Azzurri brace for monster Bok pack

Italy prop Muhamed Hasa is relishing the physical battle against the Springboks in Turin on Saturday.

With Bok coach Rassie Erasmus having named an experienced match 23 for the Nations Championship Test, the Albanian-born Hasa will get his first taste of a front row featuring Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw providing further muscle off the bench.

Hasa, who has earned 11 Test caps since making his debut last year, says he’s excited but admits Italy face a serious challenge against the world champions, especially at scrum time.

“South Africa are arguably the best team in the world in that area,” the 25-year-old Zebre prop said at a media briefing in Turin.

“It’s going to be a challenge. We know their strengths, and we’re well aware that they’ll try to impose their style of play.”

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Coach Gonzalo Quesada’s Azzurri head into the Test without several injured first-choice players, including flank and captain Michele Lamaro, centres Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, and winger Louis Lynagh.

“We have some significant absentees,” Hasa admitted, “but at the same time, it creates an opportunity for other guys to step up.

“One of the key aspects of the match will undoubtedly be the scrum,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough match against the best teams in the world.

“We’re training well and staying focused on our own tasks and on the things we can control.”

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Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images