Page 1 of 2

UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre ANSWERS P2

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:02 pm
by Loki
afternoon all,

After two feisty debates with the Welsh, this week's Ask the Oppo is unique...it's a)the first non-Welsh ATO and b) it's the first team we've already played once this season.

Zebre were eventually put to the sword in Ulster's first home match of the season, with tries from Nick, Gilroy, Robbie Diack, Angry Andy and Big Dan securing the bonus point. Saturday's match in Parma is rumoured to feature a fairly changed Ulster side and, as always, it'd be great to get questions to take over midweek and test the water.

also a quick poll if you're interested - where's the best place to show the results outside of the original thread? Front page or forum sticky? Any other thoughts / feedback / ideas willl be much appreciated. :D

as always - cheers in advance for all the input and q's for the Italian fans. :fleg:

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:08 pm
by Amiga500
Great work Loki - gem of an idea! :thumleft:


Do you think having two teams in the Pro12 has benefited Italian rugby and what would you do next to help improve the national and professional club teams?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:16 pm
by mikerob
How has the replacement of Aironi by Zebre been viewed by both sets of fans?

How much media interest has the Pro12 and HEC in Italy?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:21 pm
by OneMore
Last season Zebre finished just one point off Treviso in the league. How do they feel about their chances of finishing as the top Italian side (and thus getting into the European Big Cup)?

Zebre surprised me at Ravenhill this year in that they had quite a number of big, athletic guys right across the team, and that's supported with some quality in there too. Do they think they'll be able to take any 'big' scalps in Italy this year, and who would they fancy beating most (hopefully not us!)

How do the Zebre fans feel about the need to bring in 'experienced foreigners' to be competitive whilst also trying to develop young players, have Zebre got the balance right?

How do they see the future of Rugby in Italy, are things looking bright in terms of the sport as a whole in the context of wider Italian society? And given the decline of Italian football over the last decade or more, do you think Italian rugby has benefited?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:27 pm
by Cornerfleg
If there is no real TV deal how do you think the game can get exposure at grass roots level, schools etc.

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:29 pm
by Cornerfleg
In answer to your question Loki - could there be a link to this feature on the Home page during the build up to that particular match. Comes down say Sunday and next one goes up????

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:32 pm
by BR
Do the Zebre supporters expect to qualify for the ERCC 15/16 by right?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:33 pm
by Cornerfleg
Do any Fiat 500s over there reach 180 mph without falling off a cliff?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 1:55 pm
by Neil F
Despite finishing bottom in the league in both years, all of Zebre's performance indicators improved significantly last season. Do you expect to see continued improvements in these indicators based on what you've seen so far this season? And will it be enough to avoid finishing last?

What do you think about the utter collapse in Treviso's form between 2012/13 and 2013/14? Does this relate, in anyway, to the fallout of the formation of Zebre and the closure of Aironi? Is there a cautionary tale for Zebre in viewing what has happened at Treviso who, until last season, had seemed to be on an upward trajectory?

As a professional team, Zebre are rather young. How does this affect supporter buy-in? Did the history of the name of the club as an invitational side influence supporter participation?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:09 pm
by davejohnston
As a Zebre supporter how would you classify a successful year? I.e how many wins should the team be targeting.

What is the rivalry like between Zebre and Treviso.


How to you perceive the rest of the league? Do you enjoy being part of it or do you feel like outsiders looking in (given the geographic location of the team). If you do feel like outsiders, what could change to avoid that?

Is there much pro 12 coverage in Italy - do you get a chance to watch any other matches and if so what would be your favourite two teams to watch.

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:19 pm
by rorybestsbigbaldnoggin
One of the more fanciful ideas floated during the recent round of European rugby crisis was the abolition of the Pro12 and the redistribution of the teams into:

a British & Irish league, and;
an expanded French Top14 which would include 2 Italian teams.


What would you think of that?


[For other posters here: can anyone else find the link to the article suggesting this? Mac (if i even made the 'What the Papers Say' thread?) The B&I league was a pigs-might-fly suggestion whereby each team played their derby rivals multiple times and other teams once, similar to the Super Rugby conference.]

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 2:42 pm
by justinr73
To many stickies spoil the broth!

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 3:57 pm
by BaggyTrousers
With Treviso losing all their better players to other teams, Zebre look well placed to finish above them. Which other teams do they feel they can finish above?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:27 pm
by Ithryn
What are Zebres youth systems like, do they tie into local schools/clubs well?

Re: UAFC Ask the Opposition - Zebre (inc Poll)

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:28 pm
by Russ
I like Zebre. Do they like me back?