Gagiano handed first US start
Varsity Cup players continue to break new ground on a daily basis, with UCT captain JJ Gagiano the latest star player to take yet another step up in the rugby world.
The UCT Varsity Cup captain has been playing Test rugby for the USA Eagles since last year, but he has now been handed his first start for the Americans ahead of tomorrow's Churchill Cup clash with the Argentina Jaguars.
Gagiano made his debut for the USA in November 2008 and has featured in Tests against Ireland and Wales this year; coming off the bench on both occasions and grabbing his first try last weekend against the Welsh.
He will now start at No.6 for the Americans against the Pumas in what will be his sixth Test.
The 23-year-old UCT star has obviously impressed new Eagles coach Eddie O'Sullivan - a former Ireland and British & Irish Lions coach - and his first start for his adopted country is bound to be a memorable one.
JJ was recently called up to the Western Province Absa Currie Cup squad by new forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot (who coached the Pukke in last year's Varsity Cup) and a string of good performances for the US Eagles in the Churchill Cup will do his WP chances no harm at all when he returns to South Africa.
Of course, Gagiano is not the only player who has gone on to play international rugby since last year's inaugural FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International.
Two of his former UCT teammates, Kyle Brown (South Africa) and Mat Turner (England), have turned out at international Sevens level, whilst current SA Under-20 captain Robert Ebersohn (Shimlas) has also become an SA Sevens player.
Varsity Cup coaches Proudfoot and Robbie Fleck (UCT) have joined the WP Currie Cup coaching set-up this year, whilst the Ikeys' head coach, John Dobson, is in high demand in some parts of Europe.
It does not, however, end there...
Seventy-four players picked up professional contracts after the 2008 Varsity Cup, whilst this year Gert Lubbe (Tuks), Earl Lewis (UJ), Dane Johnson (UCT), Marvin Christians (UCT) and Cameron Peverett (Maties) were chosen for the SA Vipers Sevens team that played in a tournament in Tangiers.
Lewis, Christians and Jonathan Adendorf (Maties) have also been invited to train with the Emerging Springboks Sevens squad - essentially a feeder squad for Paul Treu's Bok Sevens group.
The Varsity Cup - in more ways than one - is working and be sure to follow the success of the likes of Gagiano on www.varsitycup.co.za!
The USA team: 15 Gavin DeBartolo, 14 Colin Hawley, 13 Tai Enosa, 12 Junior Sifa, 11 Justin Boyd, 10 Dan Power, 9 Tim Usasz, 8 Scott Lavalla, 7 Todd Clever (captain), 6 JJ Gagiano, 5 Courtney Mackay, 4 Patrick Danahy, 3 Shawn Pittman, 2 Brian McClenahan, 1 Mike MacDonald.
Replacements: 16 Chris Biller, 17 Matekitonga Moeakiola, 18 Louis Stanfill,19 Nic Johnson, 20 Mike Petri, 21 Ata Malifa, 22 Alipate Tuilevuka.