Months off the pitch due to injury, the Benetton forward talks about the preseason “There are many things outside the” comfort zone “and it’s a positive surprise”
/ Treviso
It’s time for Benetton Rugby to take a breather. After three hard weeks of work in the heat of Ghirada, interspersed with traditional team building on Wednesdays (the last one was organized in Malamocco with a boat race), the team will now rest until Wednesday 11. It will return to training on the 12th. and 13 before resuming after Ferragosto, Monday 16. The exchange of views and information with England coach Eddie Jones, who was visiting Treviso this week, was also fruitful.
On Tuesday 12, among other things, the six young people of the under 20 (Lorenzo Cannone, Nicola Piantella, Lorenzo Pani, Tommaso Menoncello, Alessandro Garbisi and Filippo Drago) return to the base who, after having played in the Six Nations category, return to the base even if in reality they will only be available when training resumes. Preparation will continue until 17 September, when the Lions will be on stage in Edinburgh for the first pre-season friendly against the Scots. In truth, the company is organizing a second friendly match, this time against a national team to be defined, to be played in Monigo, also before the awaited first edition of the Union Rugby Championship starts, on Friday 24 September, which will end on Saturday 25 June. 2022.
The Italian-Scottish group of four, we recall, includes, in addition to Benetton, Edinbugh, the Glasgow Warriors and the Zebre.
But let’s go back to today: the third line Marco Lazzaroni, one of the veterans, talks about this preparation.
«The preseason this year was a good news, a positive surprise. There are so many things outside ours comfort zone, so in some ways it is an innovative pre-season. The group is responding well to the various workouts, intensity and volumes proposed. We are very energized in how the weeks are facing each other, there are excellent vibrations ».
How are the new arrivals and especially the younger players integrating?
“Young people are also working hard, with humility and are always ready to listen. The level is very high among everyone and it is really nice to work with young guys of this level ».
How is the acclimatization proceeding with the new technical staff headed by Marco Bortolami?
«I can say that the technical staff is of the highest level. We are seeing new, different proposals that aim to make a difference in the league starting from now, that is, from the pre-season ».
He was out for months due to injury. How are you now?
“I’m fine, I’m happy. The technical, athletic and medical staff did a great job to get me back in shape as soon as possible, without rushing the times. I have responded well to therapy and training and am happy with how I dealt with the injury. Today I’m very excited, due to the fact that I haven’t played with Benetton for quite a while and therefore I can’t wait to start the new championship ».
He has been at Benetton since 2015 and has seen the development of the Pro14, which has now transformed into Urc. What do you think of the new tournament with the four South Africans?
«Yes, I have been here for a few years and I have seen the succession and evolution of the championship. I must say that we are moving towards an interesting formula. Even with the fact that we will no longer play simultaneously with the national team, during the 6 Nations, it is something that will spice up the championship. It is something that pleases me because they are raising the level of the championship, safeguarding the players. And also the club that saw several national teams go away. It is very pleased that the organization safeguards the players, the safety and well-being of the athletes. Over the years we have seen a strong evolution towards this aspect ». ––
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