The Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada, at the head of Italy since November 2023, assured Saturday after his team’s victory against Scotland (31-29) during the 4th day of the Six Nations Tournament, that he was not the main person responsible for this success, which had been expected for two years.
“This victory is great, but I didn’t transform anything, I supported work that had already started, the Italian Federation is doing a good job and it is on the right track,” Quesada declared at a press conference after the first victory for the Nazionale in the Six Nations Tournament since March 2022.
“I am lucky to have a group that is hungry, that has a lot of desire, that always gives 100%. You just have to guide them and since the first day, my role has been to convince them that we can play for eighty minutes at a high level and high intensity,” he added.
“We haven’t won anything, this victory is just a step. We only won one match, it’s not a final. I already know what we can improve and I will have a lot to show the players on Monday. The Tournament is not over, we still have opportunities to do well (against Wales next weekend, Editor’s note) and I do not want to let them pass up,” underlined the former Argentinian international who took over to New Zealander Kieran Crowley.
Italy, which had finished in 6th and last place in the previous eight Six Nations Tournaments, is 4th with seven points after its victory against Scotland, a draw against France (13-13) and two defeats against England (27-24) and Ireland (36-0).
“Since Gonzalo (Quesada) has been here, we have prepared matches with a lot of attention and concentration,” insisted his captain Michele Lamaro. “We are going to take advantage of this victory, because we have few in the Tournament, but from Sunday, we are focusing on our next match,” he warned.