Italy have come a long way

Failure so far to export the fiery Italian spirit so evident at Rome's Stadio Flaminio has often proved Azzurri's undoing at the World Cup.

Italy has come a long way since losing its first ever World Cup match 70-6 against New Zealand in 1987, and is a force at home when playing in the Six Nations championship, as demonstrated with wins over Scotland and France in the last two years.

But despite playing in every World Cup so far, they've never been beyond the group stage. And Nick Mallett's squad is going to be hard pushed again in a group containing Australia and Ireland.

Unfortunately for Mallet's team, an opening match against Australia on Sept. 11 is hardly the best way to ease into a tournament.

Italy then faces Russia and the United States before rounding off its Group C matches with a showdown against Ireland in a game likely to decide whether Italy reaches the quarterfinals for the first time.

Four years ago, Italy had a chance to make the last eight but lost an intensely close match 18-16 against Scotland under former Azzurri coach Pierre Berbizier.

Now it's the South African Mallett's turn to try and take Italy that step further in international rugby before handing the Italian job over to another Frenchman, Jacques Brunel, after the tournament.

Italy's World Cup warm-up matches gave Mallett plenty to think about, particularly in defence.

In a 31-24 win against Japan in Cesena, Italy wasted a 14-0 lead and fell behind 17-14 before its superior pack regained control of the match.

The Azzurri then lost a closely-contested match 23-12 to Scotland, giving away too many cheap penalties.

"I'm satisfied by the improvement the squad showed in some areas compared with the game with Japan, but it's evident that in other areas there is still work to be done," Mallett said. "Of course it's a little frustrating to dominate a game with the forwards and not be capable of winning it."

Mallett also expressed concern that his potential halfback pairings have yet to gel.

"We've got to improve the interplay between Nos. 9 and 10," he said. "But on the other hand both (Fabio) Semenzato and (Luciano) Orquera, and (Edoardo) Gori and (Riccardo) Bocchino haven't played very much together."

Italy's hopes will no doubt rest with the likes of winger and kicker Mirco Bergamasco, Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni, hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini and star player Sergio Parisse - who is arguably one of the finest No.8s in the world.

Parisse is still only 27, but the Stade Francais player is approaching the 80-cap mark for Italy and has been a mainstay of the national team since his debut against the All Blacks in 2002.

A fierce tackler, Parisse has inspirational leadership qualities a captain needs to go with his talents, which include a penchant for the odd drop goal - a rare skill among loose forwards.

"Sergio is a player who has personality and is respected by his teammates, referees and opponents," Mallett said. "He's got a good rugby brain."

Mallett also freshened up his squad by including hooker Tommaso D'Apice, who came through the Italian Rugby Federation's academy system, and veteran lock Cornelius van Zyl.

He also welcomed back veteran flanker Mauro Bergamasco, who last played for Italy in the 2010 Six Nations, after a long spell out through injury.

"A World Cup needs experienced players and it is my job to take decisions and line up the best team," Mallett said. "This team has been built up over the last four years, and we've no doubts this is the best team to bring to the southern hemisphere ... we will go to New Zealand to reach the knockout phase."

Italy's heaviest World Cup defeat was a 101-3 hiding by New Zealand in '99, with two further crushing defeats at the hands of the All Blacks by 70-7 and 76-14 in the subsequent tournaments.

Italy's first match against the Wallabies will go a long way to proving whether the defence is indeed more robust away from home these days, providing it can withstand a predicted onslaught of running options from the Australians.

If Mallett's team comes through that challenge without suffering too heavy a defeat, confidence will soar and Italy will fancy their chances of pushing Ireland all the way in their final group game.

The Irish will not relish that contest too much, considering they needed a last-gasp drop goal from Ronan O'Gara to avoid a Six Nations defeat earlier this year in Rome.

SAPA-AP