Topsy warns Irish rivals: Joltin’ Joe is coming for you!
LONDON Irish hitman Joe Cokanasiga is ready to take the Premiership by storm, according to veteran Exiles winger Topsy Ojo.
Cokanasiga, 19, announced himself to the rugby world with a rampaging length-of-the-field try against London Scottish last October, before a stunning first Championship campaign ended with a shock call-up by England.
The Fiji-born flier failed to win a cap in Argentina, but mentor Ojo told The
Rugby Paper: “He was unfortunate in Argentina to struggle with a few niggling injuries but just being part of that squad could be massive for him.
“He was probably the most surprised by his callup but it was testament to him and the work of our academy coaches and, hopefully, he can now go on and have a big season for us. I think he could be brilliant in the Premiership.
“You forget he’s only 19. He’s still very raw in his rugby journey, but in terms of his base talent and potential it’s there in heaps. He’s just got to get his head down, work hard, stay fit and showcase what he can do at that level.”
England are spoilt for choice out wide, but Ojo believes Cokanasiga’s size – he stands at 1.92m (6ft 4ins) and weighs 112kg (17st 9lb) – provides a vital edge.
Ojo added: “Size seems to be the way Eddie Jones is going, which is great for Joe, so I’m sure he will have had feedback from Eddie and they’ll now be looking for that next level of development from him in the Premiership.
“They’ll have told him exactly what they’re looking for and he’ll have seen at first hand on tour the levels expected of him. He’ll be itching to put himself in the mix.” Cokanasiga may be the name on everybody’s lips, but Ojo, 31, insists he is far from finished as he looks forward to a 14th season at the club.
He said: “I’ve become quite close to Joe but we’re not only teammates, we’re competitors for positions. We’ve got great strength in our back three with Alex Lewington, Ben Ransom, Tom Parton and Tom Fowlie as well.”
Ojo expects Lewington to excel after recovering from the ACL injury suffered on last year’s England Saxons tour of South Africa.
“He came back towards the end of last season and played like he’d never been away,” Ojo said.
“When you have a longterm injury it can play on your mind, but Alex was outstanding and will be looking to push England claims.”
Meanwhile, Ojo reveals plans to extend his coaching experience in National League 3.
He explained: “I’ve no thoughts of retirement yet, but I did some work with our academy last year and now I’ll be coaching alongside (Harlequins hooker) Dave Ward at Guildford.
“It just gives you a broader spectrum of experience so that when that day eventually comes, I’ve got something to fall back on.”