Giacheri can't see an upset

[travelling_gerry]

Giacheri can't see an upset

Rupert Guinness | November 8, 2008


AUSTRALIAN-BORN Mark Giacheri played 49 Tests for Italy with all the pride and passion he could muster, but not even he will dare forecast an upset between the Wallabies and Azzurri in Padova tomorrow morning, Sydney time.

The closest the former Waratahs second-rower, who coached Randwick to this year's Shute Shield grand final and played for Italy from 1992 to 2003, will go is to declare his belief that the Wallabies will be tested up front.

"It will be close until half-time. The Italians will come out a lot of passion," Giacheri said. "They will be very physical and quite good up front, especially at the set piece. The Australians definitely have the skills on the Italians, but you can't start trying to run around the Italians too early without smashing them up front.

"But the last 20 minutes will be a testing time for the Italians. Once the fatigue sets in, the Wallabies will have a chance to run away with the game."

Giacheri believes the Wallabies' first half against the All Blacks in Hong Kong last Saturday shows they are a side to respect.

"Last week the speed of the ball at the breakdown … it was really quick ball," he said. "The attack looked great in the first half. If they can get that quick ball, they will be hard to beat."

Rupert Guinness


http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/n...561138271.html

[Burgs]

Uh oh, alarm bells!!!

[fulvio sammut]

You've got all bets covered Burgs, what's the worry?