 |
| Nick Mallett © Gallo Images |
Italy coach Nick Mallett wants his side to stay based at Rome's Stadio Flaminio despite an 80 000 sell-out expected for the November 14 clash with New Zealand at Milan's San Siro.
The huge appetite for the first of Italy's November tests has raised the prospect of Six Nations matches being played in the north, which has always been the heartland of Italian rugby.
The Flaminio's 32 000 capacity and decaying stands would be another reason to move but Mallett is a big fan.
"I don't think so," Mallett said when asked if Italy should quit Rome full-time following the San Siro experiment.
"Flaminio is a very attractive stadium for Italian rugby to play in and also for other teams to come to. It's good for international rugby when you've got Paris, Rome, London etc."
Italy wants to enter two club sides in the Celtic League next year to boost the standard of its players but a traditional row between the rich north and poorer south has broken out.
The Italian federation originally offered one of the spots for the Welsh, Irish and Scottish league to a new Rome franchise but financial problems led to Treviso being given the slot instead alongside fellow northerners Aironi.
"I think Italian rugby would like a third spot in the Celtic League and that would definitely go to Rome," Mallett said.
STRONG BRAND
Despite his fondness for the capital, Mallett is amazed the San Siro is expected to be full for the visit of the All Blacks having traditionally been a soccer stadium.
"That has been an incredible achievement for Italian rugby and it shows what a strong brand New Zealand are," he said.
"Arguably South Africa are the best side in the world but for an Italian, the All Blacks for some reason have managed to build this brand. Jonah Lomu must have something to do with it.
"I don't think rugby has ever had a crowd like this. We took a bit of a risk given the size of the stadium but it's really worked out well."
Italy suffered five defeats from five for the first time since 2005 in this year's Six Nations.
Mallett accepts that playing New Zealand first before facing world champions South Africa in Udine on November 21 and Samoa in Ascoli on November 28 is not ideal, especially because weary limbs will make the last game more difficult than it might have been.
"The calendar in 2009 has been tough. By the time we play Samoa it's going to be hard as we will have been through two tough games but we've just got to play what's in front of us," the former Springbok coach said.
 | |  | | | Remember to go to www.supersport.com on your Mobile phone and keep in touch with the latest scores wherever you are. |  |
| |  | |  |
|
