Italy national rugby league team

Italia
Nickname The Azzuri
Governing body Federazione Italiana Rugby League
Region Europe
Head coach Cameron Ciraldo
Captain Anthony Minichiello
Most caps Adam Capovilla
Home stadium Stadio Plebiscito
RLIF ranking 13th
Colours
First international
 France 29–17 Italy 
(Cahors, France; 1951)
Biggest win
 Italy 92–6 Russia 
(Stadio Plebiscito, Padova; 15 October 2011)
Biggest defeat
 Scotland 104–0 Italy 
(Stadio Plebiscito, Padova; 17 October 2009)
World Cup
Appearances 1 (first time in 2013)
Best result Group stage, 2013

The Italy national rugby league team represents Italy in international rugby league football. The team dates back from the 1950s after the formation of a domestic competition in the country, and in the 1960s they played Australia, France and a number of English teams.

The game disappeared in Italy in the 1970s and no international matches were played. The team was revived in the mid-90s by two Italo-Australian Rugby League enthusiasts (Domenic Pezzano & John Benigni) and Italy began competing in various international tournaments. The team qualified for the 2013 World Cup, the first time they ever competed in the tournament.

Currently the team is ranked 12th in the world, behind Scotland. Former international Cameron Ciraldo coaches the team in qualifying matches, while Paul Broadbent will coach them in European Championship matches, and Sydney Roosters full back Anthony Minichiello captains the side.

History

In 1950, a team from Turin tours the North of England. Italy later runs a domestic competition. A year later the first official match of the Italian national team took place in Cahors, France. Italy lost 29–17 although the Azzurri ended the first half leading 10–7.

Sixteen official matches were played against English teams in the season 1952–53, as well as a triangular tournament between Italy, France and England.

In 1958, in Treviso under the Italian Federation of Amateur Rugby 13 (FIAR 13) was formed and was recognised by the Rugby Football League. With this recognition and funding from England, the sport of rugby league became popular in Italy. In their first year, the FIAR had 24 clubs and 620 players.

In 1960, Italy played Australia in two international matches held in Italy, the results were 37–15 and 67–22 losses. In the late 1960s, threats made by the rugby union governing body Italian Rugby Federation to ban players who played rugby league from their sport had the effect of killing off the sport in Italy by the 1970s. As a consequence the Italian national team ceased to exist.

In the mid-1990s the team were revived by two Italian-Australians, Domenic Pezzano and John Benigni, known as 'The Italian Rugby League A XIII' (IRL A XIII) was formed in 1993. Pezzano coached Italy in the Coca Cola Rugby League World Sevens in Australia with the team being predominately players from Italy and one Italo-Australian player captained the team – Orazio D'arro in this tournament, Pezzano also coached the Italian team that participated in the first ever Super League World Nines tournament which was hosted by Fiji, that team was made up off Italian players, Italian Origin players and included 1st Graders such as Dean Schifilliti, Mark Corvo, Luke Davico and Italian dual International Orazio Arancio.

After that event, the Italia Rugby League began competing in various international tournaments, such as the Super League rugby league nines tournament in Fiji, World Sevens, St.Marys Sevens, Wollogong Sevens and the Mediterranean Cup in 1999. They attempted to qualify for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and ended up in the Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament in which they were runners-up to British Amateur Rugby League Association.

In 2002, the Azzuri were back playing internationals in Italy with a triangular tournament featuring Scotland and Russia. Italy lost to Tartarstan of Russia but tied their second game with Scotland 16 all. In 2003 Italy played Scotland again and contested the Ionio Cup against Greece, which they won.

Former Italy logo

In 2006, Italy played three matches, two against South Africa and one against British Amateur Rugby League Association.[1] In 2006 the Federazione of Italia Rugby League (FIRL) were founded.

The Federazione of Italia Rugby League was officially moved to the "official observer" status by the Rugby League European Federation from an unranked position on 15 April 2008.[2]

Italy won the RLEF European Shield in 2008 and 2009, and as such were drafted into the 2009 European Cup following Russia's withdrawal from the tournament. During this tournament, Italy were handed their record defeat by Scotland, but they did manage to record one victory, over Serbia at The Old Parish in Maesteg, Wales.[3][4]

In Autumn 2010 Italy embarked on a short tour of Wales, culminating in a match in Wrexham on 6 October in which they faced Wales for the first time in a full Rugby League international. The Italian side obtained a remarkable 13–6 victory, the first against a national team of the British Isles.[5]

In 2013 they won a warm up match against 3rd ranked England 15–14 making it their most stunning victory.[6]

2013 World Cup Qualifying

In 2011, Italy contested the qualifying tournament for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, competing against Russia, Serbia and Lebanon. Coached by Carlo Napolitano and captained by Anthony Minichiello, Italy's draw with Lebanon was enough for them to gain the 14th and final place in the 2013 World Cup.[7]

2013 World Cup

The Italian team playing in their second kit against Scotland in the 2013 World Cup

Italy were drawn in Pool C alongside Scotland, Tonga and they also played an inter-group match against co-hosts Wales. Their tournament began with an upset victory over the co-hosts at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. In their second match, the 'Azzuri' took on Scotland who were coming off an upset win of their own against Tonga. The match turned out to be a thriller and it was tight with a high scoring draw being the end result. Italy then had to just win their last pool match against Tonga after Scotland won their match and finished their pool-stage campaign with the same points differential the Italians were currently on. Tonga had nothing but pride to play for after their hopes of qualification had vanished but they shocked Napolitano's men by keeping them scoreless and therefore eliminating Italy from having any chance to play in the 2013 World Cup knockout round.

