Women’s rugby. Manuela Furlan led Italy to the pass for New Zealand
the character
In our oval world, while the males in the national team collect defeats (32 in a row) and more than last at the Six Nations they fail to arrive, next year the girls will travel to the antipodes to participate in the World Cup in New Zealand. Great blow for the blue of coach Andrea Di Giandomenico led by Manuela Furlan, 33, extreme of the “Ricce” of Villorba. Result achieved on Saturday in Parma with 34-10 over the Spanish. «To me sincerely, and I say this without presumption, it is surprising that our results are still news – objects Manuela – for years we have been working well with a group that competes at high levels. And even the new players immediately fit into the team mechanisms, even off the pitch. However, the qualification was not so easy, we had been a rather difficult year and a half but Italy responded well. And being the captain is just the icing: even if I hadn’t been, the satisfaction would have been equally immense ».
There you will be in a group with the USA, Canada and perhaps Japan. The first two pass: it can be done.
«The big favorite is Canada which always places itself at the World Cup, even the Americans are tough, in the last edition they beat us. But the goal is to qualify, we never play to finish fourth or fifth ».
A national team that speaks Villorbese: Sara Barattin has crossed the line of 100 appearances.
«I am really proud to have been by his side: Sara is a friend and companion of many adventures. As for the villorbesi, well, yes, we are the reigning champions since before Covid but there are more blue than Valsugana. For me it is important above all that the basin is also expanding outside the Veneto region, where competitiveness is growing. As for me, I am at 81 caps, I don’t know if I will reach 100: I am very fatalistic, it depends on injuries and on these strong young women who are hounding: I may not even be called up anymore. And I say this without any envy, the replacement is welcome, they are at the end of their career, we in their thirties know that we have to run twice as long as they do but as long as the body responds we keep going. Also because the charm of the blue jersey is always great: representing Italy and all the people who understand why you can’t stay with them remains an honor and an emotion ».
Once there were the Red Panthers, with whom she won 5 league titles, now Villorba.
«Who knows if one day the Ricce will manage to win all the Red Panthers’ championships. But when you reach the national team, the merit is also of the club and the coach: Villorba is a club that invests a lot in the youth and women’s sector. We are lucky ».
How much part does rugby play in your life?
«Let’s say 70%, the rest between work and family. I’ve been practicing rugby since 17 years: in addition to matches, there are training sessions and a whole preparation to organize. But I manage to reconcile everything: as long as there is the desire it is not impossible ». –
Silvano Focarelli