Rugby-New Italy skipper Lamaro hopes to make good impression in autumn matches

Oct 26 (Reuters) – New Italy captain Michele Lamaro said on Tuesday he was relishing their autumn internationals meeting with New Zealand as it offered his side a chance to test themselves against one of the best teams in the world.

Italy, who finished bottom of the Six Nations with five defeats, take on New Zealand in Rome on Nov. 6, before further tests against Argentina in Treviso on Nov. 13 and Uruguay in Parma on Nov. 20.

“The All Blacks are obviously one of the best teams in the world. Argentina didn’t have the best Rugby Championship and I’m 100% sure they will come here to give their best. Those will be the two main games for us,” Lamaro told reporters.

“We want to really prove ourselves against the best and Uruguay will be the test where we can fail.”

Coach Kieran Crowley, who will take charge of the Azzurri for the first time when they face the All Blacks, named Lamaro as captain for their upcoming matches with the flanker taking over from Luca Bigi.

Lamaro, 23, who has seven caps for Italy, said that he hoped to lead by example having captained his country at the Under-17, Under-18 and Under-20 levels.

“The main thing is to show the others the way to do things. Being an example is important but that it has to be supported by work,” Lamaro said.

“I always prefer to let the others speak sometimes and if there is something really important to say, I say that part.

“I delegate a lot. But obviously when there’s time to do something well, I’m the first one that wants to.”

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Angus MacSwan)

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