Fiji v. Italy match last chance for Argentina

Press, 30 May 1987, Page 15

Fiji v. Italy match last chance for Argentina

By

DAVID LEGGAT

PA Christchurch Argentina captain, Hugo Porta, will be an anxious observer when Fiji plays Italy in the pool three rugby World Cup match at Carisbrook tomorrow.

If Italy can beat Fiji, the way would be open for Argentina, in spite of its crushing first round loss to the Fijians, to make the quarter-finals, provided it can beat the All Blacks in Wellington on Monday. On Thursday Porta’s men had a tough job subduing a brave Italian effort before sneaking home, 25-16 at Lancaster Park.

But Porta is not looking beyond the Pumas’ match with the All Blacks, which, given the form displayed by the two teams in their World Cup matches to date, is something of a mismatch. “I first hope to beat New Zealand. I’m not thinking about the other teams, I must think about my team,” Porta said. “But I wish Italy would win against Fiji,” he laughed. Porta, who contributed five penalties and one conversion from eight shots at goal on Thursday,

was not entirely satisfied with Argentina’s performance.

"We know we didn’t play the way we could, but at least we won. That is most important because we are still in the competition.” After a disappointing personal performance against Fiji, Porta looked in better touch against Italy, especially with his kicking. But the great first five-eighth played down his own role. “I think it was better for me today. But it is not for personal reasons we are here. We must try to play as a team in the future games,” he said. Argentina coach, Hector Silva, would not spell out any specific areas requiring special attention in preparation for the match against the All Blacks. “We are talking of a team which is not doing very well at the moment, so we must concentrate on all the different areas, rucks, mauls and lineouts.

“But the team must concentrate. If it changes the way it should be playing it will not have any chance,” he said. Italian captain, Marzio

Innocenti, was “very proud” of all his players on Thursday.

The manner in which they bounced back from their 70-6 hiding from the All Blacks left Innocenti delighted for his team but disappointed that it fell just short of victory. "We are happy to play a good match. I think a lot of people were thinking we were nothing. I think we are a little more than nothing,” he said. Italy must play to a similar standard against Fiji tomorrow if it is to have a chance of leaving the World Cup with a win under its belt.

“Perhaps Fiji will be a very close match. Today (Thursday) we did all we could and lost.

“It is disappointing but I tried something, Argentina tried other things, and they made the points.” Italian coach, Marco Bollesan, is not underestimating Fiji. “Of course Fiji is a good team, and will be hard to beat. But we always go on to the field to win. They are a very dangerous team and we will have to watch them very closely,” he said.