Well, I think it unlikely we're going to agree on this topic
Looking at the results is one thing, watching the play is another. There are also other factors to consider; whilst Italy try to improve the other teams do not stand still, they are also constantly striving to improve their play. Italy used to only have 50 minutes of rugby in them and then collapse at the end of the game; that problem is largely resolved. Entering the group stage of this World Cup, there are realistically two games for Italy to win, and two against likely finalists of the tournament. Italy have won both "winnable" games for them at this stage of their journey.
Getting destroyed by the All Blacks was a disaster, and there could be another big blow for them against France tomorrow night with France having a fantastic squad. But then it's also worth noting that it took France a good amount of time to win their first 5 nations match when they joined the tournament too, and the persistence paid off
It'd be nice to see Italy learn something from the All Blacks game, and come out with a more realistic approach against France, but it's hard to envisage any score that isn't still a France win by a large margin.
In any case, I'm looking forward to the knockout stages without Italy but happily with a good stash of homebrew. Cheers!
)
