Test Rugby: Pacific Islands v Italy

22.11.2008
Pacific Islands v Italy

Preview
This test match looks an interesting contest. These two teams have never met before. Both teams are looking for their first win in the 'Autumn' series.Only occasionally have the Italans played any of the Pacific Island nations.

The Pacific Islanders have looked well short of a gallop in each of their games. They just haven't had the preperation time the other teams have been allowed.

Italy looked the goods against Australia and then dropped the game against Argentina. The size and grunt of their pack should be enough to hold the Islanders but their backs just can't find the gaps

Prediction: Italy by 14

Teams

Italy
15 Andrea Masi
14 Kaine Robertson
13 Mirco Bergamasco
12 Gonzalo Garcia
11 Matteo Pratichetti
10 Andrea Marcato
9 Pietro Travagli
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt.
7 Mauro Bergamasco
6 Joshua Sole
5 Marco Bortolami
4 Tommaso Reato
3 Carlos Nieto
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini
1 Matias Aguero
Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro
17 Andrea Lo Cicero
18 Salvatore Perugini
19 Alessandro Zanni
20 Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti
21 Luke McLean
22 Riccardo Pavan
Head Coach: Nik Mallett

Pacific Islands
15 Kameli Ratuvou
14 Sailosi Tagicakibau
13 Seilala Mapusua
12 Epi Taione
11 Vilimoni Delasau
10 Seremaia Bai
9 Sililo Martens
8 Sisa Koyamaibole
7 Nili Latu, Capt.
6 Viliami Vaki
5 Paino Hehe
4 Filipo Levi
3 Kisi Pulu
2 Tanielu Fuga
1 Justin Va'a
Replacements
16 Sunia Koto
17 Tonga Lea'aetoa
18 Semisi Naevo
19 Hale T-Pole
20 Mosese Rauluni
21 Seru Rabeni
22 Gavin Williams
Head Coach: Quiddus Fielea