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Vosawai: Ready to lead the Italian charge towards the quarter finals
Paris and the Parc des Princes will play host to this Pool C game between the World Cup darlings, Portugal, and the proverbial under achievers, Italy, on Wednesday.
Having never made the finals of the World Cup in five previous attempts it has not taken Portugal long to win over the rugby world. Two defeats they may have suffered, but in the process they have demonstrated the lure of the World Cup. The plight of the underdog is one that captivates everyone, most of all when they have a very realistic chance of success.
Despite their two defeats, to Scotland and New Zealand respectively, Portugal have shown more than a glimmer of what they are capable of. And given the chance to settle into a game they can and will be a very real danger.
Unlike several of the other 'second tier' sides competing, they have the ability to score points, rather than looking to frustrate their opponents with all out defence and destructive rugby. With a half-back pairing of Duarte Cardoso Pinto and José Pinto there is a solid foundation for attacking rugby.
This is not to say they will not have a destructive edge to their approach, but they will not base their game solely on this one element. They possess too many talented footballers to play such mindless rugby.
On the other side of the coin, Italy have never hit the heights at a World Cup, and they will not get a better opportunity than this time around. However with one defeat to date, against New Zealand, they can ill-afford to slip up again, least of all on the night of Alessandro Troncon's 100th cap.
How apt it is then that Paris, the city of romance, will play host to a game with so much meaning and emotion. The question remains as to who will leave with a broken heart and who will go on with renewed spirit.
To say Italy have failed to reach their potential thus far would be a something of an understatement. An opening round mauling at the hands of New Zealand was followed by an altogether inept performance against a distinctly average Romanian outfit. Time then for a showing worthy of their billing as potential quarter-finalists.
The double-edged sword of selection has caused Pierre Berbizier several problems. He knows Italy need to win this game, and if we are being honest, win with a bonus point, but at the same time the real challenge - Scotland - lies ahead and therefore he wants to rest players.
Ultimately the battle for runner-up in the pool will be decided in the final game for Italy, against Scotland, and to that effect Berbizier has had to juggle his options somewhat. At the same time he realises the need to field a competitive side, as anything less and Portugal will pounce on the chance to create history, and in the process end any hope Italy have of making the knock-out stages.
As with ancient Gladiatorial battles the Azzurri will be judged on their showings in the battle arena. We will have to wait to see if they get a pollice compresso and the right to fight for a place in the quarters. The alternative, for Italy, is not worth contemplating.
Ones to Watch:
For Italy: How could you not watch out for the little general Alessandro Troncon on his 100th Test cap. He has been one of the finest servants in international rugby and he will be determined to show he deserves to be a member of the 'Hundred Club'. Back in the side, having sat on the bench against Romania, he will need to be on top of his game to stop Portugal growing in confidence. There is no doubt he is the heartbeat of this Italian side, and if they are to maintain their journey to the quarter-finals the Azzurri will need a stellar performance from their star man.
For Portugal: Portugal have grown with every minute of this World Cup and, man for man, they have all played a part. However as they look to gain their maiden win all eyes will be on Duarte Cardoso Pinto, the man charged with steering the ship home. He showed up well against Scotland in his only other start and will take huge confidence from that performance. That will count for little though, if he does not exceed the marker he himself set down. With an educated boot and a cool head he will be ready to shine in what could be Portugal's finest hour.
Head to Head: Pierre Berbizier has gone for added power in his back row, and to that effect the contest between Manoa Vosawai and Vasco Uva will be key. Vosawai has only played a bit part to date, whereas Uva has been central to Portugal's cause. Contrasting styles they may have, but both are equally effective. Uva and his back row colleagues will need to swarm all over the huge Italian, or Fijian, who for his part will look to use his considerable size to keep the Azzuri on the front foot.
Previous Results:
2006: Italy won 83-0, L'Aquila
1968: Italy won 17-3, Lisbon
1967: Italy won 6-3, Genoa
Prediction: There is not a single soul, aside from the Italians, who will not be rooting for Portugal, but can they deliver the result everyone wants to see? One fears not. Italy may, as Scotland did, find it hard to break Os Lobos down, but eventually they will and get the win they need. Italy by 19.
The teams:
Italy: 15 David Bortolussi, 14 Pablo Canavosio, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Andrea Masi, 11 Matteo Pratichetti, 10 Roland de Marigny, 9 Alessandro Troncon, 8 Manoa Vosawai, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Sergio Parisse, 5 Marco Bortolami (c), 4 Carlo Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 Valerio Bernabò, 20 Silvio Orlando, 21 Paul Griffen, 22 Ezio Galon.
Portugal: 15 Pedro Cabral, 14 David Mateus, 13 Federico Sousa, 12 Diogo Mateus, 11 António Aguilar, 10 Duarte Cardoso Pinto, 9 José Pinto, 8 Vasco Uva (c), 7 João Uva6 Tiago Girão, 5 Gonçalo Uva, 4 David Penalva, 3 Ruben Spachuck, 2 João Correia, 1 Rui Cordeiro.
Replacements: 16 Juan Manuel Muré, 17 Andre Silva, 18 Duarte Figueiredo, 19 Paulo Murinello, 20 Luis Pissarra, 21 Diogo Gama, 22 Gonçalo Foro.
Date: Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Kick off: 20:00 (19:00 BST, 18:00 GMT)
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris
Referee: Marius Jonker
Touch judges: Federico Cuesta, Malcolm Changleng
Television match official: Paul Marks
Assessor: Steve Hilditch
By Marcus Leach
