Italy 16 Scotland 12:ITALY COACH Nick Mallett believes his team's triumph over Scotland on Saturday was a just reward for the hard work done by his squad in the last six months.
The Azzurri won for the first time in nearly two years in the Six Nations with a 16-12 victory over Scotland in Rome. The Italians went into the game against the Scots brimming with confidence after impressing in a 17-12 defeat to England in their previous match.
“We have improved our defence consistently over the last six months,” said Mallett. “We have given away just one try in our last two games and that’s not a bad effort considering who we were facing and the holes Italy had in defence in previous campaigns.
“I think our November Tests were crucial for the team to improve.” Mallett believes, after wooden spoon performances in 2008 and 2009, his team is finally showing its true colours.
And he could find no negatives in his side’s performance against Scotland, a game in which the hosts scored a rare try when substitute Pablo Canavosio crossed over in the 67th minute.
“Nothing,” he said. “We won. “We are very satisfied that we managed to hold Scotland. I am very proud of our defence and particularly, proud of the try scored, which was a beautiful play, as we had been working on our attack in recent weeks.
“We’ve shown we can play quick rugby. But it’s not only this game. Our tackles have been great also against Ireland and England.”
Mallett predicted Italy’s Craig Gower would stand out in this tournament and so far, the Australian-born hooker has not disappointed him. “We have found a great number 10 in Gower,” said the coach. “Gower has done a great job, making great tackles and giving a big contribution to the team.”
Mallett says confidence is growing in the Italian camp with Saturday’s victory their seventh of all-time for the Azzurri in the Six Nations.
“This is a completely different feeling when you manage to hold on for a win,” he said. “This is great for the players and great for the squad.”
However, Mallett has warned his players to keep their feet on the ground. “Just because we have beaten Scotland doesn’t mean we think we are better than them,” he said.”
Italy face France next month before ending the tournament in Cardiff against Wales on March 20th.
ITALY:McLean; Masi, Canale, Garcia, M. Bergamasco; Gower, Tebaldi; Perugini, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Geldenhuys, Bortolami, Sole, M. Bergamasco, Zanni. Replacements:Robertson for Garcia (69), Canavosio for Tebaldi (52), Aguero for Perugini (69), Ongaro for Ghiraldini (73), Del Fava for Bortolami (69). Not Used: Derbyshire, Bocchino.
SCOTLAND:Southwell; Danielli, M Evans, Morrison, S Lamont; Parks, Cusiter; Jacobsen, Ford, Murray, Hamilton, Kellock, Brown, Barclay, Beattie. Replacements:De Luca for Danielli (55), Blair for Cusiter (55), Dickinson for Murray (70), Hines for Hamilton (70), Strokosch for Beattie (55). Not Used: S. Lawson, Godman.
Referee:Dave Pearson (RFU).
