Anthony MINICHIELLO [
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Mon October 24, 2011
by Phil Caplan
A hat trick by skipper Anthony Minichiello saw Italy book a 2013 Rugby League World Cup decider against Lebanon next week, after a 52-6 win in Belgrade against Serbia in their latest European Zone Qualifier.
The veteran Sydney Rooster crossed twice in the first eight minutes as the Azzurri made the early running but the Serbs, who were rocked by the pre-match withdrawal of their most experienced player Dalibor Vukanovic with a hamstring problem, were no pushovers.
Italy head coach Carlo Napolitano was pleased to keep the bandwagon rolling. "The game started very passionately, both sides got stuck into one another and the Serbs dragged us into an arm wrestle," he commented.
"The passages where we stuck to our structure made it very difficult for Serbia to live with us. Riethmuller and Ciraldo were leaders in the middle and Mantellato was outstanding but the Serbs never gave up."
He added, "They have heaps of potential, with some big units. It will take them a couple of years to improve that much more but they played really well, controlling the ruck well and defending very bravely."
"We'll need to improve on our lapses of concentration ahead of next week and do some work on tightening our defence."
After Minichiello's initial blitz, on the back of some fine, expansive handling, Serbia regrouped and kept the visitors scoreless for the next ten minutes.
Joel Riethmuller edged the Italians further in front and two tries in three minutes around the half hour mark.
Centre Matt Parrata crossed and man of the match for the second successive week, winger Josh Mantellato, who also kicked eight goals, saw the Italians 28-0 ahead at the break.
Serbia had their moment of glory from the kick off to the second half, Italy spilling the ball, the hosts re-gathering and Zoran Pesic scooting over from acting half back, Adam Nedic goaling.
Three touchdowns in ten minutes soon after, from Dom Nasso, Minichiello with his third and Rhys Lennarduzzi restored the visitor's supremacy and although Lennarduzzi crossed for his second to bring up the half century, the Serbians finished the stronger.
Vic Mauro was sinbinned in the 66th minute for alleged foul play and the home side dominated possession and territory for the remainder of the game without being able to turn that into what would have been deserved points.
It was a performance that left Serbian Technical Director Lee Crooks suitably impressed. "It was a very pleasing performance in the context of the vast difference in experience of the two sides," he said.
"The amount of effort and enthusiasm was outstanding and our control and structure was vastly improved, this week we made collisions stick and stifled the Italians.
"We don't have that sense of game awareness yet but we'll keep working on it this week. We had Italy on the back foot for long passages in the game, we did the basics much better and put them under sustained pressure but weren't always able to take advantage of it.
"We go into next week with a lot of confidence. Russia must have played magnificently to limit Lebanon to 32 points and it's a massive game for both sides."
He proudly noted, "This match has put Serbian Rugby League on the map. It was a massive performance. Today epitomises the development that's going on here."
SERBIA 6 (0)
Ivan Susnjara, Nebojsa Zivanovic, Milos Calic, Danilo Delic, Radovan Tajsic, Adam Nedic, Niksa Unkovic, Ilija Radan, Austen Novakovic, Dejan Lukenic, Lazar Zivkovic, Stefan Nedeljkovic, Soni Radovanovic. Subs: Zoran Pesic, Vladan Kikanovic, Aleksandar Aleksic, Vuk Tvrdisic
Try: Pesic (41)
Goal: Nedic
ITALY 52 (28)
Anthony Minichiello (c), Josh Mantellato, Dom Nasso, Matt Parrata, Fabrizio Ciaurra, Ben Stewart, Ryan Ghietti, Vic Mauro, Jonathan Marcinczak, Alex Ranieri, Cameron Ciraldo, Joel Riethmuller, Rhys Lennarduzzi. Subs: Dean Vicelich, Matthew Sands, Ray Nasso, Ryan Tramonte
Tries: Minichiello 3 (5, 8, 50), Lennarduzzi 2 (55, 65), Riethmuller (19), Parrata (28), Mantellato (31), D. Nasso (45)
Goals: Mantellato 8
Thu October 13, 2011
by FIRL
The presentation of the Italian National Rugby League squad took place on board the MSC Musica.
With the presentation of partners MSC Crociere, San Marco Petroli, and the participation of Mr Dino Ponchio, president of the Padova Provincial committee of C.O.N.I. which has given its support of the event organised by F.I.R.L. The Italian Rugby XIII presented their new official kit which was designed by Errea, official technical sponsor, and announced at the press conference the official opening of the 2013 World Cup qualifications.
The press conference was opened by Mr Cuomo, who before introducing the company MSC cruise liners, introduced the commander of the cruise liner Musica who wished the Italian side all the best for their World cup qualifiers.
