Mallett (ma solo alla stampa straniera…) afferma l’importanza di Roma per il rugby italiano

Perfino Mallett non ha difficoltà ad ammettere l’importanza per il movimento del rugby italiano del coinvolgimento di Roma nell’alto livello. In una intervista rilasciata al sito www.planetrugby.com il ct azzurro  - che farebbe bene a ribadire queste cose anche ai Media di casa nostra – non si limita a fare riferimento allo Stadio Flaminio come sede delle partite della Nazionale (a proposito, lo sapevate che esiste un gentlemen agreement tra i presidenti delle Union del Sei Nazioni perchè i match vengano disputati solo nelle rispettive capitali? Quando la finirà il nostro presidente di agitare lo spettro di una fuga da Roma sapendo che non è possibile?).

Mallett parla esplicitamente anche della sua speranza che Roma torni in lizza per una franchigia in Magners Celtic League.

Meglio tardi che mai, di seguito riportiamo integralmente il testo ripreso dal sito www.planetrugby.com :

Despite Milan’s 80,000 San Siro stadium being sold out for the All Blacks’ visit on November 14, Azzurricoach Nick Mallett wants Rome’s Stadio Flaminio to remain the home of Italian rugby.

The massive interest in the north, which has always been the heartland of Italian rugby, has given rise to questions as to whether the Azzurri’s Six Nations games should be moved away from the aging 32 000 seater in the capital.

But Mallet feels at the Flaminio offers than meets the eye.

“I don’t think so,” Mallett told Reuters when asked if Italy should quit Rome full-time following the San Siro experiment.

“Flaminio is a very attractive stadium for Italian rugby to play in and also for other teams to come to. It’s good for international rugby when you’ve got Paris, Rome, London etc.”

Mallet also feels that Rome should be next in line for a place in the Magners League. The Italian federation originally offered one of the two spots in the competition to a new Rome franchise but financial problems led to Treviso being given the slot instead alongside fellow northerners Aironi, sparking a row between the rich North and poorer South.

“I think Italian rugby would like a third spot in the Celtic League and that would definitely go to Rome,” said Mallett.

Mallet is impressed with All Blacks ability to draw a sell-out crowd at the San Siro, a soccer stadium.

“That has been an incredible achievement for Italian rugby and it shows what a strong brand New Zealand are,” he said.

“Arguably South Africa are the best side in the world but for an Italian, the All Blacks for some reason have managed to build this brand. Jonah Lomu must have something to do with it.

“I don’t think rugby has ever had a crowd like this. We took a bit of a risk given the size of the stadium but it’s really worked out well.”

Italy suffered five defeats from five for the first time since 2005 in this year’s Six Nations and Mallett expects another tough campaign as his side will have been soften up by the world tow best teams (New Zealand and South Africa) before they meet Samoa in Ascoli on November 28

“The calendar in 2009 has been tough. By the time we play Samoa it’s going to be hard as we will have been through two tough games but we’ve just got to play what’s in front of us,” the former Springbok coach said.