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Italys success against South Africa was, of course, one of the most important wins in its rugby history. The Springboks are ranked fourth in the world and had never been beaten by their hosts before.But victory in Florence was also a triumph for all Italians, during a difficult time for the country.Lets start with the first, essential, news -- the team won the rugby game. It may sound na?ve but it is key. In the recent past, Italy have beaten both France and Ireland for the first time, and went close in other big games too.They almost beat Australia in Florence in 2012, losing by just three points. Italy have twice finished within a converted try of England -- in a freezing Rome in 2010 and then at Twickenham three years later -- and lost 20-6 to New Zealand in front of a record crowd at San Siro.So, they got close. They almost did it, yet they were beaten. Close, but no cigar.On Saturday in Florence they got a huge win and that will make a heck of a difference. A terrific performance was built on their play at the breakdown -- Italy were close to perfect at rucks -- on a top-class defence and on their ability to keep the scoreboard moving when they had the chance.They won the game by dominating the fundamentals of the game. How many times could you say that? Never. Even during those celebrated wins against France and Ireland they were not as competent in the basics.Defensive consultant Brendan Venters influence has been displayed in the blitz-oriented defensive approach adopted on Saturday. It was that system that exposed the essence of Simone Favaro in his entire beauty, and made the difference. But mainly Italy won on aggression and intensity.I have never seen an Italian rugby side playing with such a hunger. I have watched the game again and again and it is impossible to ignore the way that every single aspect of the game, from personal battles to more broader line movements, has been turned into a physical battle by Conor OShea and his staff.Against a Springboks side that in their previous outings showed a total lack of its once devastating tactical kicking game, winning every clash was crucial. And thats where Italy won the game.To ensure possession -- not always necessarily of a high quality -- OShea gave solutions to Italys recent lineout problems with variations. And those variations in jump, throw and time did the job.Then there was the coldness of the Italian kickers. Carlo Canna with those huge try conversions and Edoardo Padovani with that halfway-line penalty that kept the Springboks in reach. Again, Italy got the fundamentals absolutely right.A few words should also be said on Sergio Parisses new role. Every media outlet highlighted the huge performance by the Italy captain but he was not centerstage as he used to be. And that was another key factor in the overall production of his teammates. He played a solid game, he was inspirational as he always is for the team, yet he played like an international No. 8.Parisse did not overcook plays, he wasnt asked to do extra work as he was made to in the past and from the stands the feeling was that he didnt feel obliged to take responsibility in every aspect of the game. OShea made his contribution a crucial part of a team performance. It happened, with less evidence, in that second win over France but for the first time Italy fans saw a sort of Stade Francais-version of Sergio Parisse.And is not a coincidence that we could admire the rise of Padovani, Canna and Giorgio Bronzini, just to name a few, and the return of Tommaso Benvenuti to his highest standards. That is another interesting aspect of the OShea era -- selection policy was finally at its best.We all know that it wasnt by far the best South Africa side ever to run onto a rugby pitch but that was the best XV Coetzee could pick from his tour squad. Italy were given a chance to make history and they took it, capitalising on that one and only opportunity.Details? Not at all. It was the sign of a different mentality. A huge rise in confidence that OSheas system has brought into a revitalised squad.The historic victory put rugby back on the mainstream media radar, reigniting a flame across the country that seemed to be slowly dying. The Azzurri were back on the national newspapers front page and got a lot of attention from national TV. The entire country celebrated this victory.Now Italy have an immediate maturity test. They must perform against Tonga and record a comfortable win.On Saturday in Padua, the Azzurri will not win with the same recipe the they used to beat the Springboks, though. Patience and composure will be vital. Only methodically absorbing the Islanders aggression at the breakdown and winning from that a probable high number of penalties will guarantee the win. They may well end up doing what top tier rugby nations usually do against Italy: stretch the score in the final quarter of the game.It wont be easy for a team that in the past has never shown the ability to control a rugby match. But after that historical result in Florence there is a chance for Italian fans to celebrate their best ever autumn international campaign. Dennis Smith Youth Jersey . