Luca Maciga / BELLUNO
Farewell to Biella and suitcases ready to go and drive the CSKA Moscow. Aldo Birchall, an old acquaintance of Rugby Belluno, began a truly stimulating experience. Villa Montalban was the springboard for a highly respected career, first as a player and now as a coach.
Birchall had arrived in the Dolomites at a young age and in Belluno he met the love of his life, his wife Evelyn, who gave him his daughter Alice and who now, having moved from Biella to Viadana, where Birchall has a house, will follow in Russia.
Its showcase, between Calvisano and Viadana, boasts a Scudetto, a Coppa Italia, a Supercoppa Italia and a Trophy of Excellence. Having dual citizenship, English and Italian, he also collected some appearances in the blue jersey.
The third English line arrived in Belluno at the age of 21. Those were the times of the A2 series and New Zealanders also played in the yellow and blue jersey. And with Belluno Birchall has a special bond that continues even since he earned his coaching license. During the lockdown, for example, he held a match on the net illustrating his defense tactics.
From his words emerge the emotions experienced on the banks of the Piave. «I arrived in March 2000 and I have wonderful memories of Belluno. I was from Manchester and when I arrived I saw these beautiful mountains. Belluno was in A2, with a nice group of guys. I was one of the youngest ».
Which players do you remember most?
«I’ll name a few. I am still in contact with Alessio Dal Pont and we often talk technically. Then there are Nicola Dal Pont, Vittorio Zollet and Gianluca Giacon. The latter, who was a few years older than me, despite a few injuries and ailments, made the difference. There was also Max Savelli, a great player who was deployed in the role of center. Among the foreigners I remember the New Zealanders Brent Comis, Daniel Hitchcock and Steve Harbot and Robert Carlos, who also arrived in March from England ».
How did that championship go?
«We were saved on the last day, in the direct confrontation with Colleferro. No one had ever won in that field that season. We were trained by Massimo “Mino” Lunardon and Vittorio Rossi, two good technicians. Mino, a wonderful person, spoke English well and helped us foreigners a lot. There were many young players in the group ».
Once he left Belluno, he got some good results. Which are the most important and somehow the most beautiful to remember?
«Certainly the Scudetto with Calvisano in 2012. It was a particular year, because we were newly promoted. The team came from a past where there had been relegations for economic reasons, on that occasion, however, an unprecedented event occurred, namely that a freshman won the Scudetto. It was great because we won both matches of the final against the Cavalieri Prato. Another trophy that I love to remember is the Italian Cup won with Viadana in which I had Corrado Pilat as my teammate. It was a special year: after winning the cup, we lost the championship final against Benetton in extra time ».
After reviewing his past as a player, we come to the present day. In 2014 he started coaching and since 2017 he has been a coach in Biella. A few days ago he moved to Russia to coach CSKA Moscow. Why this choice? What kind of rugby is the Russian one?
«This opportunity came and I must say that the president of Biella was very good and kind, because he allowed me to leave despite being under contract. On the other hand, this was an opportunity not to be missed. As for Russian rugby, I would say that it is very physical and is very similar to a half of the Italian Top 10. In Russia there is the possibility of being able to have 8 foreigners in the 23 players available and this fact allows us to raise the technical level ».
Analyzing our home rugby, in your opinion, why is the Italian national team unable to win?
«There are many factors that influence the result. If you think of the Italian players who take the field today, it can be said that a generational change is taking place. There are many athletes born in 1999, 2000 and 2001. So, right now we are struggling a lot because there is no experience in the game. In the national team under 20 they did well, now they are in the seniores team. I think we need to give them some time and then the results will come ».
Last question. Recalling his experience in Viadana he mentioned Corrado Pilat from Belluno. How do you see him as a skills coach in blue?
“He’s a good person. With reference to what he is doing in the national team, I believe that Corrado is the best in following the individual kicking technique. I know something about it because when he was a player and kicked, I was behind the posts and saw how he worked. He is a person with great ability, knows how to teach well and has a lot of patience. With his skills, I think he will not only take care of the kicks, but he will also take care of the management of the ball ». –
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