Tommaso D'Apice’s knee injury forces him to withdraw from Italy squad – Rugby World Cup
The Italian national Rugby Union team’s 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign suffered a major blow as their young talented hooker, Tommaso D'Apice, has been ruled out of the tournament because of an injury. D'Apice confirmed the end of his World Cup campaign on Thursday, September 22 and said, “I am extremely sad to be leaving the World Cup.”
The player added that before coming out to announce the decision, he had discussed the matter with Italy’s head coach, Nick Mallett, and they had both come to the conclusion that his sidelining is the best decision.
D'Apice sustained an injury to his left knee in the Azzurri’s Tuesday encounter against Russia. Italy handed over a thumping 53 – 17 defeat to the Bears in their pool C encounter on Tuesday, September 20 at Trafalgar Park, Nelson.
Later, D'Apice underwent a series of tests including a MRI test, which revealed an injury to his knee ligament. The injury is expected to require three weeks time for recovery, which marks the end of the of 2011 RWC campaign, as Azzurri’s are set to play their remaining two pool game of the 2011 RWC against the USA and Ireland, within the next three weeks.
D’Apice has expressed his disappointment on his exclusion from the world tournament. He added, “It isn't easy to leave a World Cup after only having played a small part, but I am 23 and will continue to work hard to make myself a regular member of the squad.”
The Benevento born D’Apice made his international debut for Italy in their 2011 pre-world cup game against Japan at Cesena on August 13. Later he played in Italy’s second pre-world cup encounter against Scotland.
D’Apice was the surprise inclusion in Mallett’s 30 – man RWC squad. He made his RWC debut for Italy, in their last match against Russia. Commenting on his experience of playing with the national team, he said, “I have only been in the squad for a few months, but even those few months were enough to make me understand how united this squad is.”
The 23-year-old D’Apice is yet to play his first game in the starting xv, whoever, in his three international appearances so far, he has given a glimpse of his talent. Thanks to his good performances, he has signed a new deal with the Aironi. Previously, he played for Calvisano and Italy A.
D’Apice has expressed his best wishes to the rest of his team-mates in their remaining games of the tournament.
Italy is yet to announce the replacement for D’Apice in their 30 – man squad. The official explanation in this regard is that the team management is still waiting on the confirmation of the D’Apice injury by RWC doctors.
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