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Preview: Italy v Romania

Berbizier shows his troops how it should be done

Italy know that the only way is up when they take on Romania in Marseille on Wednesday in their second Pool C clash of the tournament.

Going into the tournament hopes were high for the Azzurri, that was until the All Blacks destroyed the meticulous planning of Pierre Berbizier in such an emphatic manner that it is a wonder they emerged with any positives.

As it was, the Italian scrum held firm for the best part of the game, and their line-out operated with efficiency. Berbizier will be looking to use these building blocks to produce a more tangible performance at the second time of asking.

With only four days in between their opening two games Italy would be forgiven for feeling slightly aggrieved with the schedule. After all the likes of New Zealand are afforded a week between their pool games. However, such was the nature of their opening defeat Berbizier and his men will be glad of the quick turn around, as they look to rectify the damage inflicted upon them.

It wont be easy for Italy though, Romania are no mugs and will look to compound the misery already dished out to their opponents. With the entire pack based in France on a permanent basis it will come as no surprise that they will look to neutralise Italy in the tight exchanges.

After all they have the firepower to match their more illustrious opponents up front, but what they lack is quality in their back line. That won't stop them taking Italy on though, and the performances of the other so-called lesser sides in the opening round will give them added confidence.

The main concern for both sides, and perhaps more so Italy, will be the fact Tony Spreadbury is in charge. It is no secret that France were outraged at the way he handled the opening game, and that was not just a case of sour grapes. If he allows the repeated offsides in this game it could soon descend into a farce.

Romania, and their evergreen centre Romeo Gontineac, have set their sights on two wins and a third place finish in the pool. This may be slightly optimistic but if they are to achieve that goal there is no better time to play Italy than now.

On the other hand, Italy need to bounce back with a statement of intent if they are to be taken seriously as quarter-final candidates. Anything less here and sadly the Azzurri will again be heading home early.

Ones to watch:

For Italy: We knew there would be changes in the Italy side, but one came as more of a surprise than the rest. The decision to drop Alessandro Troncon to the bench leaves a huge onus on Paul Griffen. He will need to control the game from the start and ensure, along with Ramiro Pez, Italy play the game in the right areas. If they can do this then Italy should be able to pull away with this one.

For Romania: If Romania are to cause an upset and all but knock Italy out of the World Cup they will need a monumental effort from their pack. Ovidiu Tonita will be the key man here. He is a powerful ball carrier and will need to be at his best to keep his side on the front foot when they have the ball. If he can do that then his pack will follow.

Head to head: The clash of an old head against a young buck, Romeo Gontineac and Mirco Bergamasco. Gontineac, now in his fourth World Cup, has a shed full of experience and will look to expose his younger opponent. That is not to say Bergamasco is a weak link, he may be one of the younger members of this Italian side but he is full of guile and heart and will not take a backward step.

Recent results:

2004: Romania won 25-24, Bucharest
2002: Italy won 25-17, Parma
2000: Italy won 37-17, Benevento
1994: Italy won 24-6, Catania
1990: Italy won 29-21, Padua
1967: Romania won 24-3, Bucharest
1966: Italy won 3-0, L'Aquila
1962: Romania won 14-6, Bucharest
1958: Italy won 6-3, Catania
1953: Italy won 16-14, Bucharest
1936: Italy won 8-7, Berlin

Prediction: The key for Italy is patience. The points will not flow from the start but if they apply themselves and build into the game eventually Romania will tire and drop off. Italy by 16.

The teams:

Italy: 15 David Bortolussi, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Mirco Bergamasco, 11 Marko Stanojevic, 10 Ramiro Pez, 9 Paul Griffen, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Santiago Dellape', 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 1 Andrea lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Valerio Bernabo', 19 Manoa Vosawai, 20 Alessandro Troncon, 21 Ezio Galon, 22 Roland de Marigny.

Romania: 15 Iulian Dumitras, 14 Catalin Fercu, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Romeo Gontineac, 11 Gabriel Brezoianu, 10 Ionut Dimofte, 9 Lucian Sirbu, 8 Ovidiu Tonita, 7 Alexandru Manta, 6 Florin Corodeanu, 5 Cristian Petre, 4 Sorin Socol (c), 3 Bogdan Balan, 2 Marius Tincu, 1 Petrisor Toderasc.
Replacements: 16 Razvan Mavrodin, 17 Cezar Popescu, 18 Cosmin Ratiu, 19 Alexandru Tudori, 20 Valentin Calafeteanu, 21 Ionut Tofan, 22 Dan Vlad.

Date: Wednesday September, 12
Venue: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille
Kick-off: 18:00 (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Tony Spreadbury
Touch judges: Bryce Lawrence, Lyndon Bray
Television match official: Kelvin Deaker
Assessor: Tappe Henning

By Marcus Leach