Italian rookie Rizzoli has World Cup hopes scuppered by lengthy ban
Rookie Italian loosehead Luca Rizzoli has had his Rugby World Cup hopes dashed by a lengthy ban following an independent URC disciplinary hearing. The soon-to-be 21-year-old had been enjoying his breakthrough season with Zebre Parma, doing enough earlier in the campaign to merit inclusion as one of four uncapped players when Kieran Crowley named his 34-strong Azzurri Guinness Six Nations squad in January.
The tournament passed by without the front rower making his Test debut, but his ambition of going on to challenge for a spot in Italy’s World Cup squad has now been ended due to suspension for a foul play incident that the URC have not fully explained in their media release announcing the ban.
It appears that Rizzoli got in trouble for a last-minute incident in last weekend’s narrow home league defeat to Cardiff, but officials haven’t specified exactly what the player did to contravene law 9.12. Whatever took place, it was enough to merit a mid-range sanction of 18 games which was reduced to nine on mitigation.
However, with just two club games remaining in the Zebre season, the remaining seven matches of his ban will cover all four of Italy’s World Cup warm-up matches and three of their four pool games at the finals in France.
A statement read: “The disciplinary process related to Luca Rizzoli’s citing in the BKT United Rugby Championship round 16 game against Cardiff on March 24 has resulted in a nine-week suspension.
“The citing commissioner in charge reported the Zebre Parma player for an act of foul play related to law 9.12 – A player must not physically or verbally abuse anyone. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, biting, punching, contact with the eye or eye area, striking with any part of the arm, shoulder, head or knee(s), stamping, trampling, tripping or kicking.
“The incident occurred in the 79th minute of the game. The citing report was brought to a full disciplinary panel hearing on Thursday. The panel comprised Kathrine Mackie (chair, Scotland), John Kirk (Scotland) and David Humphreys (Ireland).
“In the player’s responses to the panel, he accepted that he had committed an act of foul play and that it met the red card test. On review of the evidence, the panel determined that the act of foul play was deliberate and intentional. A mid-range entry level for sanction was agreed upon leading to a suspension of 18 weeks.
“Taking into account the player’s young age and inexperience, clean disciplinary record, his remorse and acceptance of his actions, the panel allowed for maximum mitigation of 50 per cent to reduce the suspension to nine weeks.”
Fixtures Luca Rizzoli is unavailable for:
Bulls vs Zebre Parma, April 15 – URC
Lions vs Zebre Parma, April 22 – URC
Scotland vs Italy, July 29 – Pre-RWC Test
Ireland vs Italy, August 5 – Pre-RWC Test
Italy vs Romania, August 19 – Pre-RWC Test
Italy vs Japan, August – 26 Pre-RWC Test
Italy vs Namibia, September 9 – RWC
Italy vs Uruguay, September 20 – RWC
Italy vs New Zealand, September 29 – RWC
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments