Rugby World Cup: He denounces a scam with the All Blacks?

Graduated from Journalism School in Paris. Specializing in football, and more particularly on the transfer window. Fan of PSG and Stade Français.

During the 2019 edition of the Rugby World Cup held in Japan, the Italian selection was the victim of a historic event since its last decisive match against the All Blacks was canceled due to a typhoon. Official score: 0-0, synonymous with elimination for the transalpine selection. And Sergio Parisse, who cannot digest this decision, goes even further in his insinuations…

The facts date from the previous World Cup of Rugby, that of 2019, which took place in Japan. World Rugby had then decided to cancel the meeting between Italy and New Zealand due to the passage of Typhoon Hagibis over the country. The official score of 0-0 was therefore pronounced without even playing the match, a first in all history, which caused the elimination of the Blue Team without it having the possibility of defending itself on the ground against All Blacks.

Rugby World Cup: The French XV receives a warning! https://t.co/yWKpScD5iY pic.twitter.com/RHd2J9NSMo

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 20, 2023

The distress of Sergio Parisse

In an interview given to THE TEAM, Sergio Parisseformer Italian third-line center, remembers this event: “ It was already historic because we drew against the All Blacks! (he laughs). More seriously, we were especially disappointed to end our World Cup this way. It was even violent. We were informed, then we waited for the typhoon to pass and finally we packed our bags and returned to Italy (…) It’s difficult to describe. The moment was difficult to live through. In the looks, there was incomprehension », confides the former player of the French Stadiumwhich then ensures that the All Blacks had obvious preferential treatment in his eyes.

“World Rugby would never have eliminated the All Blacks”

« We were in a situation where, from an accounting perspective, we could still qualify. Even though our chances were slim and New Zealand were clear favorites and superior. Except that with the cancellation of the match and a draw, Italy is eliminated without playing (…) I said it a few days later: “If New Zealand (had) needed 4 or 5 points against us, the match would not have been canceled.” I still think so! (He is laughing). The truth is that it was easier to eliminate Italy without playing. World Rugby would never have eliminated the All Blacks in the same circumstances! They would have found another date. I do not question the good faith of World Rugby. The body did not want to harm Italy. But Italy’s political weight is not the same as New Zealand’s. Everyone agrees on that », assure Sergio Parisse. The message got through…