Give Fijian flyer Cokanasiga chance, Sir Clive urges England
Sir Clive Woodward is urging England coach Eddie Jones to give Fijian flyer Joe Cokanasiga a chance.
In his weekend column on the Daily Mail, EngIand’s 2003 Rugby World Cup winning coach said the Bath wing shows the X-factor of an England star.
The Deuba, Serua native scored his side’s third try in the win against Harlequins on Saturday.
Jones will make his England squad announcement today. “England need individuals capable of matching the intensity of the world’s best,”Sir Clive said.
“Cokanasiga fits that bill and Jones has already clocked him. “He is big and strong but fast and agile, with good off-loading skills in contact
“We witnessed one of the best Tests I’ve seen in a long time when South Africa beat the All Blacks in Wellington, then Argentina defeated Australia on the Gold Coast.
“Those two games and what lies ahead over the next 12 months have turned the rugby world on its axis and point the way to an incredibly competitive World Cup in Japan next year.
“There was a ferocity, athleticism and excellence in Wellington that should act as an important wake-up call for everyone involved in English rugby, the Premiership clubs and the RFU, as Eddie casts a final eye over the talent available to him.”
“What we saw in New Zealand is the level of rugby that will be required to make any impact in Japan and England need individuals capable of rising to that level of intensity; players who can not only play but flourish and excel at that pace and most importantly handle the pressure.
“Two newish players who fit that bill caught my eye over the weekend and only one is eligible for England.
“Cokanasiga looks the full package. The next step is pulling the jersey on.
“The agility and body awareness he showed scoring the first try for Bath against Quins and indeed the disallowed try a couple of minutes later were extraordinary.”