Rugby: 'Ready for All Blacks'
'First 20 minutes crucial,' says Parisse
13 November, 18:13
(ANSA) - Milan, November 13 - Italy captain
Sergio Parisse said Friday the Azzurri were ready to take on the
All Blacks at San Siro on Saturday."We're ready and I've told the lads to give their all," he said.
Parisse said the first 20 minutes would be "crucial" because New Zealand, the world's No.2 team behind world champions South Africa, would want to get off to a flying start.
"If we don't give away too many points the match will be more manageable".
"But in any case we'll have to stay focused until the end because they are opponents who punish the slightest mistake".
Tomorrow's game will be the current Italy side's first game at San Siro and the famous Milan soccer stadium is sold out for the occasion.
"Playing in front of 80,000 fans will be a great responsibility," Parisse said.
"But Italy has great heart and we'll give 110% tomorrow".
Coach Nick Mallett, a former South Africa player and coach, said: "I never saw such a big crowd in South Africa, only a couple of times in France".
He said he wasn't expecting to win but wanted to assess Italy's "desire, courage and aggression".
The last time the sides met, in Christchurch in June, a gutsy Italy lost by just 21 points, 27 to 6.
But they were crushed 76-14 at the last World Cup in 2007.
The All Blacks are not taking the Milan game lightly, replacement captain Rodney So'oialo said.
"We're going to play our best rugby and we're aiming to win," said So'oialo, who has come in for banned fly half Dan Carter.
Only three of the 15 that beat Wales last week will start against Italy, including three new caps.
"But I don't think we're a weak side, we're motivated and well prepared," said the No.8. Saturday's game is the first of three autumn tests leading up to the next Six Nations where Italy is hoping to avoid its umpteenth wooden spoon.
The other tests are against world champions South Africa on November 21 in Udine and against Samoa on November 28 at Ascoli Piceno.
