Ongaro in team despite two yellows
( 2003-10-24 16:01) (Agencies)
Fabio Ongaro, the Italian hooker who is the only player to be shown two
yellow cards so far at the World Cup, remains in the team for Saturday's crunch
game against Wales at Canberra Stadium.
Ongaro had been named on the bench in a provisional 22 on Thursday and was
Friday elevated to the starting lineup. Carlo Festuccia drops down to the bench.
Ongaro was sent to the sinbin in the 36-12 victory over Tonga and the 19-14
triumph over Canada.
Team captain Alessandro Troncon has recovered from a collarbone injury to
take his place at scrumhalf and center Andrea Masi starts after shaking off a
badly bruised hip. Both were injured in a bruising match against the Canadians
on Tuesday in which three@Italians were hurt.
Mirco Bergamasco has a broken cheekbone and Marco Bortolami a dislocated
shoulder and neither is expected to play again in the tournament while center
Manuel Dallan missed the game against Wales through an injury he also picked up
against the Canadians.
Because both teams have won two games and Wales is expected to lose its final
match to New Zealand, Saturday's game is likely to decide which team qualifies
for the quarterfinal. Italy has one point fewer than Wales so that a tie is no
use to John Kirwan's team.
Lineup _ Gonzalo Canale; Nicola Mazzucato, Christian Stoica, Andrea Masi,
Denis Dallan; Rima Wakarua, Alessandro Troncon (captain); Andrea Lo Cicero,
Fabio Ongaro, Leandro Castrogiovanni; Carlo Checchinato, Santiago Dellape;
Andrea De Rossi, Aaron Persico, Sergio Parisse.
Replacements _ Carlo Festuccia, Salvatore Perugini, Matthew Phillips, Scott
Palmer, Christian Bezzi, Mauro Bergamasco, Francesco
Mazzariol.
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