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Italy front rowers primed for USA battle

Monday 26 September 2011, 12:41PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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NELSON

Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini is well aware of the responsibility on his shoulders when Italy meet USA at Trafalgar Park on Tuesday.

The Azzurri need to beat the Americans in order to go into their final pool match against Ireland with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

Having secured one bonus point with a nine-try 53-17 victory over Russia in their previous performance, Italy are targeting another against USA when first-phase ball will be key.

As such, Ghiraldini knows his side will have to continue their improved showing in the lineout. Against Australia Italy lost three of their nine throws, but in the match with Russia, won eight from nine.

"Against Russia our first-phase ball was much improved and we must continue to improve against the USA as it will be crucial for us," Ghiraldini said.

"We need to be efficient at the lineout and be aware that they like to take quick throws."

Rampaging captain

With the USA pack led by their rampaging captain Todd Clever, Italy know whichever side gain the upper hand will take a big step towards victory.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has picked an experienced pack that features a hardened front row of Ghiraldini between props Martin Castrogiovanni and Salvatore Perugini, the aim being to subdue the USA forwards.

So far Italy's pack has impressed, but they know they need to keep on improving.

"We have to be ready for a tough match and we have to remember that it won't be as easy as a lot of people are making it out to be," Castrogiovanni said.

"They rested their best players against Australia to be ready for this match. They want to win their second match at a World Cup, because it is something they have never done before."

Confidence boost

In the backs, Mallett has recalled his first-choice centre pairing of Gonzalo Canale and Gonzalo Garcia, with Tommaso Benvenuti, the two-try hero of the win over Russia, back on one wing and Mirco Bergamasco on the other.

Captain Sergio Parisse and Mauro Bergamasco keep their places in the team, and Ghiraldini is confident Italy can continue to play the multi-phase attacking style that accounted for Russia.

"I think we have a team that is more than capable of scoring with the ball in hand and not just through the forwards," Ghiraldini said.

"We showed that against Russia and we have to continue doing this. We showed in the Six Nations that we can play well with the ball in hand, but our set-piece ball has to be good to give our backs the chance to attack."