POOL A - MATCH 2
Serbia make two changes following their opening round defeat in Wales, as they face Italy at the Makis Stadium in Belgrade tomorrow (Saturday, kick off 3pm local time).
The hosts have to win if they are to make the final qualifier in Leigh on 4 November and have drafted in Red Star’s Miodrag Tomic, who replaces injury victim Vladica Nikolic of Villeneuve. Also out is winger Pero Madzarevic, who has been suspended for one match following his trip on Elliot Kear in Llanelli as the Serbs went down 50-0, although Stefan Nedeljkovic has recovered from his knock and takes his place.
Serbian national team coach Ljubomir Bukvic commented: “We have had a whole week to reflect and refresh after the exhausting game against Wales. We would have preferred if the margin had not been so big because we had such a strong first half but Wales punished our mistakes. Italy are another quality side who played in the last World Cup so we are aware of our task.”
This will be the seventh meeting of the nations, with Serbia having won the previous two encounters in the last European Championship B, triumphing 45-6 in Belgrade and coming up with one of their best-ever victories, 20-15 in Gemona. The sides also met in the 2013 World Cup qualifiers, Italy winning 52-6 in Belgrade.
Terry Campese (pictured) is set to be one of eight debutants in the Italian squad having played the last Super League season with Hull KR although club colleague Josh Mantellato is out injured. Campese missed the 2013 World Cup due to injury despite being selected in the Azzurri squad and is keen to make his mark before taking up a post as player/coach back in Canberra.
“I’m very happy being a part of the Italian national team, playing for World Cup qualification is a big personal challenge,” he said from the team’s base in Belgrade. “I was curious to see what the environment and the team would be like and it’s a very professional group that has a lot of desire to win and improve.”
The surprise inclusion is three-quarter Mirco Bergamasco who played 89 times for Italy rugby union, scoring 256 points. He made his debut, aged 18, as a replacement against France at the Stade de France on 2 February 2002 in the Six Nations Championship and his final appearance was in an autumn international against Australia in Firenze on 24 November 2012. His father Arturo played four internationals for Italy and brother Mauro represented his country on 106 occasions.
Campese added: “Mirco is an athlete accustomed to play at the highest levels. Clearly the code change is never easy, but he’s been working hard with coach Cameron Ciraldo, the staff and the team and will add value. I’m sure the battle will be upfront, especially with the rain coming down in Belgrade, and we will have to be on top of our game to come away with the win we need to take to Monza against Wales.”
The match will be livestreamed on - http://www.sportuzivo.tv/v2/stream/index.php?channel=sportuzivo1
SERBIA 19-MAN SQUAD
David Andjelić (Blacktown St Patrick's), Reece Grkinić (Cabramatta), Daniel Burke (Collegians), Jason Muranka (Dewsbury Rams), Dalibor Vukanović (captain), Stefan Nedeljković, Stevan Stevanović (Dorćol), Joshua Marjanović (Kawana Dolphins), Džavid Jašari, Vlado Kušić (Partisan), Miloš Ćalić, Miloš Zogović, Miodrag Tomić, Vladislav Dedić, Vojislav Dedić (Red Star Belgrade), Chad Grant (St Clair Comets), James Mirceski (Western Suburbs Magpies), Jordan Grant (Wests Tigers), Ilija Radan (unaffiliated)
ITALY 19-MAN SQUAD
Dean Parata (Blacktown), Patrik Ziliotti (Brianza Tigers), Joel Reithmuller (Cairns Brothers), Jayden Walker (Cronulla Sharks), Terry Campese, (Hull KR), Christophe Calegari (Lezignan Corbieres), Guiseppe Pagani (Lions Brescia), Gavin Hiscox (Mackay Cutters), Gioele Celerino (Newcastle Thunder), Kieran Quabba (North Queensland Cowboys), Ryan Ghietti, Col Wilkie, Justin Castellaro (Northern Pride), Richard Lepori (Oldham Roughyeds), Shannon Wakeman (St George-Illawarra), Brenden Santi (Townsville Blackhawks), Chris Centrone (Wyong Roos), Mirco Bergamasco (unattached), Mason Cerruto (Parramatta Eels)