Cokanasiga can prove to be ‘Mr Big’ for England
Since his appointment as England head coach just under three years ago, Eddie Jones has been on the hunt for a hulking wing with size and power. After a stellar two-try performance against Harlequins, Bath’s precocious Joe Cokanasiga may just prove to be his “Mr Big”.
Since his time as Australia coach, when he had the likes of Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri at his disposal, Jones has always favoured a combination of pace and power in his wingers. Speed has never been an issue with Jonny May and Anthony Watson around, while Jack Nowell brings an equally prized high work-rate, but the size element has been lacking.
At 6ft 3in and 17st 9lb, Cokanasiga certainly possesses the requisite dimensions and against Harlequins the 20-year-old proved that he can finish with the best wingers.
It will be a surprise if a more acrobatic try is scored this season than his first. Juggling an offload from Semesa Rokoduguni, Cokanasiga somehow grounded the ball one-handed despite his airborne body being pushed into touch by Luke Wallace. It is a skill that the Bath wings practise all week.
Cokanasiga nearly scored a second in the same manner but this time he made touch just before grounding the ball. He did grab a second soon after half-time following an excellent show and go by flyhalf Freddie Burns.
“Joe was sensational,” Todd Blackadder, Bath’s director of rugby, said. “Not only in his finishing, but his work-rate off the ball and his carries, he really stood up. We know what he is capable of and he showed all of that. He has some special qualities.”
Born in Fiji, Cokanasiga moved to England when he was three before spending time in Germany and Brunei, with his father part of the Royal Logistic Corps. He is already established on Jones’s radar, having taken him on the 2017 tour to Argentina and then including him in the most recent training camp. Given his age, there are doubts over his maturity and the message from both Jones and Blackadder has been to up his work-rate.
“My main aim was just to get involved more and I feel like I did that,” said Cokanasiga, who finished with 151 metres made, five defenders beaten and five clean breaks. “There’s still a lot to improve on. Eddie has given me aims. Getting hands on the ball, like Todd was saying, work hard and work smart.”
Zach Mercer matched Cokanasiga’s two-try haul with a standout performance at No 8 and is also pushing for a call-up, although size in this case may count against him.
Having built a 37-18 lead by the hour, Bath nearly capitulated with the concession of two late tries but just about held on to secure their first victory of the season.