Time to move on, says Italy's captain

Italy achieved their greatest result earlier this year when they came from behind to beat France 22-21 and earn their first win over their trans-Alpine neighbours in the Six Nations.

It was a day in which Sergio Parisse inspired the Azzurri, and with Italy set to start their Rugby World Cup 2011 campaign against Australia on Sunday, their captain, number 8 and talisman believes it is time to consign that day to history.

"We don't want to talk too much about that win over France," Parisse said. "It was a great win and an historic occasion for Italian rugby, but we have to put it behind us."

Parisse is at his third Rugby World Cup after playing in Australia in 2003 and France in 2007. Both times Italy's aim was to reach the quarter-finals, but they twice came up short.

Positive approach

On both occasions Italy began terribly. In Australia they lost 70-7 to New Zealand and four years later they were beaten 76-14 by the same team.

With Italy never having beaten Australia, Parisse is well aware it is important to begin with a strong performance, no matter the result.

"It will be a very tough match and we need to have the right mental approach from the start and stick to our game plan," Parisse said. "We want to go in with as positive an approach as possible.

"We want to play well against Australia, but we have to remember that the World Cup is not about just one match. We have three others afterwards and it is important that we start well."