Italian Rugby League Functions & Events

Rugby League in Italy dates back to the 1950s when the Italians had their own Rugby League competition and also played several tournaments against other European nations. In 1959 the Australian Kangaroos actually played two games against an Italian thirteen on Italian soil.
 

In 1995 Italia Rugby League was revived by a couple of passionate enthusiasts by the names of Mick Pezzano and John Benigni. Pezzano and Benigni were determined to have a Rugby League team representing their origins compete again on the world stage.
 

That determination was rewarded when the Italian team was invited to play in the 1995 Coca Cola World Sevens, at the Sydney Football Stadium. This was Italy's first Rugby League tournament since the golden era of the 1950s and 1960s.
 

The 1995 Sevens comprised of 34 teams, including international representation from Great Britain, New Zealand, USA, Japan and Morocco. The Italian team performed admirably winning a game in their debut year, against Morocco. The Italians were the first “new” Rugby League country to win a game in their first year of the World Sevens tournament.
 

In 1996, the Super League World Nines were held for the first time. The Italian team was invited to participate in the tournament in Fiji, along with fifteen other countries. They were New Zealand, Australia, England, New Guinea, France, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, Morocco, Japan, USA and the Cook Islands.
 

The tournament ran over three days with the New Zealand team defeating New Guinea in the final. Italy finished in twelfth position and two memorable results were an 18-0 victory over Morocco and a narrow 0-4 loss to the powerful England line up.
 

In February 1997, the Italian team participated in the Coca Cola World Sevens at the Sydney Football Stadium, for the second time in its brief history. The team was coached by former Australian, NSW, Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney great, Craig Salvatori.
 

The week prior to the tournament, on the 1st of February, the team commenced it’s preparation and build up by playing a promotional match against the Australian Lebanese Sevens team, at the Marconi Soccer Stadium in Sydney’s west. The game was won by the Italians 16-14 and was played as a curtain raiser to the Marconi v Canberra National Soccer League game. This promotion and the support of Club Marconi, gave the Italian team added exposure to both the Rugby League and Soccer communities as well as the multicultural community in general.
 

In July 1998, the Italians were invited to play a promotional Test Match, known as the Mediterranean Cup, against the Lebanese team at Leichhardt Oval, as a curtain raiser to the Balmain v North Queensland first grade match.
 

The result favoured the Lebanese team - 24 to 12, however, the game proved to be a great promotion for the Balmain Tigers Club, the Italian and Lebanese communities and Rugby League in general.  

The Italian team for the Inaugural Mediterranean Cup was:  Adam Capovilla, Orazio D'arro, Adam Toro (C), Chris St Clair, Carmine Barbaro, Damian Sonego, Frank Napoli, Chad Brustolin, Daniel Paolini, Anthony Dalsanto, Ceser Toia, John Frare, Danian Mancuso, Peter Panozzo, Charlie Ienco, Nathan Furia, Trent Tavoletti, France Gendron

Coach: Craig Salvatori, Asst-Coach: Shannon Donato, Trainer: John Lewis, Asst- trainer: Charlie Galligo,  Managers: Mick Pezzano & John Benigni

Per uno sport alternativo RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL - "the greatest game of all"  

FIRLA work very closely with Federazione Italiana Rugby League (FIRL) as a sub-committee that has been established to assist Italian heritage players in Australia and to provide support to Italian Rugby League and its growth and development in Italy.

World Youth Championships  

INFORMATION ABOUT IRL A XIII WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS  

IN RUSSIA  - 2005

The players that represented the Italia Rugby League A XIII in the World Youth Championships held in Moscow – Russia from 22 September to 2 October 2005 were;

