Kirwan: This is our big game

Italy coach John Kirwan feels tomorrow’s match against Tonga in Canberra will be the turning point for his side’s World Cup campaign.

Kirwan has made 14 changes to his starting line-up after the expected thrashing at the hands of New Zealand in Melbourne on Saturday, and he makes no bones about the importance of the match.

“The game against Tonga is our most important game. It is the most important game in the World Cup for both sides,” said Kirwan, a former All Black winger.

He has recalled captain Alessandro Troncon, centre Christian Stoica, flanker Aaron Persico and the Dallan brothers Manuel and Denis. Winger Nicola Mazzucato is the only survivor from the 70-7 loss to the All Blacks.

He admitted that the decision to rest so many key players in the match against the All Blacks was a decision based on the demanding schedule, which sees the Azzurri playing with just four days’ recovery time.

“We had to decide on the team a month ago given our draw,” said Kirwan.

“We have 15 new players so some will have to remain on the bench. But we are focusing on the game against Tonga and will reassess the make up of the team again on Thursday.”

“We have the strongest possible team for tomorrow. As for style of play, you will have to wait and see.”

The importance of the match against the Pacific Islanders has Kirwan fearing the pressure could disrupt his players’ approach.

“One thing that Italy cannot fall into is the pressure of the game. I want to see the guys out there playing football with smiles on their faces really enjoying this game against Tonga,” he said.

“It has got to be exciting. They have to throw everything at it.

“This team will bring commitment and passion to the game and play a good game of rugby.”

Meanwhile, Tonga are also well aware of the significance of the match, the result of which could go a long way to deciding which team accompanies New Zealand into the quarter-finals. Also in the group are Wales and Canada.

Captain Inoke Afeaki admitted it was nerve-racking having to watch the other teams in the group kick off their campaigns while Tonga have to wait until tomorrow’s match for their first taste of World Cup action.

“Our campaign will be so hard to achieve if we don’t win this game. We will have to throw all our eggs in this nest and focus on winning,” said Afeaki.

“If we don’t our dream of making the quarter-finals goes out the window,” he said.

“We are very anxious, but in saying that the teams that have played already have shown that they are anxious and have rushed things. We need to be controlled in that area.”

The huge lock – he stands an imposing 6ft 6in and weighs 243 pounds – is unhappy that the schedule has left him and his team-mates with very little recovery time after the match.

“Four games in 14 days is very tough. I am concerned with serious injuries due to lack of recovery time and who is responsible for it?”

He was intrigued by what he saw of the Italians against New Zealand, although it was mostly limited to observing their defensive patterns.

“We learnt a lot about Italy. They were defending a lot but we didn’t see much of their attack,” he said, although he was also well aware of the threat they posed going forward.

“When they have the ball they dictate the game and we will have to adjust our defence to what they are trying to achieve,” he said.

“When we have the ball they will have to follow our game plan and dance with us.”

Tongan coach Jim Love has picked openside flanker Ipolito Fenukitau after the International Rugby Board ruled he was eligible despite playing sevens for Australia after playing for Tonga at the World Cup in 1999.

The IRB decided to allow Fenukitau to play as the ruling at the time he represented Australia did not prevent him from reverting back to play Test rugby for Tonga.