The coach after the blow with the Springboks: “Between us and them too much difference. We have not won a touch or an air balloon. The tour remains positive: we wanted to widen the squad discovering new players and we did it”
It was supposed to be the proof of the nine, after the success on Namibia and the first match lost against South Africa even with a good reaction in the second half: the result, however, was widely disappointing. The 45-0 of Port Elizabeth leaves no room for Alibi: Italy was not there. Difficult, also for Gonzalo Questa, commenting on such a game: “When we prepared this game we knew that we would face a team that can put us under pressure, even to dominate us, but I am surprised: I did not expect such a result. I am disappointed by how we suffered from their physicality and how we were put under the first half, even with the extra man”.
errors
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“I am disappointed, but not angry” – continues Questa – “What happened after the red card in Wiese? We managed so many key moments in the first half, and then in the second half we never won a touch or a air ball, and so it is impossible to make yourself dangerous in attack. And then we committed 19 fouls. But I repeat, I am not angry: the boys did everything in a game They would have had all the possible alibis to give up, instead I am happy to have seen a team that in difficulties defended until the end “.
different realities
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Analyzing the match, Questa takes note of the reality of the facts: “The reality is that South African rugby is still far from ours, they are two different worlds. The boys work as crazy to get closer and compete and I am proud of them, but unfortunately today the difference has been seen. This defeat will serve us as a lesson: it may seem like a phrase made but it is usually our last game. 2024 with Wales, then on the summer tour of last year with Japan, then in November with the All Blacks and in the last six nations with Ireland. With many guys to the first experience in blue, this must be considered “.
the budget
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Questa has drawn a final balance of the tour: “After this game it is hard to take stock, but the general goal was clear from the start: to increase the depth and options available in the absence of the leaders, and in this sense it is a positive tour. There have been players who have proven to be natural leaders in the absence of the ‘official’ captains: Nicotera, Niccolò Cannone, Fischer, Zulian. We played a great game, in Pretoria we played with many young debutants and we made a good performance surprising the Springboks. injury.
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