Ange Capuozzo hit the little guys at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: Getty Images/VINCENZO PINTO
To watch Ange Capuozzo gliding across the field is to be reminded that rugby union can still be a sport in which itinerant athletes thrive among giants, living by their wits.
Years passed before he established himself in a plucky Italy team that will aim to roll the dice by upsetting New Zealand on Friday in Lyon, Capuozzo's fearless attitude led to a big breakthrough.
When the Italy team up 20 years old played a friendly match with Grenoble, where Capuozzo played from the age of 10, he introduced himself to the coaches of the national age team.
“I wanted to go and talk to them, but remain humble; Not to say that I will definitely play for Italy, but to let them know that I am ready,” he recalls. “I wanted to express that connection in a respectful way.”
Although he was born in Le Pont-de-Clais and raised in the French Alps, Capuozzo's paternal grandparents are from Naples. Italian food and music were part of his childhood. Capuozzo, who also has Madagascar heritage through his maternal grandfather, tried out in a variety of positions before settling on full-back.
Until then, scrum-half was seen as his most likely ticket to a professional career. But he switched to a back three at Italy's suggestion and credits Stephane Glas, the 37-cap French center, for helping him start for Grenoble during the 2019/20 Pro D2 campaign.
Capuozzo is preparing to play against Namibia in Saint-Etienne. Photo: EPA-EFE/Shutterstock/Christophe Petit Tesson
Vincent Clerc, who also excelled in Grenoble, and Mirco Bergamasco of Italy were the two heroes. Capuozzo also names the late Christophe Dominici and Jason Robinson as a couple of «special» role models. Being a little tall, at least compared to most of your peers on the field, can cause a game—any game—to burst into life.
Steve Borthwick, England head coach, often talks about the «super strengths» of players. For Freddie Steward, that unique advantage is his presence under the high ball, which comes not only from technique and courage, but also from his tall physique. When it comes to aerial competition, a good big man will beat a good little man. And this truth can be applied to various aspects of rugby.
Capuozzo is 5ft 8ins tall and weighs more than five stone less than Steward, but has the other 'superpower' of an evasive and wandering runner. This asset fits the Italian template very well. Neither Cheslyn Kolbe (5ft 7in) nor Kurt-Lee Arendse (5ft 10in) are giants, but they appear to have managed to break down the South African starting line-up.
Borthwick expanded England's attacking horizons by testing an alternative full-back in Marcus Smith (5ft 9ins), who cited 2003 hero Robinson as proof that good little guys can still make an impact on the game. Robinson and Dominici, each 5-foot-8, inspired the young Capuozzo. In turn, the mischievous Italian mascot has charmed onlookers.
Stats Ange Capuozzo vs Freddie Steward
“It's true that rugby can be a sport that places a lot of emphasis on size and physical ability, and it can be very challenging . stand out when you're younger if you don't have these qualities,” Capuozzo reflects.
“But one of the beautiful things about rugby is that different positions can have different physical characteristics [that are important], so it’s really important that rugby maintains those values.”
“I found it difficult trying to stand out, when I was younger, but I am proud of myself and what I was able to achieve in martial arts, where these physical qualities are needed.”
A special mentality helps, too. Although Capuozzo is modest, he clearly has a steely belief in himself.
“To play the way I play, I need to have a clear and free head,” he explains. “At certain points you need to follow structure. But as a player I feel I need that freedom of expression on the field.”
Capuozzo has certainly shone over the last 18 months, starting in March 2022 with a break in the slalom at the Principality Stadium, which he set to victory attempts by Edoardo Padovani. He calls it his favorite moment of his meteoric rise because of what the late win over Wales, which ended a 36-game losing streak in the Six Nations, meant for Italy.
Later that year, Capuozzo beat Henry Arundell, Mack Hansen and Dan Sheehan to win the World Rugby player of the year award. A move from Grenoble to Toulouse followed, following in Clerc's footsteps, and Romain Ntamack proved particularly «inspiring» as a new team-mate. While last season's spate of shoulder blade injuries came to an end after a brilliant performance at Twickenham in which he beat 14 defenders, Capuozzo and Italy face an exciting fortnight ahead.
Kieran Crowley's side scored seven tries in a 52-8 thrashing of Namibia and then overcame a difficult spell against Uruguay to turn a 17-7 half-time deficit into a 38-17 triumph. They have never come close to beating New Zealand but will qualify for the quarter-finals if they lose on Friday night.
If not, then the last group game against France gives them another chance for a knockout. Italy will definitely give him a chance. Crowley fostered a free, expansive style, embodied in the intuitive Capuozzo.
“We have a very difficult group, but at the World Cup they are all difficult,” the 24-year-old. speaks. “The tournament as a whole is difficult. We're going to go out there and be true to ourselves and play the way we play. We will try to entertain the fans; roll the dice and maybe give the All Blacks and France a scare.”
Italian Rugby has partnered with British company Aramis Rugby, the world's leading manufacturer of rugby equipment. Aramis provides training and wrestling equipment to all Italian national teams.
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