Rugby:Italy coach Nick Mallet has criticised Treviso and Aironi for favouring foreign imports at the expense of local players. The South African believes that by recruiting overseas players, the two clubs are hampering the progress of the Azzurri.
The former Springbok coach used Riccardo Bocchino, the fly-half he selected for Italy’s 31-24 World Cup warm-up win over Japan, as an example to highlight the problems he has faced with selection. Bocchino has struggled for game time at Aironi. “There is no doubt that he’s a player with a bright future but it’s difficult to say he’s the solution to our problems at number 10.
“The problem at 10 is a problem Italy has had for 10 years; the problem is top division teams have always signed contracts with foreigners to play at 10 who can’t play for Italy.” Mallett, who steps down after the World Cup, said the problem is not just restricted to that position.
“We saw the same problem at scrum-half for my first two years. I’m delighted we’ve found Gori and (Fabio) Semenzato. But the important thing is to give an opportunity to Italians in key positions at club level and especially at Celtic League level. That’s nine, 10, second row, props, eight, in all of them we need Italians.”
Italy are in Ireland’s Pool for next month’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