1. Jack Borgo
    
2. Tom Borgo
    
3. Carlo Calandra
    
4. Daniel Castellano
    
5. Jay Florimo
    
6. Francesco Frustaci
    
7. Andrew Gallo
    
8. Joel Guadiosi
    
9. Steven Kadry
    
10. Nathan Mantellato
     
11. Daniel Nicastri  (Vice Captain)
     
12. Todd Parlato
     
13. Sam Puglisi
     
14. David Silveri
     
15. Daniel Sansone
     
16. Nathan Valente
     
17. Dean Velardi
     
18. Nick Vescio (Captain)
     
19. Joel Wellins
     

Head Coach: David Riolo

Head Trainer: John Giovanni Lewis

Trainer: Patrick Trimboli

Strapper: Peter Kerr

Tour Manager: Joe Romeo

Team Manager: Mick Pezzano

Results were as follows;

Our 1stround game was against France, the game started well for us and we went into the second half with a lead and then had one of our players sent to the bin for 10 minutes (Jack Borgo) in the second half. France scored twice in this period, we scored again and had one try disallowed, this was very disappointing as we were far the better team and that would have started our whole Cup campaign on a positive note. We lost three players in this game to injury, one of those players being Nathan Valente was elbowed in the head, he suffered serious concussion, was replaced and did not play again in the Tournament, so we lose one of our leading forwards in the team, he does not play in the remaining tournament games, and we get a penalty out of it!!

Our Players player in this game was Daniel Nicastri - Centre.

Our 2ndround game was against Australia.

We went into this game very focused, realizing that we needed to win this match in order to stay in touch for a Cup finals birth.

The first half was great to watch, both teams were trying to out play the other with attacking raids, but some solid defence from both teams put a stop to any planned set plays. We were down 4 nil at half time, this game was a very physical encounter with some feeling between both teams. The Australians came out strong in the second half, we did not have the player depth of the bench to match them. An all in brawl erupted in the second half and the referee was having to work overtime in keeping the teams apart.  From watching the whole tournament games, I think it was far the most difficult game for the Australians and they commented how tough it was.  

It was a telling point in not having enough fresh inter change players of the bench, having lost both Nathan Valente and Jay Florimo in the 1stround match to injuries.

Our Players player in this game was Todd Parlato - Second Rower.

We were the only team to trouble Australia during the Championship Tournament, they had defeated all the other teams and France in the Cup Final, by margins of 30 to 50 points.

We then played Russia in our 3rd pool game, winning 20 – 4.Once again we did this tough has we had our front rower Francesco Frustaci sent off for throwing a punch in the 4thminute of the game, but still managed to overcome a determined Russian team.

Players player - Andrew Gallo - Centre

We then played Scotland in the Semi-final of the Plate Competition, defeating them  

36 – 0.Not many highlights in this game, as we were expected to win this game easily.

Player’s player - Daniel Sansone - Second Row

We then played Russia in the Plate Final, defeating them 36 to 14. This was a difficult match, as once again we were expected to win. However playing the Russian team on Russian soil, with a Russian Referee and an 800 plus Russian vocal crowd, meant that we had to work hard for our win. As we skipped away to decent leads during the match, the Russian team managed to just stay in touch with us, thanks to the class of our Centre Andrew Gallo and some great defensive work from our Five-eight Steven Kadry, the team managed to post 36 points to take out the Plate Final.

Players player - Andrew Gallo – Centre

Leading Italian Try scorer:

Andrew Gallo - 6 tries

David Silveri - 6 tries

Daniel Nicastri        - 2 tries

Steven Kadry - 2 tries

Tom Borgo - 2 try

Jack Borgo - 1 try

Dean Velardi - 1 try

Todd Parlato - 1 try

Daniel Sansone - 1 try

Francesco Frustaci - 1 try

The IRL A XIII had two of its players named in the "World U/16 Team", they were Daniel Nicastri and Andrew Gallo, both our centres. On behalf of all the Management and Players we extend out congratulation to both Andrew and Daniel for being selected in this World Team.

Weather conditions were very good in Russia, however we played on a synthetic surface, which resulted in a high number of injuries, including severe grazes and concussions.  

Referees were from France, Russia and one Australian.

We would like to thank all our supporters and Sponsors “University of Wollongong and Club Marconi”for their financial support and the many individual sponsors who supported the players and the IRL A XIII in competing in the Youth World Championships.