Whilst watching a bit of Japan v France this morning in the Rugby World Cup it became apparent that not all the players for Japan looked Japanese.
This made Jan and I giggle because we had always laughed at the Italian team which has a fair proportion of what you can only describe as 'not Italian'.
Names like Paul Derbyshire and Luke McClean are a clue.
I had to point out to Jan that the qualification for playing for Italy relies not on a blood test or some other such nonsense but on how many types of pasta you can name. If you remember to mention spaghetti then you're in. Simple as that. It's not difficult. The ability to play a bit of rugby is a bit of a bonus.
New Zealand born coach Nicky Mallett looked first at the Italian population and soon realised that he would have to expand his search criteria. Like most coaches he wants to win and trying to do this with a bunch of prima donnas, who still live at home with mama, was not the best place to start. He then scoured the world, using the criteria above, and found a few likely souls that hadn't been picked for their own national team and that might be able to help him out.
They are the ultimate underdogs and will forever be my first choice.
Forza Italia!
Well, now you've brought them to my attention, they'll have my full athletic support. That didn't sound right did it?
ReplyDeleteAs usual, England and Scotland made ultra hard work of it all. Don't we practice like other teams?
Sounds perfect Craig. Thanks for the laugh.
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese were good, at times they made France look silly.
Time for our teams to get off their collective arses and wake up. The world moves on but we don't seem to.