In 2004, Max magazine commissioned me to document the Italian national rugby team during their training camp in Nevegal, Belluno. Led by Marco Bollesan—a key figure in Italian rugby history—and New Zealand legend John Kirwan, the team was undergoing a phase of intense preparation. Kirwan’s approach combined rigorous physical training with innovative methods to build both individual performance and team cohesion.
Among the rising talents were Martin Castrogiovanni and Andrea Lo Cicero, who would go on to become icons of Italian rugby. My reportage captured the discipline, energy, and human moments of a team in transformation, offering a close-up view of their journey toward international competition.