The parade of the two teams in the city. Zatta believes it: «The fans? It will look like 5,000 “Goosen feels the air of a derby:” They focus on the fray, we are very ready “
/ TREVISO
The South Africans with their noses upwards to admire the Palazzo dei Trecento and the Civic Tower, the Lions at a safe distance (the bull to be respected) only to see Conry Els embrace all his former companions. The presentation of the Rainbow final yesterday in the heart of the current Italian (and this time also European) capital of rugby last night could not have had a better location. “A final not by chance here in Treviso – underlined the mayor Mario Conte, wearing a Benetton shirt – this sport teaches us extraordinary values every day, how to pass the ball to those who are behind”. Nice blow for Fir Veneto president Sandro Trevisan, who spoke of “a historic moment for our entire movement”. And while the Treviso people peeped out to see the Blue Bulls as well as, of course, their favorites, there was Amerino Zatta in pole position: «I’m sure the 1250 fans will make themselves feel like 5,000». And then the greetings from the CEO of Pro 14, Martin Anayi, and the president of the Bulls, Willem Strauss. In the end, mutual exchange of shirts and plates, like a self-respecting pre-match, with great fair play (and God forbid) on both sides. And now the word to Monigo, for the third time we still have to wait.
In fact, the preparation of Benetton ended yesterday, with training carried out in Monigo, rest today and finishing tomorrow before the highly anticipated Rainbow Cup final, which will kick off at 6.30 pm on Saturday. “I would say that the training went well – comments the South African Marius Goosen, the defense coach – the heat feels naturally, in South Africa now we are heading towards winter but I don’t think that for the Bulls it is a problem, they are used to playing. even at these temperatures ». Will he be excited to meet the Bulls as an ex? “I played with them for three years (from ’98 to 2001, ed), I know them well and are clearly very excited. But I am also eager to see the comparison between European and South African rugby ». We are all excited looking forward to a final in Treviso. “I think it is a great event not only for us but also for the fans and of course for the whole of Italian rugby to have known that it would be played here and then managed to participate.” The Bulls will be without six national teams. «However, they remain a very solid and physical opponent, different from the European ones we are used to facing and who play open: he focuses a lot on the static phases of the scrum, that is touch and drive. For this we will have to be absolutely up to it in these phases of the game. In any case, our forwards are fine, during the week they did an excellent preparation and are ready ». Will having been out for three weeks be an advantage? «I’ll tell you after the game… We don’t know, sometimes it can be an advantage, others not, for Benetton, after all, it doesn’t change much, we are talking about a final and there you just have to get there fully loaded. And we will have to take advantage of the drive to play at home in front of 1250 fans ».
Meanwhile, after the first thousand tickets burned in a few days, Benetton got another 250 tickets, naturally they sold out. So on Saturday in Monigo the box offices are closed, and the lucky ones present to act as a backdrop. The “disappointed” will be able to take refuge in Piazza Trentin, where the big screen will be set up. In short, Treviso, from the heart of the historic center to its historic stadium, will be all cheering for the Lions. –