The Italy rugby coach Nick Mallett had no excuses after his team was beaten by Ireland in their final Rugby World Cup pool C match, and backed the Irish to go all the way to the final.
Ireland won the match 36-6 in Dunedin to finish top of the pool and eliminate Italy from the play-offs.
Mallett, who is standing down after four years in charge, is full of praise for the Irish.
Ireland will play Wales in the quarter-finals and either England or France in the semi-finals.
