Left field

The Reuters global sports blog

Italy fight haka with their very own rugby tenor

November 13, 2009

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How about this for a job swap. Former Italy rugby international Denis Dallan will sing the national anthem before the Azzurri’s test with New Zealand at Milan’s San Siro on Saturday.

Dallan, who picked up 42 caps between 1999 and 2007, fancies himself as a tenor and will boom out what has to be one of the world’s most upbeat national anthems to 80,000 people.

It’s the biggest rugby crowd ever in Italy and the beefy 31-year-old is up against the angelic Elizabeth Marvelly singing the New Zealand song before the All Blacks do their haka.

Don’t get nervous Denis. Next stop, La Scala.

PHOTO: Italy’s left wing Denis Dallan (L) is tackled by Geordan Murphy of Ireland during their Six Nations match at the Flaminio Stadium in Rome February 22, 2003. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

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