Mr Cuomo on behalf of the MSC outlined the quality of services offered to tourists on board their cruise liners and the itineraries offered by the MSC group, of which one of the next proposed itineraries will be to Australia.
At the end of his speech, Mr Cuomo related the words of Mr Bertoldero, "We are proud to support the Italian national Rugby league side, who will fly the colours of Italy throughout the world" declared Massimo Bertoldero, Tirveneto area manager for MSC cruise liners said. " Its important to have projects within the sporting movement in our country, in this case with a young sport but already with a lot of success and interest within the public. Sport is discipline and determination, with the ability to grow and work in a team environment and to follow common goals. Our company fully shares the values linked to the sporting culture and we are sure that thanks to the dedication, tenacity and work the team can overcome the most difficult challenges."
MSC Musica, the cruise liner that today hosted the team presentation is equipped with 1.259 cabins and can transport 3.000 passengers with more than 1.000 crew members. It has 22.000 mq of public space with 4 restaurants, 3 pools, 6 spa pools, a number of bars, a theatre with 1.240 seats and an 1.160 mq area dedicated to spa and health facilities.
Following the MSC presentation, the President of the Federation Italian Rugby League (F.I.R.L) Tiziano Franchini, spoke of the recent successes that the Italian Rugby League movement has accomplished, he then introduced to the audience, head coach of the national side Carlo Napolitano, who spoke in great detail about the World Cup qualifications, the Italian european pool which will take the winner to compete in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in Great Britain.
The Italian Rugby league squads calendar is as follows:
ITALY vs RUSSIA, Stadio Del Plebiscito, Padova 15 October 2011 (direct on SPORTITALIA, at 15:00)
SERBIA vs ITALY, Belgrade, 23 October 2011
LEBANON vs ITALY, Belgrade, 29 October 2011
Carlo Napolitano described the undertaking of the national side and also introduced, the captain of the Azzurri Anthony Minichiello.
Minichiello, plays for the Sydney Roosters and is a representative of his province NSW, voted the best rugby league player in 2005 (golden boots), he spoke about the Azzurri league side as a team that has collected players with a lot of experience, coming from the best professional championship in the world (NRL e Superleague) and players coming from the Campionato Italiano of Serie A RL.
Minichiello, confirmed the fact that he had already worn the Italian jersey, in 1999, in another tournament for the qualification of the world cup. On that occasion Minichiello and the team didn't qualify for the 2000 World cup, and he feels that this time the the team must qualify so he can finish the work he started and take Italy to the world cup.
President Mr Franchini, then introduced San Marco Petroli the main sponsor for the match Saturday 15 October 2011, ITALIA vs RUSSIA.
Representing San Marco Petroli, Mr Piscopello, explained the reason why their company decided to sponsor the Italian Rugby League side, he spoke about the intrinsic values of rugby, associated with the speed and intensity tropically associated with Rugby league.
Mr Dino Ponchio, president of the Padova Provincial committee of C.O.N.I, who gave their support to the game between Italia vs Russia, explained that Rugby league was in vogue in the late 1950's in the Padova area and he wished the F.I.R.L all the best with their involvement and development of Rugby League in Veneto and all throughout Italy, he wished the federation the best in reaching their objective of being recognised by C.O.N.I in the shortest time possible.
In conclusion, the F.I.R.L presented to the audience and the press, the official team jersey which will be worn by the national side during the world cup qualification tournament.
The F.I.R.L would like to thank their partners, MSC Crociere, SAN MARCO PETROLI, PERONI, CONSORZIONE TERME ABANO E MONTEGROTTO, ERREA', and invite everyone to support the Azzuri Rugby league side at the game SAN MARCO PETROLI ITALIA vs RUSSIA Saturday 15 October 2011, at 15:00 held at the stadium Plebiscito of PPadova, in case you are not able to be present the game you will be able to watch the game directly on SPORTITALIA at 15.00.
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 2011 State of Origin
New South Wales Origin
2 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Origin [15 Jun 11] W 18-8 v QLD Origin (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Origin [06 Jul 11] L 24-34 v QLD Origin (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
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2011 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
20 games; 6 tries, 24 points.
