Italy's preparations for their final autumn test match against the Pacific Islands have been hit hard forcing coach Nick Mallett to delay the team's announcement due to the number of players carrying injuries.

One player almost guaranteed a starting place at Reggio Emilia on Saturday is Andrea Masi. The Biarritz utility back began the tests against Australia and Argentina at fullback, having played flyhalf, centre and wing in the past.

He was man of the match against Australia, but let his performance slip against Santiago Phelan's team and realises that he might need to switch positions.

The 27 year-old said: "We have a number of injuries in our group, so much so that not even our players know the starting line-up.

"I still don't know if I will play fullback again or some other position. The important thing, no matter the difficulties we found against Argentina, will be that we are all determined to finish with a win."

The 22-14 defeat to Argentina in Turin was a big let down for Nick Mallett's team after an impressive display against Robbie Deans' Australia side.

It was Masi who scored a late try against Argentina but he knows the team cannot let it gloss over their shortcomings, especially with the quality that the Pacific Islands have in their ranks.

"Their qualities are the (same) things that distinguish the Fijian, Tongan and Samoan style of play.

"(That is) Lots of physicality and open and spectacular play. Playing against them is never easy for anyone."

Masi's fellow back Mirco Bergamasco said that Italy need to put the lessons handed out by Argentina into practice when they meet Quddus Fielea's team in Reggio Emilia on Saturday.

"You need to develop, even in defeat and get it right in the next match. Against Argentina we needed to play more as a team. We were too individualistic, above all in contact."

Bergamasco, who lined up on the wing against Australia and Argentina, is likely to return to the centre where his fierce defence has been missed.

As one of the more experienced back-line players, Stade Francais' Bergamasco will be expected to take on greater responsibility, a factor he believes was missing in the defeat to Argentina.

"We let them play their game. Instead of injecting order, we joined in their disorder. For this you pay dearly and it is not easy to get out of."

AFP

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