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EXCLUSIVE: 'This is Zebre' - Behind the scenes documentary
By Online Editors
RugbyPass spent the week building up to the 2018/2019 PRO14 season, behind the scenes in Parma with Zebre Rugby Club, as they went head to head with local rivals Benetton Treviso in their final pre-season game.
Through the eyes of players and coaches, we show a side to Zebre that has never been seen before, as they look to shake off their tags as perennial also-rans and become a more competitive team.
We follow the Michael Bradley coached side through their training week as they bid to earn the respect of some of Europe's toughest opposition.
Can they beat Treviso on their rival's home turf and give their pre-season the perfect ending and their season the perfect beginning?
Founded in 1973 by the former Italian national captain Marco Bollesan, Zebre was chosen, in 2012, by the Italian Rugby Federation to compete in the Pro12 after Aironi were disbanded. The name had been used by an invitational select rugby union team based in Northwest Italy that played regular fixtures between 1973 and 1997. In those 23 years, 25 matches were held against international clubs.
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Latest Comments
I think it was a better rugby destination for him.
He was developed in Melbourne and had a relatively brief stint there. I think he was possibly dropped out of the squad for the return of someone like To'omua (also a Melbourne local) in 2019 ahead of the RWC. But then he wasn't picked up by another Australian team and went to play in Japan when he only really seemed to play a hat full of top level games (maybe injured for long periods??) before he went on to Scotland. But it was only in Scotland that he started to get a lot of consistent game time and selection.
The thing is, no one talked about him being a missed opportunity in Australia before he left - a little like Mac Hansen. But he has been able to forge a top level career since leaving. Both men only had a handful (5 or 6?) games at Super Rugby level before they made a decision to leave (or had it made for them I suppose). Other countries have gone on to develop them and that is great for them and it is probably good for the global game as it means the best players are rising to the top - if not in their birth country than in another. I think there are a lot of issues with poor player development in Australia but I don't know if these two blokes are very good examples of it.
Go to commentsOk I understand. Give them my number please Nick.
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