that's really good. Hopefully we can go out on the weekend and just go out and play some simple footy to start with, and for myself, in those first ten minutes not knowing what to expect - hopefully I can just find my feet, and from there, perhaps try to play some expansive rugby, and obviously take it to the Springboks."
It is well-known that this young Italian squad are missing some of their star players, and as a result have to cope with a lack of experience in certain positions.
But McLean, a former Australia Under-19 player, felt that the team management have done their best to protect him in his first Test outing.
"Gonzalo is our No.12. It's his first cap as well, but I've spent the entire year playing with him at Calvisano, my club team, so that's good.
"Our No.9 [Simon Picone] has a few caps, and our No.13 [Andrea Masi] has about 40 caps. Obviously our fullback [Andrea Marcato] has played Six Nations, and the wingers [Kaine Robertson and Matteo Pratichetti] have played Six Nations as well.
"Those players are looking after me, they're talking to me a lot, trying to make my job easier. So they're helping me out a lot, and obviously helping out [fellow debutant] Gonzo as well," revealed McLean.
He also said that Italy coach Mallett's intimate knowledge of the Springbok mentality and structure has been a instrumental in preparing the Italian newcomers for their baptism of fire.
"Nick called me probably three or four weeks ago and said that he was thinking about playing me at ten against the Springboks, and [told us] 'this is what's going to happen, they're going to bash you'.
"Nick's been very good explaining to the boys through video analysis how they play, and what we can expect, so that's been a big help for the young fellas."
When asked about what he could expect from the Boks on Saturday, the young pivot was under no illusions.
"Playing the Springboks is a huge challenge. Playing a Test match is always a challenge, let alone the Springboks in South Africa. It's probably the toughest task you could ever ask for.
"So I guess you could take it as a negative or a positive. For me, I it's big positive to try and test myself, and see what level I've got to get to.
"They're obviously a very confrontational team. They try to physically dominate you in defence.
"In attack, the No.10 and the centres, they try to bash you. They also have a really big forward pack, so obviously you can't take a backwards step, and you can't let them do that to you all day, so you have to try and push up and meet them, and try and give them some of their own medicine I guess.
"But I'm expecting an expansive game from the Boks."
One can only imagine the anxiety and excitement a young player must go through ahead of such a daunting Test debut. But McLean states that he is ready for action, and itching to get out on the field and do his best.
"Right now I just want to get out there and see what the Springboks do, and try and improve my play to try and match them."
By Phil Coetzer
