Fabrizio Ciaurro, was born in Corboba (ARG) 24 years ago and is a rugby league player of Italian descent. After many years living in Italy, he has recently moved to Coventry to play Rugby League in the English league with Coventry Bears.
After this brief introduction, we asked Fabrizio to talk about his experience within the Italian rugby league.
“I was introduce to Rugby League during the spring / summer of 2011, when in Piacenza, I was invited to a rugby league camp organised by FIRL, which was run by Tiziano Franchini, Kelly Rolleston and Paul Broadbent. This first approach to rugby league, I liked the game and ended up playing the Italian league with XIII del Duomoâ€.
I was then lucky enough to be selected by the coaching staff of the Italian National team for a tour in England. These first international matches, gave me the opportunity to start my international career which continued with the 2011 World Cup qualifying. I played against Serbia in the World Cup qualifying tournament, and I contributed to Italy’s historic qualification for the World Cup.
In 2012 I played in the European Shield, against Russia, Serbia and Germany, scoring 3 tries in 3 games. And finally this year thanks to the help from F.I.R.L. I wanted to improve my skills and knowledge of rugby league so I moved to England and started to play with the Coventry Bears in the RFL championshipâ€.
Last year you were named the best Italian player of the 2012 season, a year where you made so much progress, what are your expectations for 2013?
“I never expected to receive this award. In just one year I contributed to the qualification for the 2013 RLWC, I played regularly with the National side, I was named the best Italian player for the 2012 season, and ended up playing in England, not a bad experience.
Having been chosen as the best Italian player for 2012 is a great incentive to keep working hard, as the road that I undertook in 2011 is starting to bear fruit, but to achieve my goals I have to keep working hard!
For 2013, I have a lot of expectations firstly to do well with Coventry Bears, to improve as a player, to play in the European Shield, and why not get the call up to the World Cup in October. This is my big OBJECTIVE!â€.
Fabrizio, who is your reference point in rugby league?
“Obviously Anthony Minichiello, our captain! I often watch his matches and his videos, I want to understand how can he be in the right place at the right time! Excellent Timing!â€.
At the World in October, what do you think of the Italian side that will go to the World Cup?
“I think the team will be very strong, a mixture of professional players and semi-professionals from all over the world. It will be the best Italian national rugby league team ever. Obviously those who will put on the blue shirt will give everything on the field, both from a sporting and personal point of view. I think players from the NRL will have the burden / honor of representing their families who emigrated to Australia many years ago ‘showing that their Italian heritage is still strong! This is one thing I want to do myself!â€.
I do think that Italy will be a big surprise! Do you have any predictions?
“I don’t know a quarterfinals match against current world champions New Zealand? (Fabrizio laughs)â€.
Where do you see yourself in the near future?
“I see myself playing a good European Shield with my fellow Italian National team mates, finishing the championship with the Bears in the best way possible, and to remain in England until late November in Leeds with our captain Minichello!â€.
