Cokanasiga brace sends Bath to the top
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan was “incredibly happy” for wing Joe Cokanasiga following an impressive display in the 25-17 victory against Harlequins to see him named the player of the match.
Cokanasiga’s powerful two-try performance helped to lift his club to the top of the Gallagher Premiership for Christmas.
Van Graan said: “Joe was very disappointed not to go to the World Cup.
“But there has been some very good communication from [England coach] Steve [Borthwick] and the England team about what he needs to work on.
“Aerially he has improved so much. I keep saying to him that he’s the biggest winger I’ve ever coached - and I’ve been fortunate to coach some good and very fast wingers.
“Joe’s size is something he can use so much. And he used it today. Those finishes.
“Like the one down in the left corner, he literally ran over three guys and still had the power to finish. I’m so happy for him.”
Cokanasiga is reported to be out of contract with Bath at the end of the season with negotiations over a new deal currently underway, while he is also listening to offers from other clubs with West Country rivals Gloucester reportedly interested.
However, speaking to TNT Sport post-match, the giant Fijian-born winger sounded like a man enjoying Bath’s remarkable turnaround as a club under van Graan - having finished bottom of the table just 18 months ago in 2021/22 with only two more points from 24 matches than they currently have after nine games in 2023/24.
Cokanasiga said: “We said at the start of the week that we wanted to finish top of the table going into Christmas and that is what we have got. It has been a good couple of weeks for us and we are trying to keep it rolling now.
“Something we speak about a lot at the club is we believe, last year there was just hope.
“You can see now it helps with momentum, we are doing alright. For the past couple of years I have been here we have underachieved but we are all happy at the moment.”