MCKEE DENOUNCES HEMISPHERE ‘SELF-INTEREST’
COKANASIGA — FROM DANCER TO RWC
JOE Cokanasiga was part of a Fijian dance troupe who performed on the pitch before Stuart Lancaster’s side’s opener against the Islanders, posing for photographs with fans who were unaware that a future England star was in their midst.
Joe may have left Fiji as a three-year-old, but Ilaitia makes sure both his sons remember that heritage.
“Dad always reminds Joe that when he represents England, he is also a Fijian and not to forget his roots,” says Phil.
“He told us to back ourselves because we are very different to most players.
“A big thing was confidence and to always think that — I know that it sounds big-headed — we are the best on the field, because it brings out the best in us.” Touchline fathers always tend to think their sons are the best.
It is something when the players who had to compete against that same offspring for a starting spot agree.
Ojo has played almost 200 top-flight games as well as lining up opposite All Black hotstepper Sitiveni Sivivatu in one of his two England appearances.
Can he remember playing with or against anyone like Cokanasiga?
“I played against Alessana Tuilagi a lot. He was a big physical carrier, but he would likely run straight at you,” Ojo said. “Then there are guys like Sinoti Sinoti who have a vicious step, but not that offload threat — whereas Joe offloads like Leone Nakarawa.
“That was the thing that stood out of me when I first saw him.
“He could carry the ball so easily in one hand — that was not something that you would teach to kids and it gave him an extra threat.”