Rugby League World Cup Preview: Italy

At The Sporting Base, we will be previewing all 16 Rugby League World Cup nations ahead of the men’s tournament’s kick-off on 15 October. In the seventh part of the series, we look at the Italians and whether their pack of NRL campaigners can lead them to an unlikely maiden postseason run.

IRL Ranking: 17th

Group: B

Schedule: Scotland (Kingston Park, Newcastle); Fiji (Kingston Park, Newcastle); Australia (Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens)

World Cup Appearances: 2 (2013, 2017)

Best Result: Group stage (2013, 2017)

Head Coach: Leo Epifania

Title Odds: $1001.00

The Italians have been one of the squad’s most effected by COVID-19’s impact on international rugby league fixtures in recent times with the Azzuri having not played in almost three years.

A vast majority of their stars have not appeared for the side since their 2017 World Cup campaign.

Their last international outing was a 25-4 European Qualifiers loss to Ireland in November of 2019 in Dublin.

Their World Cup will kick-off in Newcastle where they will face a spirited Scotland side before clashes against heavyweights Fiji and Australia.

Their clash against the Bravehearts should be a competitive affair which they will circle as winnable before having their work cut out for them against Fiji and Australia.

James Tedesco’s likely defection to Australia is a major blow for the Italians after he opted to represent his heritage at the 2013 and 2017 World Cups.

Their squad, however, should still be made up of a collection of NRL and Super League campaigners as well as some experienced lower-graders.

Canterbury prop Paul Vaughan is expected to put his hand up for a third World Cup run with the Azzuri whilst Eels lock Nathan Brown and Toulouse prop Daniel Alvaro are among the names likely to join him in the middle.

Trent Loiero, Cooper Johns, and Jack Johns are the other NRLers that head coach Leo Epifania will look towards to bolster his squad.

Former-Bulldogs NYC skipper Joey Tramontana is expected to win the race for the hooking role with London Broncos star Dean Parata a solid depth option whilst incumbent halfback Jack Campagnolo and Sunshine Coast Falcons playmaker Daniel Atkinson will be among the names potentially vying for a halves spot alongside Cooper Johns.

Sunshine Coast Falcons teammates Luke Polselli and Jake Maizen will be competing for spots in the backline along with veterans Richard Lepori, Nathan Milone, and James Saltonstall.

A collection of players will be considered as the coaching staff craft their forward depth including former-skipper and Keighley prop Brenden Santi, Eels NSW Cup campaigner Luca Moretti, Panthers NSW Cup lock Alec Susino, Blacktown Workers back-rower Luke Hodge and brothers Adam and Brad Fearnley, as well as Championship campaigners Ryan King, Anton Iaria, and Ronny Palumbo. Several junior standouts may also travel with the team.

Italy’s biggest clash of the tournament will be their opener against Scotland with an advancement past the group stage likely too big of a goal unless they can upset Fiji or Australia and dispatch of Scotland.

Regardless, there is nice collection of talent among the squad for this World Cup who will dream of leading the Azzuri to their maiden World Cup postseason appearance.

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