2017 World Cup Qualifying

Italy participated in the qualification for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. The first stage of qualifying involved having to finish in the top 3 in their 2014–15 European Shield competition. Italy only managed to secure qualification for the 'final qualification tournament' after winning their second to last game against bottom placed Ukraine. Italy finished the Shield in third place with 3 wins and 3 defeats in six matches.

The final qualification tournament will consist of 6 teams - the top three teams from the European B tournament, the winners of the European C tournament and seeded nations Wales and Ireland. The tournament will feature two groups of three teams playing in a single round-robin format. The winners of each group will qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will face each other in a play-off match on 5 November 2016 to determine the final spot. A seeded draw will take place to determine the groups on 5 November 2015. Italy are placed in Group A alongside European B tournament champions Serbia, and Wales.

2013 World Cup squad

The Italy national team squad selected for the 2013 World Cup tournament (caps and points apply for after the tournament finished):

Other Nat. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Pts Club
Australia Fullback Anthony Minichiello (Captain) 24 May 1980 7 4 Sydney Roosters
Australia Fullback James Tedesco 8 January 1993 3 4 Wests Tigers
Argentina Fullback Fabrizio Ciaurro 20 January 1989 7 16 Tirreno Sharks
Australia Wing Josh Mantellato 21 April 1987 7 92 Newcastle Knights
England Centre James Saltonstall 27 September 1993 2 8 Warrington Wolves
Australia Centre Chris Centrone 24 July 1991 3 8 North Sydney Bears
France Centre Christophe Calegari 3 June 1984 6 12 FC Lézignan
Australia Stand-off Ryan Ghietti 22 July 1989 6 9 Northern Pride
Australia Halfback Ben Falcone 11 July 1988 7 28 Souths Logan Magpies
Australia Halfback Tim Maccan 5 June 1982 0 0 Tweed Heads Seagulls
Australia Prop Sam Gardel 19 January 1988 1 0 Souths Logan Magpies
Australia Prop Gavin Hiscox 22 December 1993 0 0 Central Queensland Capras
Australia Prop Anthony Laffranchi 16 November 1980 3 0 St Helens
Australia Prop Kade Snowden 31 December 1986 2 0 Newcastle Knights
Australia Prop Paul Vaughan 23 April 1991 3 0 Canberra Raiders
Australia Hooker Ray Nasso 3 July 1987 9 16 SO Avignon
Australia Hooker Dean Parata 4 October 1991 3 0 Parramatta Eels
Australia Second-row Cameron Ciraldo 30 October 1984 7 8 Penrith Panthers
Australia Second-row Joel Riethmuller 9 May 1985 6 8 North Queensland Cowboys
Australia Second-row Ryan Tramonte 12 March 1982 8 0 Windsor Wolves
Australia Second-row Aidan Guerra 25 February 1988 3 8 Sydney Roosters
Australia Second-row Mark Minichiello 30 January 1982 3 4 Gold Coast Titans
Italy Lock Gioele Celerino 2 October 1990 3 12 North West Roosters
Australia Lock Brenden Santi 5 August 1993 3 0 Wests Tigers

Competitions

Official Rankings as of November 2016[8]
RankChangeTeamPoints
1 Increase  Australia
2 Decrease  New Zealand
3 Steady  England
4 Increase  Scotland
5 Decrease  Samoa
6  France
7  Fiji
8  Ireland
9  Wales
10 Steady  United States
11  Serbia
12 Increase  Canada
13  Italy
14 Decrease  Tonga
15  Papua New Guinea
16 Increase  Russia
17 Decrease  Jamaica
18  Belgium
19 Steady  Spain
20  Malta
21  Lebanon
22 Increase  Ukraine
23  Germany
24  Czech Republic
25 Decrease  Cook Islands
26 Steady  Norway
27  Denmark
28  Greece
29  Sweden
30  Netherlands
31  South Africa
32 Increase  Niue
33 Decrease  Philippines
34 Steady  Chile
35  Vanuatu
36  Latvia
37  Solomon Islands
38  Hungary
39  El Salvador
40  Morocco

Italy or Italy A has participated in:

Notable players that have played for Italy

Notable players of Italian Heritage

Overall record

The overall record for the Italian Rugby League, including all national team, competitions, international friendlies, tours and Italy A matches (all affiliated matches).

Against Played Won Lost Drawn % Won
Total 53 26 25 2 49.57%

Results and fixtures

Below are the previous 5 matches of the national team. For all past match results, see the team's results page.
12 September 2015
Russia  26–6  Italy
Report
Fily Stadium, Moscow
18 July 2015
Ukraine  12–40  Italy
Report
National University of State Taxation Service of Ukraine, Irpin
20 June 2015
Italy  14–21  Serbia
Report
Stadio comunale di Teglio Veneto, Gemona del Friuli
10 September 2014
Serbia  45–6  Italy
Report
Makiš Stadium, Belgrade
26 July 2014
Italy  22–18  Russia
Report
Stadio comunale di Teglio Veneto, Gemona del Friuli

Kits

Italy's kit suppliers are Fi-ta.

2013 World Cup Jersey
Home Kit
2013 World Cup Jersey
Away Kit

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Italy national rugby league team.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/12/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.