Ghiraldini calls on young guns to step up
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:02
Italy skipper Leonardo Ghiraldini believes that Italy should approach their Test match against the Springboks at Newlands by focussing on their own gameplan.
Ghiraldini spoke to rugby365.com on Friday after his Italy team completed their Captain's Run at Newlands, where the visitors put the finishing touches on their match preparations under the watchful eye of coach Nick Mallett.
The Italians will be heavy underdogs for Saturday's Test against the World Cup holders, but the onus still rests on the Italian squad to be competitive.
Coach Mallett is not the kind of man to accept a capitulation, despite the fact that Italy are missing many key personnel.
Ghiraldini revealed that his charges have been preparing well for the match, and that they will do everything they can to execute their gameplan against the Boks.
"For us it's important to concentrate on our game," said the hooker.
"We've been training hard last week and this week, so it's important for us to approach this match with confidence, to attack and to do our work, and play our own game.
"We will see how South Africa play, but we have to [approach] the match as we would with any other game. Every international rugby match is a difficult game, and this one will be the same."
The skipper also stated that even though Italy were given a very tough assignment on their summer tour, they were relishing the occasion of playing against such illustrious opponents, and were keen to learn from the experience.
"It's a great pleasure for us to play against the world champions," said Ghiraldini.
"It is important for the youngsters to show that they can perform well, and that they can work together to compete at international level.
"We will be playing against South Africa and also against Argentina [on this tour], two teams that are very strong, ranked first and third in the world. We will try and apply ourselves, and try to compete."
Ghiraldini, who has 11 caps behind his name, felt that Italy's best chance of competing successfully with the Springboks was with their tight five.
"I think the Italian scrum is very strong, and very good.
"It is an opportunity for the other props to play against a team as strong as South Africa. All the players here are good enough to play in the international team," he said.
The Italy team are of course missing the services of many of their international regulars, and Mallett has been forced into fielding four Test debutantes in his matchday squad.
Young Aussie Luke McLean gets his first Test start at flyhalf, while Gonzalo Garcia debuts at inside centre. The other two newcomers are replacement prop Ignacio Rouyet and replacement utility back Riccardo Pavan.
Ghiraldini agreed that his senior players have assisted the new lads as much as possible, but that in the cauldron of Test rugby, there was nowhere to hide, and it was time for the youngsters to prove that they belonged in the arena.
"In international matches, players have to prove that they are confident, and they need to [bring their experience to the fore]. It is important for the veteran players to help the [youngsters] cope in the team.
"Unfortunately you can't always help the [inexperienced players]. Once the match starts, everyone has to do their work and play rugby," said Ghiraldini.
By Phil Coetzer
