Flashback When Italy humbled Wales
In 2003, just like now, the Azzurri were stuck in a losing streak, but their young team upset the odds, recalls Ben Coles
The similarities are obvious. Italy face Wales tomorrow having lost their last 15 matches in the Natwest Six Nations, the worst losing streak in the competition’s history.
Rewind to 2003 and the Azzurri’s losing run in the tournament had stretched to 14 matches by the time they welcomed Steve Hansen’s Wales to Rome. Their historic 30-22 victory not only ensured their opponents ultimately claimed that year’s wooden spoon, but silenced the sceptics who had doubted Italy’s place at European rugby’s top table.
Head coach John Kirwan had taken over in 2002 and set about blooding young talents – Martin Castrogiovanni and Sergio Parisse made their debuts that summer in New Zealand – while managing the departure of an Italian great in Diego Dominguez.
“We were very happy because it was a couple of years into a new project with John,” recalls Marco Bortolami, who found himself standing in between Dominguez and the outstanding Alessandro Troncon during the anthems.
“We started in 2002 with him with a young team, who became integral to the success of the Italian side in the years that followed. I got to play with those legends in Troncon and Dominguez and we had the 2003 Rugby World Cup, so it was a very special year.
“Obviously when you have new young players, the first two or three years you always struggle. Test rugby is about experience and pressure, and when you’re young you do not fully understand how to handle that.
“Full credit to JK, he stuck with almost the same group of players and we developed, we heard the message, and worked hard to improve. Then as a result we became more competitive.”
Victory over Wales was ultimately built on the control of Troncon and Dominguez and a ferocious forward effort, the short-range power of Italy’s pack causing Wales constantly to slip off tackles. Prop Giampiero de Carli spun over for a 7-0 lead but the Welsh response was instant, Steve Williams crossing before Tom Shanklin made it 14-7 to Wales with a long-range break.
In the past Italy might have folded but this time was different, Troncon and Dominguez mixing up wide and short passes and including lively backs Denis Dallan and Cristian Stoica in the build-up to Carlo Festuccia’s levelling try.
“Especially that year, our pack was pretty dominant,” adds Bortolami. “We were successful against the big teams for that reason. If you have Troncon and Dominguez, and your pack get on the front foot, then everything is much easier.”
Italy’s superiority up front was epitomised by their third try, a turnover off a spinning Welsh scrum leaving the visitors in a defensive mess as Troncon, Dominguez and Andrea de Rossi exchanged passes to send Matthew Phillips over for a superb score.
Two earlier Dominguez penalties left Italy with a 27-17 lead and 20 minutes still remaining; except this time there was no collapse. Troncon and Dominguez pinned Wales back in their half, the fly-half ’s subsequent drop goal ensuring the losing streak would come to an end.
The win would prove to be his last. He limped off in the following week’s defeat against Ireland and never played for his country again. Bowing out with victory over Wales, after his outstanding 14 years of service to Italian rugby, was the least Dominguez deserved.