Italy make use of Bay player

HE has not even met his Italian teammates yet, but former Grey High rugby wing Luca Dalla Vecchia is relishing the prospect of forging a career with the European nation.

Although born in South Africa, the 19-year-old Dalla Vecchia, who left school last year, has Italian citizenship and his rugby prospects have been given a glimmer of hope after he was included in the Italian U19 side which will play several games in South Africa in the next few weeks.

After he left school last year, his rugby future in South Africa looked slim, with no offers from any local unions, but a video of some of his school rugby highlights was given to rugby consultant agent Claire de la Harpe, who made contact with the Italian rugby authorities to apprise them of Dalla Vecchia's situation.

"I was in Italy for a short while this year," Dalla Vecchia said yesterday, "but things weren't that great so I came home. But after a few weeks, they phoned to say they had this tour of South Africa planned and would I be available to join the squad. So I am leaving on [Saturday] and am looking forward to the opportunity."

Dalla Vecchia, who attended Clarendon Park Primary before going to Grey High in Grade 8, said rugby had always been his favourite sport.

While born and bred in South Africa – "I only speak a few words of Italian" – he gained Italian citizenship when his grandfather registered his birth in Italy.

"I still have a lot of family in Italy."

With speed to burn, he was a prolific try-scorer for the Grey High first team last year (15 tries), but said it was tough to make it in South Africa.

"I had no contracts in South Africa and as a young wing in SA it's pretty hard to make it, because you have to be pretty good," Dalla Vecchia said.

"So I am really looking forward to this opportunity to see how things go. Obviously, long term I would love to make the Italian national side, but I just want to go through this tour and see how things develop. If it goes well, perhaps I would have a chance at the Junior World Cup (U20) next year."

With his knowledge of South African rugby, Dalla Vecchia is looking forward to pitting his skills against his countrymen.

They start off with a match in Boland, followed by games against the SWD and WP Craven Week teams.

He admitted he did not know much about the Italian set-up but said he could sense their eagerness for the tour.

"Italy is still developing as a rugby nation and the coaches have been in touch with me and sound very keen, so it will be good to join them and see what Italian rugby is all about."

Meanwhile, as someone who had probably suffered a few times at the hands of Grey College, Dalla Vecchia was overjoyed with his former schoolmates' success in their win at the weekend. Grey High beat Grey College for the first time in 10 years with their 27-20 result on Saturday.

"I was very tense during the game but that was fantastic," he said. - Neale Emslie