truebluefan

Former South Africa coach Nick Mallett was named as Italy coach on Wednesday following their World Cup exit and Pierre Berbizier's departure.

"The president of the Italian Rugby Federation Giancarlo Dondi announces that an agreement has been reached with Nick Mallett to become national coach from Nov. 1," a statement read on the federation Web site (www.federugby.it).

Italy were knocked out of the World Cup after losing 18-16 to Scotland in their decisive Pool C game on Saturday.

Frenchman Berbizier announced in April that he would be leaving his post after the World Cup but the Italian federation waited until after their tournament exit to make an appointment so as not to upset preparations.

Mallett, 50, was born in England but moved to then-Rhodesia and South Africa as a child.

He led the Springboks to a record winning run of 17 consecutive tests from 1997-98 before resigning in 2000. A former Oxford University rugby and cricket Blue, he is currently director of rugby at Western Province.

"He is cultured, even about rugby and he can manage a group which is now more important than knowing how to play on the field," Dondi told Gazzetta dello Sport's Web site (www.gazzetta.it).

The federation president said he was aware of rumours that Wales were possibly interested in Mallett following the sacking of Gareth Jenkins and hinted this was why Italy had acted fast.

Dondi also criticised captain Marco Bortalami saying: "Marco has a lot of qualities but it seems to me that the team respects Mauro Bergamasco better."