The blue head coach spoke at a press conference at the end of the match in Edinburgh
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Franco Smith ph. Sebastiano Pessina
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In the immediate post-match of Murrayfield, with Italy defeated 52-10 from the Scottish temple on the last day of the Six Nations 2021 at the home of the Cardo selection, Franco Smith – South African head coach of the Italian national team – spoke at the press conference , between today’s match and the blue tournament, starting with a general evaluation and underlining, after a question on the subject, that there have been no impromptu experiments in recent weeks.
“There have been no experiments, we have lined up those who are the players at our disposal, sending many young players onto the field, as happens with every union when a new cycle opens, after the end of the World Cup. It was not easy, with many boys under 23 – some of them with more international appearances than with franchises -, in the presence of 4 selections in which the players are looking for a jersey on the Lions tour, an extra special motivation. ”Explained Smith, quickly analyzing what happened, in terms of choices and results during these seven weeks.
“They were not experiments, but there is a path to take to try to bring Italian rugby to the top. Why should we change it now? You can’t explain to these guys what the international level is. They have to experience it on their own skin. Now they will return with the franchises – where 80% of the work is done, and where we also need to improve in terms of results – with a wealth of important experience ”, continued the former Cheetahs, before focusing on Scotland.
On today’s game: “I am saddened by our indiscipline – between yellow and excessive penalties granted – and by the inconsistency (especially in defense). We alternated – as in the whole tournament – moments in which we defended well, even for 15 phases without conceding kicks – something excellent for a young team like ours -, with moments in which we did things very very badly. Missing nine tackles on restarts is not acceptable at this level ”.
On the short-term future: “Today I have to feel comfortable in the analysis, because I am still very frustrated. From Monday we will start working on the next few months with clarity. We certainly carry the bitterness of defeat with us. But in 1000 pro matches of my life in rugby, between those as a player and those as a coach, maybe only 10% gave me pleasure. For the rest, however, all the others conveyed to me the need to work even harder, to concentrate on recovery, to metabolize, analyze and overcome defeats ”.
“I see a group with the right attitude. Very disappointed with the results and aware of being currently behind, also and mentally, compared to the others, but they are the right guys to give the national team a future. Even from a performance like today we have to draw lessons ”.
On the defensive problems, and the excessive points granted: “The goals suffered come from many different situations. We have worked a lot on defense, for which, as it is obvious that it is also for the other fundamental components of (our) game (attack, breakdown, kicking plan, set pieces), we assign specific and detailed tasks, working a lot – like the others technical staff -, between video analysis and field work. Each action corresponds to a reaction, with consequences: if we hold more possession we expose ourselves to difficulties on the meeting point, if we kick we have to tackle more etc. etc. Ergo, we have to put together and improve more aspects of the game, it’s not just a problem linked to a specific situation in defense.
Also because, then, speaking of the required standard: “At this level you cannot hide anything, if here everything does not work as well as possible, every mistake is paid at a very high price, as happened to us in this Six Nations. If each player makes even one mistake, that’s a total of fifteen mistakes, a number that we cannot afford ”.
To echo him, then, also the captain Luca Bigi, extremely disappointed, but already projected towards the future: “It is a very hard lesson to swallow, we must be hard on ourselves as we have been after each race, continue to work and not let go of an inch. This Six Nations was an experience for everyone, we must remain united, not give up and, for those who deserve the call-up, meet in June for the tour with the same attitude and the same desire to go forward that we have shown, for ourselves and for all those who support us from home and who deserve more ”.
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