‘FREAKISH’ ROK ROLLS INTO ENGLAND FRAME
SEMESA ROKODUGUNI dropped Eddie Jones a massive hint with two wonder scores as Bath stunned the best team in Europe.
The flying wing has won just one England cap under Jones – the Aussie thinks he is dodgy in defence.
But Rokoduguni can do the business in attack all right. The tank soldier scored two at the death, one from 25 metres, and one from 80 which nailed the game after Sarries threatened to nick it.
Bath were down to 14 men, with Anthony Watson injured, but fronted up heroically until Roko put the dagger in.
Whether it will be enough to persuade Jones to name him in his next training squad on September 22 is another matter.
Bath boss Todd Blackadder (below) said: “Rokoduguni is freakish. He can do things that you can’t even claim as a coach – two tries, bang – unbelievable.
“Last year I could see why he wasn’t picked. His value to us is immense but it is clear that he needs to work on defence.
“He is working hard on that and today he was outstanding. He can’t control selection, it is Eddie’s call but it is up to him to push as hard as he can and he is doing that.”
Saracens were trailing 14-0 at the break and were unrecognisable from the side that put 50 past Northampton last week.
But when Mako Vunipola, Owen Farrell and Liam Williams came on in the second half they started to look like Euro champs. They got a penalty try after one massive drive and when Ben Spencer scooted over after Chris Wyles’ inside ball six minutes from time the plug looked pulled on Bath. But Roko had other ideas and his quickfire double won it. Saracens head to Philadelphia today for next week’s game against Newcastle, but boss Mark Mccall was not in holiday mood. He said: “We were extremely poor in the first half and made a lot of bad decisions on the ball.” BATH:
SARACENS: