Belief drives Italy's last-eight bid

Ask any of the Italian delegation what their objective is for Rugby World Cup 2011 and the response will be the same - to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Sergio Parisse is the man charged with leading Italy's challenge this time against Australia, Ireland, Russia and USA in Pool C. He was part of the team that narrowly missed out to Scotland for a last-eight place at RWC 2007 and was a junior member of the side that finished third in Pool D behind New Zealand and Wales in 2003.

"At the last World Cup, we had the same objective as this year, which was to reach the quarter-finals," he said. "The pool we had was a little bit easier as we had Romania, Portugal and Scotland, who we had beaten a couple of times in previous years, but obviously we lost to Scotland (so didn't progress).

"This year it is different and the pool is tougher, but everyone believes in the team, especially Nick (Mallett, coach), even though he is leaving after the World Cup. This is a tougher pool because we haven't beaten Ireland for a long time, but we all believe."

Italy had Ireland on the ropes during this year's Six Nations match in Rome's Stadio Flaminio, before a late Ronan O'Gara drop goal gave the visitors a 13-11 win. Wales also left the Eternal City with a victory and, just as it appeared Italy would finish their home campaign without a win, they produced a performance that stunned France to overcome the defending champions 22-21.

Making improvements

Those recent results are a long way from when 27-year-old Parisse made his Italy debut in Hamilton against the All Blacks in 2002.

"I was 18 years old and playing in that match was a great experience," he said. "I was just a kid and not fully mature, either physically or as a player, but to make my international debut against the All Blacks was great.

"We lost 64-10, but if you look at our most recent match with the All Blacks we only lost 20-6 at the San Siro in 2009. It means we have closed the gap with the other teams and shows the growth and development of the other players.

"Four years ago we couldn't beat France, but this year we beat them in the Six Nations and that shows our growth."