Victory, bonus and as many points as possible to reserve in case of calculations from a separate ranking. These are the three objectives of coach Casellato’s Colorno on the eve of the Reggio Emilia derby against the “Diavoli” of Valorugby.
The round defeat in last weekend’s match in Viadana in fact gives no alternatives to the red and whites, forced to drastically raise the bar of their own standards to oppose the Reggio Emilia XV and keep the light of hopes linked to qualification for the Final on June 2nd minimally lit. The Colornese staff is aiming for the return of Ruffolo and Waqanibau to the starters, with Pescetto replacing the injured Hugo in the control room. Absolute debut in the top championship for Riccardo Manfrini, a young talent on whom the Club is betting a lot.
Opposite, the expectations of Valorugby Emilia, which on the growing end of the regular season is building its expectations in the Italian projection, confirmed by the public announcement of the great occasions in the Reggio Emilia stands: in the team drawing Renton wears the ranks of Captain, with Majstorovic regularly starts in the center as does the powerful Du Preez in the second line. Starting bench for Tavuyara, ready to take over in the decisive phases of the match.
Kick-off at the Mirabello Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 5pm: live streaming in simulcast on RaiPlay and DAZN, while Rai Sport will broadcast the night-time match on digital terrestrial at 1.30am, with the match direction entrusted to the international Gianluca Gnecchi .
As for Group 2, Petrarca Rugby enters the scene on Sunday afternoon, opposing Mogliano Veneto within friendly walls, fresh from the defeat not without positive aspects in the debut match last weekend against Femi-CZ Rovigo.
THE LATEST FROM THE OFFICES
Valorugby Emilia v HBS Colorno
Valorugby Emilia: Farolini; Resino, Bertaccini, Majstorovic, Colombo; Ledesma, Renton (C); Ruaro, Sbrocco, Amenta; Du Preez, Of Water; Favre, Silva, Diaz.
Available: Marinello, Rimpelli Dan., Mattioli, Gerosa, Paolucci, Tavuyara, Cenedese, Mastandrea
Head Coach: Marcello Violi
HBS Colorno: Van Tonder (C), Batista, Pavese, Waqanibau; Ceballos; Pescetto, Del Prete; Koffi, Mbanda, Adorni; Ruffolo, Butturini; Tangredi, Ferrara, Franceschetto
Available: Rosario, Ascari, Galliano, Van Vuren, Broglia, Popescu, Palazzani, Manfrini
Head Coach: Umberto Casellato
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
Assistants: Federico Vedovelli and Filippo Bertelli
Fourth man: Alberto Favaro
TMO: Matteo Liperini
Marcello Violi, Head Coach Valorugby Emilia: “We feel good and can’t wait to get on the pitch. In recent weeks we have worked hard, trying to perfect our game strategy and studying the best moves to contain our opponent Colorno. As I always say, the goal is to have fun and entertain. If we manage to do this, I am confident that victory will also come.”
Umberto Casellato, Head Coach HBS Colorno: “We will take to the pitch tomorrow with the aim of forgetting Viadana. Last week we played a bad game, betraying first of all our expectations and secondly those of the club and the fans. We will look for a rematch with Valorugby, with the aim of keeping alive a small hope of reaching the final. We will have nothing to lose, we will try to play our game without making calculations, eating grass for 80 minutes.”
MEN’S ELITE SERIES, Playoffs 2023-2024
Group 1 – Second day
04.05.24, kick-off 5.00 pm – live RaiPlay/DAZN simulcast – delayed RaiSport 01.30
Valorugby Emilia v HBS Colorno
Rests: Rugby Viadana 1970
Classification: Rugby Viadana 1970 points 5; HBS Colorno and Valorugby Emilia* 0
*one game less
Day I – 27.04.24
Rugby Viadana 1970 v HBS Colorno 33-10(5-0)
Group 2 – Second day
05.05.24 – kick-off at 5.30pm – live RaiSport/DAZN
Petrarca Rugby v Mogliano Veneto Rugby
Rests: Femi-CZ Rovigo
Play-offs – III and final day
Group 1 – 11.05.24 – 5.00 pm
Rugby Viadana 1970 v Valorugby Emilia
Group 2 – 12.05.24 – 5.00 pm
Femi-CZ Rovigo v Petrarca Rugby
