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Smith moved upstairs as All Blacks World Cup winner Crowley take charge of Italy

By PA
(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

New Zealander Kieran Crowley will succeed Franco Smith as Italy head coach this summer. The 59-year-old has been appointed on a three-year contract from July 1 that will incorporate the 2023 World Cup in France.

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The Italian Rugby Federation also announced that Smith will move into a new role as head of high performance. Crowley, who was a member of New Zealand’s 1987 World Cup-winning squad, coached Canada for eight years before taking charge at Guinness PRO14 club Benetton.

He will be assisted in his coaching team by Andrea Moretti, Marius Goosen, Corrado Pilat and Giovanni Sanguin. Crowley said: “I am honoured that the FIR (Italian federation) has given me the opportunity to lead Italy to the next World Cup.

“In the five years with Benetton Rugby, I have been able to get to know and understand the country and its rugby culture, a knowledge that I can’t wait to deepen in this role.”

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Comments on RugbyPass

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TokoRFC 23 minutes ago
The drums are starting to beat louder for Du’Plessis Kirifi

Do you think NZ can go 6-2 with at least one player backline player covering each backline position? Ie. only needing a forward in the backs in the event of 2 injuries? Just wondering because, most of our backs play multiple positions, its seems like we aren’t utilizing that.


Don’t get me wrong I think 5-3 with backs stepping up for hard carries and work at the breakdown should be our go to, but we need an answer to France and Boks if they are can go for a 7-1. Kirifi could be that 6th bench forward we need.

17 Go to comments
D
Deepete 37 minutes ago
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

Indeed. A development team gives the impression that the players go on to greater things, which isn't the case. Most Ulster players fade into obscurity. A graveyard might be a better metaphor

24 Go to comments
D
Deepete 41 minutes ago
'Ulster, though no one wants to admit it, isn't much more than a development province right now.'

That's a fine question, JW. As far as I'm concerned the Ulster domestic clubs are faring ok. The biggest news in Irish Club rugby for the last few years has been the rise and rise of Instonians (a Belfast team) who have been rocketing up the leagues. They were once a large club who then had maybe 2 decades floundering in the low leagues but for whatever reason have really progressed and look set to get promoted into league 1b (consider it the 2nd division). Their story certainly could be an inspiration for a fallen Ulster outfit!

24 Go to comments
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PR 55 minutes ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

A contributing factor to all this was the poor camera angles of the incident presented by the TV producers. At any other major ground you would have had a better camera angle for the ref to make an informed decision on the field. It does seem to happen quite often at French grounds that the transgressions of French players are mysteriously not shown on the big screen by producers. For instance footage of a match-winning French try against the Boks in 2022 - a clear double movement - was not available for the ref to look at. Also a head-high hit on Evan Roos when the Stormers played Racing recently could not be shown to the TMO or referee for some reason. Yet when there is a transgression by an French opponent producers seem to find the footage very quickly and play it on a loop to rile the local crowd up.

16 Go to comments
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Graig Andrew 59 minutes ago
Why the ‘State of Origin’ will have a big say in Schmidt’s Wallabies selection

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OJohn 1 hour ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

You must have met him in the lift …..

74 Go to comments
O
OJohn 1 hour ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Kiwis coaching kiwis works. Kiwis coaching Australians doesn’t. Nor does kiwis coaching the boyos ….

74 Go to comments
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MT 1 hour ago
The Chilean-born centre to South African parents who just made his debut

Great story. I think in next few years this competition will produce some exciting new talent. And standards are improving, club competition with MLR, Hong Kong and teams in NPC or Shute shield would be great for all involved.

1 Go to comments
L
LC 3 hours ago
Peato Mauvaka cops ban for headbutt on Scotland star

Three-week ban is a joke

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bongowa 3 hours ago
France team to face Ireland in Women's Six Nations opener

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Mark 3 hours ago
Gareth Anscombe leapfrogs Irish star as Prem club enters bidding war for Wales 10

I think that the word desperate absolutely encapsulates Tigers approach, they can’t find a No 10, and we shall also be on our 9th coach in as many seasons.

The club is being run by donkeys.

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NB 4 hours ago
Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

It does raise the ghost of the multi-qualified again Tommy.


Nobody could complain if he did pick Scotland, unlikely as that might be. The Vunipolas could just as easily have opted for Wales as they played most of their youth rugby in Monmouthshire!

111 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Did innovative England emerge strongest from the Six Nations?

France are closer to SA JW, for RG Snyman read Manny Meafou and their better scrummagers are prob on the bench!

111 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Thanks Fran.

74 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

He was Harry’s skipper in the 20’s too. Maybe you just need to give it more time.

74 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Ofc Dave Rennie cannot be allowed any of the credit for Aussie’s best TRC perfomance in recent memory!

74 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

Kiwis seemed to od fine saving the careers of blokes like Taavao and now Lomax John. Lomax was struggling at the Rebels, look at the player he is now.

74 Go to comments
N
NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

He would not get into the ABs right now for sure Fran.


Having said that the Kiwis do have a history of rescuing broken Aussie-based props - Angus Taavao and Tyrel Lomax to wit.


Taniela certainly seems to have hit a lull in his career.

74 Go to comments
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Can 'great' Gibson-Park best 'freakish' Dupont in scrum-half clash for the ages?

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NB 4 hours ago
Can 'Tongan Thor' rediscover his strength before the Lions arrive?

I do recall him missing a bunch of tackles against Jordie in NZ. There was a big media move to get him into the WB side at 7 at that time but he was never a real 7 - more like a short 8. The Brums knew how to best use him!

74 Go to comments
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