[View] Round 1 [11 Mar 11] W 40-29 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 11] L 16-27 v Sea Eagles (H). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [27 Mar 11] L 20-24 v Canterbury (A). [FB]
[View] Round 4 [03 Apr 11] W 24-6 v Wests Tigers (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [09 Apr 11] L 12-24 v Warriors (A). [FB]
[View] Round 6 [16 Apr 11] L 6-24 v Broncos (H). [FB]
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 11] L 10-24 v Dragons (H). [FB]
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 11] L 13-24 v Titans (A). [FB]
[View] Round 10 [15 May 11] L 4-18 v Cronulla (A). [FB]
[View] Round 11 [22 May 11] W 12-10 v Knights (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 12 [28 May 11] L 6-20 v Cowboys (A). [FB]
[View] Round 13 [04 Jun 11] W 13-6 v Warriors (H). [FB]
[View] Round 16 [26 Jun 11] L 10-18 v Knights (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [23 Jul 11] L 12-19 v Wests Tigers (A). [FB]
[View] Round 21 [30 Jul 11] W 32-28 v Canterbury (H). [FB]
[View] Round 22 [07 Aug 11] L 8-36 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB]
[View] Round 23 [14 Aug 11] W 20-12 v Dragons (A). [FB]
[View] Round 24 [20 Aug 11] W 36-25 v Cronulla (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 25 [26 Aug 11] W 13-12 v Parramatta (A). [FB]
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 11] W 40-8 v Melbourne (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
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2010 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
25 games; 12 tries, 48 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 10] W 36-10 v Rabbitohs (A). [WG]
[View] Round 3 [28 Mar 10] L 14-60 v Bulldogs (A). [WG]
[View] Round 4 [02 Apr 10] W 25-6 v Broncos (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [11 Apr 10] L 6-28 v Panthers (A). [WG]
[View] Round 6 [17 Apr 10] W 36-6 v Raiders (H). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 10] L 6-28 v Dragons (A). [WG]
[View] Round 8 [02 May 10] W 12-8 v Tigers (A). [FB]
[View] Round 9 [10 May 10] L 14-32 v Cowboys (H). [FB]
[View] Round 10 [15 May 10] L 18-34 v Knights (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 12 [31 May 10] W 30-16 v Titans (A). [WG] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 13 [05 Jun 10] L 18-42 v Sharks (H). [WG]
[View] Round 14 [14 Jun 10] W 38-6 v Storm (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 16 [27 Jun 10] L 18-20 v Warriors (H). [FB]
[View] Round 17 [04 Jul 10] W 22-12 v Raiders (A). [FB]
[View] Round 18 [09 Jul 10] W 18-14 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB]
[View] Round 19 [18 Jul 10] W 36-32 v Bulldogs (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [26 Jul 10] W 34-30 v Broncos (A). [FB]
[View] Round 21 [31 Jul 10] W 48-12 v Eels (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 22 [08 Aug 10] L 12-19 v Dragons (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 10] L 12-18 v Sharks (A). [FB]
[View] Round 24 [23 Aug 10] L 14-23 v Titans (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Finals Week 1 [11 Sep 10] W 19-15 v Wests Tigers. [FB]
[View] Finals Week 2 [18 Sep 10] W 34-12 v Panthers. [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Finals Week 3 [24 Sep 10] W 32-6 v Titans. [FB]
[View] Grand Final [03 Oct 10] L 8-32 v Dragons. [FB]
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2009 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
8 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [15 Mar 09] L 12-52 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB]
[View] Round 2 [22 Mar 09] W 28-4 v Raiders (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 20 [27 Jul 09] L 20-40 v Rabbitohs (A). [WG]
[View] Round 22 [09 Aug 09] L 10-17 v Tigers (H). [F8]
[View] Round 23 [15 Aug 09] L 12-44 v Sea Eagles (H). [F8]
[View] Round 24 [24 Aug 09] L 4-28 v Bulldogs (A). [F8]
[View] Round 25 [29 Aug 09] L 4-38 v Storm (A). [F8]
[View] Round 26 [06 Sep 09] L 16-32 v Cowboys (H). [FB]
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2008 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
9 games; 3 tries, 12 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 08] W 34-20 v Rabbitohs (A). [FB]
[View] Round 2 [21 Mar 08] L 14-20 v Broncos (H). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [29 Mar 08] W 10-6 v Storm (H). [FB]
[View] Round 4 [04 Apr 08] W 40-12 v Bulldogs (A). [FB]
[View] Round 13 [08 Jun 08] L 0-42 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB]
[View] Round 14 [13 Jun 08] W 32-12 v Panthers (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 26 [05 Sep 08] W 10-0 v Dragons (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Finals Week 1 [12 Sep 08] L 16-24 v Broncos (H). [FB]
[View] Finals Week 2 [19 Sep 08] L 13-30 v Warriors (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
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2007 State of Origin
New South Wales Origin
1 games; [View] Origin [23 May 07] L 18-25 v QLD Origin (A). [FB]
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2007 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
10 games; 2 tries, 1 field goals, 9 points.
