1
'We have had a great tournament, but can do better than this'
By Simon Thomas
As far as Michele Lamaro is concerned, the future has already arrived for Italian rugby.
The inspirational flanker has just captained the Azzurri to their best ever Six Nations campaign, with wins over Scotland and Wales, plus a draw away to France which could so easily have been another victory.
It’s taken them up to eighth in the world rankings, above both Australia and Wales, equalling their highest previous position.
Openside Lamaro has played a pivotal role, putting in no fewer than 103 tackles during the Championship, setting a new tournament record, surpassing the 100 by Scotland lock Johnny Gray in 2018. He is the very definition of leading from the front.
This season has also seen Italy’s two BKT URC teams take significant strides forward.
Lamaro’s Benetton Rugby have picked up ten wins and a draw from their 15 matches in all competitions, putting them firmly in the mix for a BKT URC play-off spot and securing a Challenge Cup last 16 tie at home to the Emirates Lions.
Meanwhile, Zebre Rugby have already comfortably surpassed their points tally from the whole of last season in the league and have been far more competitive, as demonstrated by them collecting eight bonus points.
Now the aim of both sides will be to build on the success of the national team, with Zebre having a big BKT URC game at home to table-topping Leinster Rugby this weekend and Benetton travelling to the Scarlets.
These are special days to be involved in Italian rugby, as the Rome-raised Lamaro confirms.
“Over the last ten years, I think I have heard thousands of times that we have to work for the future and that there is a bright future,” he says.
“Honestly, I am sick of that. I want to live the moment, we want to live now.
“We want to win now and be competitive now, not tomorrow, not the next day.
“This is the main thing we need to improve in our heads.
“Obviously it’s tough in Italy because we haven’t had a winning culture, so you need to create a strong base and an environment where young players can express themselves in the best way.
“The aim for our clubs and for the national team is to give them that chance. We have gained experience and we can share it with the youngest ones.
“So, if you tell me Italy has a bright future, I will tell you yes, but tomorrow is the day that we want to win again.”
After coming tantalisingly close to beating France in Lille, with Paolo Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty striking an upright, Italy then beat Scotland 31-29 before defeating Wales 24-21 in Cardiff.
“This is everything for us,” said the 25-year-old Lamaro following Saturday’s triumph at the Principality Stadium.
“This is the reason why we step onto the pitch every single day and the reason why we work that hard.
“Every time we play, we want to win and achieve these sort of results.
“I am just proud of my team. We have worked so hard in the last few years.
“We want to achieve even more now. We have had a great tournament, but can do better than this.
“We have to be a lot more consistent to get the respect we want.
“The emotion I feel is we have achieved one of our goals since the start of the season.
“I want to keep on winning and keep on this wave that we are on at the moment. Now we have got a job to do with our clubs.”
Credit: URC
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Springboks confirm their six-game home fixtures schedule for 2025
3
Talks resume to get Phil Morrow on Borthwick’s England staff ASAP
4
David Moffett launches Warren Gatland attack, names next Wales coach
5
Latest Comments
Before Schmidt came along I think its fair to say that nobody and I mean nobody had faith in the Australian domestic system and its ability to churn out players of test quality. Faced with Zero player depth, no distinct style of play, very few working combinations, an inexperienced team and a player and brain drain from Aussie rugby I think everyone believed Joe Schmidt was on a hiding to nothing. 12 tests later the Wallabies have a distinct style of play, working combinations across the park, are slowly building that player depth and have significantly enhanced their stock of good test quality players. Its taken alot of learnings but the project has rapidly surged forward in the last 2 months. What an upward trajectory its been. Before the Northern tour began many said 1 win would be enough to consider it a success. Well they have 2 and were in the contest against a determined Scottish team away from home. They never once shrunk and fought till the end. I also think about those 18 debutants you have mentioned. Imagine the benefit for them and for their Super Rugby franchises with them having now been exposed to a strong systems, with them having now been exposed to the learnings that only international rugby can bring. Imagine the confidence they can take back now into Super Rugby and also the knowledge now of what they have to do to reach that next level knowing its not beyond them. For too long during the Jones Era a sense of hopelessness pervaded the entire Australian set up both domestic and International. So many players saw their dreams fade into dust and others saw their futures evaporate while some became so disillusioned they turned to League. Now Schmidt has brought back hope and has given these lads a sense of purpose. Its almost as though rain has come after a long drought. Lets hope these shoots of green grow tall.
Go to commentsFolau made the abc community cry foul for sharing his beliefs . But what did he actually do wrong ? . Nothing , that’s why Folau won in court and the Australian rugby union had to pay him 4 million I think it was .
Go to comments