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It is uncharted waters for Italy. The central Europeans finished the 2024 Six Nations with their second win of the tournament. Saturday’s win over Wales followed earlier positive results such as a narrow loss to England, a draw against France and a win over Scotland.
Italy were too good for Wales in the contact area. Quesada’s side were well-prepared as their won the collisions and scored through Monty Ioane and Lorenzo Pani to be well in control of the match.
This is the same team that struggled against France and New Zealand at Rugby World Cup 2023. Moreover, Uruguay thought they had a chance of upsetting Italy at the World Cup and certainly gave them a run for their money.
Italy’s World Cup exit at the group stage was considered a reminder of the gap between them and others in the Six Nations as well as the Rugby Championship. However, there were multiple factors at play. Gonzalo Quesada’s arrival has seen the fortunes turn-around with Italy’s best ever Six Nations tournament now having concluded with a 2-1-2 overall record.
Italy’s new heights are not just about their wins and losses. Italy are now ranked higher than ever before in the World Rankings. World Rugby’s updated rankings will come out on Monday. They will place Italy as 8th in the world. This is an all-time high. It means Italy are now ahead of Australia and Wales.
Quesada was desired by many to be Argentina’s new coach to replace Michael Cheika. Italy signed him for the role before Argentina had begun their process of evaluating the post Rugby World Cup 2023 era. Quesada’s teammate from Rugby World Cups 1999 and 2003, Felipe Contepomi, is now Los Pumas’ Head Coach.
The former teammates will meet as rivals in November. Italy will play host to Argentina for a test match as part of the November Internationals. Before then Italy will tour in July. Currently matches are confirmed against Tonga and Japan.
