Beware Azzurri’s backbone

IF the current spin whirling around this Sunday’s World Cup clash is to believed, Italy’s backline will be standing around twiddling their thumbs under the Otago Stadium roof while their pack goes about the business of trying to arm wrestle Ireland into submission.

Such is the pride taken by the Azzurri in their scrummaging prowess, you would almost imagine Italy backs coach Alessandro Troncon had the least demanding coaching job in the tournament ahead of this Pool C finale, a must-win game for both sides.

“Leave it to Martin Castrogiovanni, Sergio Parisse and the rest of the heavyweight pack in blue to get the job done,” you could hear old scrum-half Tronky being told by head coach Nick Mallett, “these boys have what it takes to get us to a first quarter-final in our history.”