Young surprised by World Cup snub for powerhouse Sione
SIONE Vailanu’s omission from Tonga’s Rugby World Cup squad was a ‘surprise’ to Wasps director of rugby Dai Young.
The 120kg number eight signed from Saracens this summer but was not expected to be available for his new club until Tonga’s participation in Japan concluded.
But the 24-year-old wasn’t named in his country’s 31-man squad that is preparing to face England first up at the Sapporo Dome on Sunday 11.15am UK time.
Instead he has teamed up with his new club team-mates as he competes with Nizaam Carr and Tom Willis to fill the void left by Nathan Hughes’ departure to join Bristol Bears.
“It was a surprise but he’s here now, he’s trained right through the summer so it’s not as if he hasn’t trained, he’s in a pretty good place and he’s really eager to get out there,” said Young.
When asked if Vailanu had ‘hit the ground running,’ the Welshman replied: “He’s hit a few people running! He’s a big ball carrier, he’s certainly going to get us over the gain line and fits into the way we want to play the game. You’ve got to play on the front foot, you’ve got to play with some penetration and he hopefully will give us that.”
Vailanu, who earned the mostrecent of his seven caps against Canada in August, joins a growing list of Wasps players who might feel aggrieved for not making squads for the four-yearly showpiece event.
Dan Robson was not selected by England while Brad Shields suffered a foot injury that ruled out his inclusion. Flanker Thomas Young, who has been hampered by injuries during the first half of 2019, missed out on a call-up for Wales.
Loosehead prop Zurabi Zhvania earned the last of his 40 caps for Georgia back in March but wasn’t called up for their World Cup warmup double header against Scotland.
“We’ve had a number of guys,” added Young. “Dan Robson should be going, Thomas Young should be going, I was surprised ZZ wasn’t picked in that squad as well because he’s figured in most of their games so that was a bit of a surprise.
“Sione was another surprise. We’d pretty much pencilled those type of guys in as ‘could be away,’ we’re not too hurt by too many international call-ups. If you’re asking my opinion I would much rather they be there. But these guys are pretty determined to get a Wasps jersey on and get out there and do well for Wasps.”
Only two Wasps – Joe Launchbury and Matteo Minozzi – will be at the World Cup.
I’d much rather they be there (in Japan). But these guys are pretty determined to get a Wasps jersey on and get out there and do well for Wasps. Dai Young