Italy eyes Pacific Islanders

| Fri, 11/21/2008 - 03:31

The Italian rugby team is looking to wind up its autumn tests with a morale-boosting win against the Pacific Islanders.

After defeats against Australia and Argentina, coach Nick Mallett has said he wants sharper back play and fewer kicking errors in Saturday's game, which will draw a sell-out crowd to the northern Italian city of Reggio Emilia.

The Pacific Islanders are always an attractive side to watch but their defence offers opponents ample opportunities - a factor exploited to the full in heavy wins by England and France.

Mallett is hoping for a similarly large score to boost his team ahead of the Six Nations, where Italy is aiming to return to the form of two years ago when they won two tests.

On Thursday Mallett unveiled four changes to the side that lost 22-14 to Argentina in Turin last Saturday.

Mirco Bergamasco switches back to centre from the wing alongside Gonzalo Garcia while Matteo Pratichetti goes out to the wing.

Pietro Travagli replaces Pablo Canavosio at scrum half, starting for the first time alongside Andrea Marcato who retains the fly half shirt for the third straight game.

Tommaso Reato gets his first start in the second row alongside ex-captain Marco Bortolami who wins his 70th cap.

In the fourth change, Mallett has preferred Leonardo Ghiraldini to Fabio Ongaro as hooker.

Team: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Matteo Pratichetti, 10 Andrea Marcato, 9 Pietro Travagli, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Josh Sole, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Tommaso Reato, 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Andrea Lo Cicero, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 Alessandro Zanni, 20 Pablo Canavosio/Giulio Toniolatti, 21 Luke McLeane, 22 Riccardo Pavan.

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