Test Rugby: Samoa Visit Italy

28.11.2009
Samoa v Italy in Ascoli

Venue: Stadio Del Duca

Referee: Christophe Berdos (France)

Preview
Samoa and Italy first met during the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. Since then Samoa has had the advantage on the scoreboard.

Italy has lost there charismatic captain and one of their top players, possibly the best number 8 in European rugby. The Italian team will be struggling to fill his place. They will still be a most formidable forward pack for the Samoans to handle. Italy should win the battle there. The Italian backs will be reminded of past encounters with Samoa in which the Islander's bone crunching tackles can cause the odd eye to wander from the ball. It will be tough for both teams but I expect the hosts to win.

Italy will need to work very hard without their regular captain. Image thanks to www.federugby.it/

Previous Encounters
21.11.2001 Samoa 17-9 in L'Aquila
08.07.2000 Samoa 43-24 in Apia
27.05.1995 Samoa 42-18 in East London (World Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Italy 10th, Samoa 12th

Prediction: Italy by 5 points.

Teams

Italy
15 Luke McLean
14 Kaine Robertson
13 Gonzalo Canale
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Mirco Bergamasco
10 Craig Gower
9 Tito Tebaldi
8 Alessandro Zanni
7 Mauro Bergamasco
6 Joshua Sole
5 Quintin Geldenhuys
4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, Capt.
1 Salvatore Perugini
Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro
17 Ignacio Rouyet
18 Antonio Pavanelli
19 Simone Favaro
20 Simon Piccone
21 Riccardo Bocchino
22 Alberto Sgarbi
Head Coach: Nik Mallett

Samoa
15 Titi Esau
14 Henry Fa'fili
13 Gavin Williams
12 Seilala Mapasua
11 David Lemi
10 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
9 Junior Polu
8 Henry Tuilagi
7 Ofisa Treviranus
6 George Stowers, Capt.
5 Kane Thompson
4 Filipo Levi
3 Justin Va'a
2 Mahonri Schwalger
1 Census Johnson
Replacements
16 Andrew Williams
17 Sakaria Taulafo
18 Jonny Fa'amatuainu
19 Misioka Tomoteo
20 Semiperive Semeane
21 Uale Mai
22 Lucky Munipola
Head Coach: Fuimaono Titimaea Tafua

Both teams thanks to www.planetrugby.com