Six Nations pressure mounts in tale of two Kiwi coaches

ROME - There is the odd parallel to draw between Italy and Wales, who meet tonight at the conclusion of the first act of rugby's soap opera, the Six Nations' Tournament, in the Stadio Flaminio.

Both teams are coached by New Zealanders ­Brad Johnstone, Italy, Graham Henry, Wales.

Both jobs carry a huge burden of expectation. And as a consequence both men have come under pressure from a success-starved public and hard-pressed administrators trying to be seen to deliver what the supporters want.

Henry has had his detractors, but has shrugged them off. A few weeks ago the tumbrils were rumbling and creaking their way towards Johnstone's office in the Stadio Olimpico where the Italian Rugby Federation has its headquarters.

Defeats against Ireland, England and France brought calls for the coach's head and federation president, Giancarlo Dondi, assured the public that there would be change, that Johnstone's head would indeed roll.

At the time the New Zealander seemed resigned to a premature termination of his contract and dropped broad enough hints at the beginning of March to suggest that containers for the furniture were being gathered in readiness for a return home.

But to his eternal credit Johnstone did not jump. His contract does not run out until the end of the year.

And it was just as well that he stayed on, because after their performance against Scotland, who are in danger of becoming the Italians' rabbits, to borrow a cricketing term, all that changed. And now it is Johnstone himself who appears to be on a roll.

Italy might not have won at Murrayfield, but they did win over the rugby public and more importantly the people in power, and demonstrated that they could at last compete.

Now there is talk of Johnstone packing his cases for the summer tour of Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay and Argentina. All of a sudden there is talk of an extension to his contract. Johnstone is being cautious.

He has learnt that politics ­whether mainstream or sporting ­ in Italy is a movable feast. "After the tour will be the right time to talk about a new contract," said the burly New Zealander.

For now, he wants to finish on a high note. "I believe the team has improved throughout the Six Nations," added Johnstone.

"There was a negative reaction to the defeat by England, but Italy still scored more points against the English than either Wales or Scotland.

"Also Italy are always a different prospect at home. And we do not know which Wales team will turn up. They were inspired against France, but awful against England."

Henry is well aware of the dangers lurking on the fringes of this match. His frame of mind could not have been helped by the fact that both Scott Gibbs and Rob Howley needed treatment for back strains, and the former failed to finish yesterday's training session. But both are expected to start this afternoon.

"We have no reason to be over confident," said Henry. "It has been a mediocre season so far, but a win here would take us just above average." But he wants to see an improvement on the performance in Paris. "There were things we did well there, now we have to go on from that. But the Italian side is getting better.

"They will come out against us on fire. There has been a question mark over Brad Johnstone's ability as a coach and so the players will want to answer those questions. They have made great strides under Brad and are now at a level of competition that the team has never reached before."

It is the Scotts that have absorbed Italian interests in their preparation over the last week. Quinnell of that name is someone they will be looking to frustrate before he can cause the havoc he managed last season. And Gibbs, he of the dodgy back and Lions aspirations, is another who Johnstone has earmarked as a serious threat.

But they would be advised to remember the other 13 players on the pitch. This is a big opportunity, not just to finish the season on a high, but also to book a seat on the plane to Australia this summer for the Lions tour.

Henry, the Lions coach, explained: "The bulk of the squad has been decided, we have 20 plus names already, so there are just a few games in which to stake a claim for the few remaining places, so this is a very important game for every Wales player."

But the size of their task cannot be underestimated.

"When the Italian players came together for a training camp in January they were like an invitation XV," said Johnstone. "Now they are a team."

All bets are off when Italy are thrown to the would-be Lions tonight.

- INDEPENDENT