Ce qu'il faut savoir sur le match Italie - Uruguay
Six jours après leur performance héroïque à Lille, où ils ont poussé une équipe de France considérée comme l’une des favorites de la compétition, les Teros sont de retour pour le deuxième acte. Ils feront face à l’Italie dans un match dont l’enjeu dépasse le cadre de cette Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
Dans cette Poule A, la Nouvelle-Zélande et la France restent les grands favoris pour la qualification, même si rien n’est encore joué. Mais une troisième place est synonyme de qualification pour la RWC 2027 en Australie. C’est un enjeu de taille.
Sans surprise, le sélectionneur de l’Uruguay Esteban Meneses n’a procédé qu’à deux changements par rapport à l’équipe qui s’est inclinée 27-12 face à la France à Lille : German Kessler est titularisé au poste de talonneur et Gaston Mieres (qui a participé aux deux dernières éditions de la RWC) prend place sur l’aile.
Grâce à sa large victoire (52-8) sur la Namibie, la Squadra Azzurra est en position de force en vue d’un éventuel quart de finale, même si la probabilité reste assez faible. Les Italiens n’en seront que plus méfiants à l’égard d’une équipe d’Uruguay qui affiche des progrès fulgurants.
HISTORIQUE
Il s’agit de la première confrontation entre ces deux équipes en Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
MATCH MARQUANT
Les Uruguayens ont marqué les esprits face à la France malgré la défaite, mais ce n’est certainement pas leur match de référence. Il y a quatre ans au Japon, cette équipe représentant un pays qui ne comptait alors que 22 joueurs professionnels a battu avec la manière (30-27) une équipe fidjienne où évoluaient des joueurs comme Leone Nakarawa, Semi Radradra, Vereniki Goneva ou encore Levani Botia. Un exploit entré dans les annales de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby.
POINT-CLÉ
La question est de savoir si l’Uruguay est capable de déployer la même débauche d’énergie dans les regroupements que face à la France, un secteur du jeu où les Teros avaient posé d’énormes problèmes aux Bleus jeudi dernier à Lille.
Cela n’a pas échappé au regard attentif des Italiens. « On a vu ce que l’Uruguay a fait contre la France, en se battant sur tous les ballons et en imposant un défi physique intense. Face à une équipe comme celle-là, les rucks prennent une importance fondamentale », estime le troisième ligne Sebastian Negri, qui s’apprête à fêter sa 50e sélection.
L’Uruguay peut-il créer la surprise ? Depuis la dernière Coupe du Monde, l’équipe a incontestablement franchi un palier. L’intégralité des 33 joueurs sélectionnés sont désormais au minimum semi-professionnels. L’équipe de Peñarol, qui fournit un contingent de 24 joueurs à l’équipe nationale pour cette RWC, a remporté cette année le Súper Rugby Américas. Et le demi de mêlée castrais Santiago Arata est une véritable force de la nature.
L’Italie sait ce qui l’attend. Elle ne peut pas se permettre de commettre la même erreur que la France en faisant exagérément tourner son effectif. C’est pourquoi Kieran Crowley n’a apporté que quatre changements à son XV de départ. Reste à savoir si ce sera suffisant pour empêcher les Uruguayens d’accomplir ce qu’ils considèrent comme leur destin.
LE DUEL
Paolo Garbisi face à Andres Vilaseca. L’aîné des frères Garbisi n’est pas un novice dans un rôle de premier centre, puisqu’il a évolué quinze fois à ce poste pour le Montpellier Hérault Rugby dans le Top 14. Mais il s’agit de sa première titularisation en équipe nationale en tant que numéro 12, face à un capitaine uruguayen très expérimenté.
LA STAT INCROYABLE
En neuf Coupes du Monde de Rugby, l’Italie s’est retrouvée six fois dans la même poule que la Nouvelle-Zélande. Cette fois-ci, c’est le 29 septembre à Lyon que les Italiens affronteront ces All Blacks qu’ils connaissent si bien.
L’ARBITRE
Angus Gardner (Australie). C’est à la suite d’une blessure au dos qu’Angus Gardner, qui a officié à Marseille lors de l’Afrique du Sud – Écosse (18-3) de la première journée, a abandonné une carrière de joueur pour se lancer dans l’arbitrage.
LES ÉQUIPES
ITALIE : Ange Capuozzo ; Lorenzo Pani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Garbisi, Montanna Ioane ; Tommaso Allan, Alessandro Garbisi ; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni ; Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza ; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capitaine), Lorenzo Cannone
Remplaçants : Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Pietro Ceccarelli, Dino Lamb, Manuel Zuliani, Giovanni Pettinelli, Alessandro Fusco, Paolo Odogwu
URUGUAY : Baltazar Amaya; Gaston Mieres, Tomas Inciarte, Andres Vilaseca (captain), Nicolas Freitas; Felipe Etcheverry, Santiago Arata; Mateo Sanguinetti, German Kessler, Ignacio Peculo; Felipe Aliaga, Manuel Leindekar; Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana
Remplaçants : Guillermo Pujadas, Facundo Gattas, Diego Arbelo, Ignacio Dotti, Carlos Deus, Agustin Ormaechea, Felipe Berchesi, Bautista Basso
Comments on RugbyPass
2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
31 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
31 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
2 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
31 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
31 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
2 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
2 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
7 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
7 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
7 Go to commentsAll good choices John, even the Tah players ha ha. Others that might be worth a look would be ; Cale, Tom Lynagh, Uru, Keunzle, Anstee and maybe Rory Scott because we need a backup to McReight and he has improved a lot from last year and Tim Ryan.
3 Go to comments