Lamaro: It’s time for someone else to get Wooden Spoon
MICHELE Lamaro feels it is time for “someone else” to be awarded the Wooden Spoon and predicts Italy are poised to cause a few Six Nations shockwaves.
Seven successive competitions have seen Italy stuck firmly at the bottom but captain Lamaro is confident the Rome effect can help them lower the colours of some favourites for the trophy with France first to visit the capital today, and both Ireland and Wales also due there.
Italian federation president Marzio Innocenti has already applied the pressure on Kieran Crowley’s men by demanding two wins minimum with hope and expectation raised by the stunning Autumn victory over Australia.
Wales found out in last year’s competition that it can be dangerous to under estimate the underdogs when Italy won 22-21 in Cardiff – their first Six Nations win since beating Scotland in 2015.
Benetton flanker Lamaro says: “Our record in the competition is not very good so it is not surprising that it is the same every year with people writing us off and saying that we will struggle to win a single game. But we do not listen to those comments. People said we could not beat Wales but we did. People say we will finish bottom again but we feel that will be someone else this time.
“Maybe our result against Australia silenced a few others. Those outside our squad may not expect great things but we want to prove those people wrong. I can feel a real excitement within the team and what we can achieve in the coming weeks.
“If I didn’t think we could win two games in this tournament I would not bother to come in for training. There is no negative thinking in this squad. We are confident we can surprise one or two of the more established teams. The fact we are in Rome against France is a big thing for us and gives us hope.”
Australian head coach Crowley insists: “Beating Wales was special but it was last year and we have to focus on what is ahead of us in a new tournament. When I came into the job it was about getting some respect and credibility back into Italian rugby. Getting a result like that helps because it gives the players massive confidence. Just the same way the win over Australia has done so. It establishes a self-belief.”