[View] Round 1 [19 Mar 07] L 6-18 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB]
[View] Round 2 [24 Mar 07] L 6-43 v Cowboys (A). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [01 Apr 07] L 8-30 v Sea Eagles (H). [FB]
[View] Round 4 [06 Apr 07] L 10-32 v Broncos (H). [FB]
[View] Round 5 [16 Apr 07] L 28-37 v Raiders (A). [FB]
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 07] W 18-4 v Dragons (H). [FB]
[View] Round 8 [05 May 07] L 10-28 v Eels (A). [FB]
[View] Round 9 [13 May 07] W 24-18 v Titans (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 11 [26 May 07] W 13-12 v Sharks (A). [FB] 1 Pts; 1fg
[View] Round 12 [02 Jun 07] L 18-22 v Knights (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
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2007 City vs Country
City Origin
1 games; [View] Place of Origin [03 May 07] W 12-6 v Country Origin (A). [FB]
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2006 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
6 games; 4 tries, 16 points.
[View] Round 1 [12 Mar 06] W 40-22 v Rabbitohs (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 2 [19 Mar 06] L 18-22 v Storm (H). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [26 Mar 06] W 56-20 v Raiders (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t
[View] Round 4 [01 Apr 06] L 22-30 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 5 [08 Apr 06] W 28-24 v Sharks (A). [FB]
[View] Round 6 [14 Apr 06] L 6-24 v Broncos (H). [FB]
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2005 Tri-Nations Test Series
Australia
5 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Tri-Nations Match 1 [15 Oct 05] L 28-38 v New Zealand (H). [FB]
[View] Tri-Nations Match 2 [21 Oct 05] W 28-26 v New Zealand (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Tri-Nations Match 4 [05 Nov 05] W 20-6 v Great Britain (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Tri-Nations Match 6 [19 Nov 05] W 26-14 v Great Britain (A). [FB]
[View] Tri-Nations Final [26 Nov 05] L 0-24 v New Zealand. [FB]
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2005 State of Origin
New South Wales Origin
3 games; 2 tries, 8 points.
[View] Origin [25 May 05] L 20-24 v QLD Origin (A). [FB]
[View] Origin [15 Jun 05] W 32-22 v QLD Origin (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t (15th, 45th)
[View] Origin [06 Jul 05] W 32-10 v QLD Origin (A). [FB]
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2005 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
22 games; 14 tries, 56 points.
[View] Round 1 [12 Mar 05] W 24-12 v Souths (H). [FB]
[View] Round 3 [25 Mar 05] L 22-40 v Broncos (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (36th)
[View] Round 4 [03 Apr 05] L 26-32 v Tigers (H). [FB]
[View] Round 5 [10 Apr 05] L 16-24 v Raiders (A). [FB]
[View] Round 6 [15 Apr 05] W 29-16 v Bulldogs (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (50th)
[View] Round 7 [25 Apr 05] L 24-26 v Dragons (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (12th)
[View] Round 8 [30 Apr 05] L 18-38 v Cowboys (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (74th)
[View] Round 9 [08 May 05] W 32-2 v Knights (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (44th)
[View] Round 10 [15 May 05] W 10-6 v Warriors (A). [FB]
[View] Round 12 [28 May 05] W 30-16 v Raiders (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (71st)
[View] Round 13 [03 Jun 05] L 18-22 v Sea Eagles (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (25th)
[View] Round 15 [17 Jun 05] L 10-16 v Sharks (A). [FB]
[View] Round 16 [24 Jun 05] W 12-8 v Eels (H). [FB]
[View] Round 18 [10 Jul 05] L 16-26 v Tigers (A). [FB]
[View] Round 19 [16 Jul 05] L 22-24 v Warriors (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (46th)
[View] Round 20 [24 Jul 05] L 10-24 v Storm (A). [FB]
[View] Round 21 [29 Jul 05] L 6-44 v Dragons (A). [FB]
[View] Round 22 [07 Aug 05] L 28-30 v Panthers (H). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t (69th, 71st)
[View] Round 23 [13 Aug 05] W 14-8 v Sharks (H). [FB]
[View] Round 24 [20 Aug 05] L 16-17 v Souths (A). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (15th)
[View] Round 25 [26 Aug 05] W 17-10 v Broncos (A). [FB] 8 Pts; 2t (44th, 58th)
[View] Round 26 [04 Sep 05] W 32-12 v Bulldogs (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t (45th)
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2005 International Test Matches
Australia
1 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Bundaberg Rum Test [22 Apr 05] W 32-16 v New Zealand (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
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2004 NRL Telstra Premiership
Sydney Roosters
2 games; 1 tries, 4 points.
[View] Round 1 [14 Mar 04] W 26-16 v Rabbitohs (H). [FB] 4 Pts; 1t
[View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] W 42-20 v Sea Eagles (A). [FB]
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Minichiello, Anthony
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