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Dennis Smith Womens Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.broncosrookiestore.com/Broncos-Drew-Lock-Jersey/ . By having more great seasons. Manning was the only unanimous choice for the 2013 Associated Press NFL All-Pro team Friday. Peyton Manning Jersey . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. DeMarcus Ware Womens Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U.CALGARY -- After losing 35-22 to the host Toronto Argonauts in the 100th Grey Cup last year, linebaker Juwan Simpson says the Calgary Stampeders expect to take the next step and become CFL champions this season. "Were ultimately working for one goal and thats to win the Cup," said Simpson, whos entering his sixth season with the Stamps. "Im a confident person. I think the rest of the guys are just as confident. "Regardless of what happens, we know its a long season. Were going to put our best foot forward week in and week out and see what happens." Veteran quarterback Kevin Glenn, who completed 14-of-27 passes for 222 yards, no touchdowns and one interception in last years Grey Cup game against the Argos, said he definitely wants a shot at redemption. "Even getting there and actually losing the game, it gives you more motivation to get back and win it," Glenn said. "Thats our ultimate goal, but weve got to take it one game at a time." Glenn was thrust into the starters role last season to compensate for starter Drew Tates injury-plagued season. He didnt disappoint, completing 325-of-487 passes for 4,220 yards and 25 touchdown passes in the regular season. His completion rate of 66.7 per cent was the best of his 12 CFL seasons. Although Glenn, who turned 34 on June 12, is slated to back up Tate once again to start the 2013 season, hes keeping a positive attitude and preparing as if he could be called upon for his services at any moment. "Whatever position youre in on this team, you have to be ready to go," Glenn said. "You cant take practices off or days off in meetings and stuff. You have to prepare and prepare as if youre going to play and start. I think thats better to do it that way. It keeps you focused during the game on helping the other guys that are playing out there." Meanwhile, Tate wants to put last years nightmarish season behind him. After guiding the Stamps to a 38-10 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the 2012 season opener at home, Tate dislocated his left shoulder during a Week 2 loss in Toronto. Tate, who completed just 46-of-63 passes for 570 yards and four touchdowns, returned to play in the final two games of the regular season before fracturing a bone near the wrist of his throwing arm in Calgarys West Division semifinal win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Tate has refused to let those two major setbacks from deterring him this season. &"If you try to alter your play based on not getting hurt, youre just going to affect your game and youre not going to be playing at the highest level that you can be playing," Tate said.dddddddddddd "You just hope that youve got somebody watching over you every time you fall and thats about it." Whether its Tate, Glenn or third-stringer Bo Levi Mitchell at the helm of Calgarys offence, theyll have plenty of weapons at their disposal once again this season. "Im certainly confident in our quarterbacks," said running back Jon Cornish, who tied for the league lead with 11 rushing touchdowns and added two others through the air. Cornish was named the CFLs most outstanding Canadian last season after leading the league with 1,457 rushing yards, which broke Normie Kwongs 56-year-old Canadian single-season rushing record. The Stamps also boast a talented receiving corps which will be led by veteran Nik Lewis (100 catches last year, 1,241 yards and 10 TDs), Marquay McDaniel (53 catches, 744 yards and three TDs), Maurice Price (18 catches, 405 yards and three TDs) and Joe West (24 catches, 353 yards and two TDs). "Im very optimistic," Tate said. "I said this before camp that Ive never been on a team with as much talent at the play-making positions that we have this year. As a quarterback, you cant ask for anything more." Rene Paredes will once again handle the field-goal kicking duties, while Rob Maver is back for his second season as Calgarys primary punter. Both Paredes and Maver were chosen as West Division and CFL all-stars last season. When asked to identify the biggest gain in the off-season for the Stamps, head coach and general manager John Hufnagel responded by pointing to the overall speed of his defensive players during training camp and the pre-season. "I thought overall our defence in general played fast in the two pre-season games," Hufnagel said. "I want that type of speed to continue with areas of improvement." Simpson will be counted upon for his veteran leadership on defence as will fellow linebacker Malik Jackson, defensive backs Brandon Smith and Keon Raymond and defensive lineman Charleston Hughes. "Weve got a lot of vets returning," Simpson said. "Weve got some young guys to come in and help us. I think weve got a good group of guys and Im looking forward to actually getting out there and playing four quarters." ' ' '