Roko rolls up with a last-gasp body blow for Exeter
Now Bath hero eyes England comeback
BATH wing Semesa Rokoduguni will hope it was an omen for what lies ahead with England in the coming weeks — a pass from George Ford and a dramatic match-winning try.
That was the glorious outcome here yesterday as Rokoduguni left Exeter shattered by touching down seven minutes and 15 seconds into a farcical period of added time at the end of this Aviva Premiership contest.
When normal time was up, the Chiefs were leading 10-6 and hanging on resolutely to their lead in the face of a fierce late onslaught. Bath were awarded another penalty but couldn’t kick to the corner for another lineout drive, so they opted for a scrum.
What followed was excruciating as referee Ian Tempest presided over a messy period of scrum re- sets — four of them, with Exeter penalised each time, but nobody sent to the sin bin. Finally, at the fifth attempt, Bath were able to claim possession and Ford tried to release Rokoduguni with a high cross-kick, but the visitors’ No 14 slipped and was stopped.
Yet the desperate assault went on, and eventually the outstanding Matt Garvey managed to blast through a narrow gap and create momentum. From a ruck on thee right, Ford sent a flat pass fizzingg into the hands of Rokoduguni, , who shook off Gareth Steenson’s s weak attempted tackle and swerved inside Olly Woodburn, who flapped to no effect, allowing the try to be scored. Once the visiting players finished mobbing Rokoduguni, Ford added the conversion and the game was up.
Moments later, Bath’s director of rugby, Todd Blackadder, quipped that he needed a stiff drink after the tension of the closing stages of what had previously been a disjointed encounter.
‘It’s why we love sport,’ said the Kiwi, whose side have won eight of their nine matches this season and lie third in the table. ‘There was a lot of fist-pumping up in the stand at the end. It just shows the commitment and the belief in our team.’
Rokoduguni will join the rest of the England squad in the Algarve this morning, having enhanced his prospects of claiming a starting place in the autumn opener against South Africa on November 12 at Twickenham. He has earned just one Test cap to date, two years ago against New Zealand, but injuries have increased the likelihood of the 29-year-old adding to his tally.
Yesterday he demonstrated some of the attributes which have forced him back into Eddie Jones’ plans, with some strong aerial work under the high ball and a couple of the scorching, slaloming breaks which are his trademark, as well as the last-gasp try.
Blackadder is convinced that he can make a telling impact for England. ‘Roko is more than ready,’ he said. ‘He’s not going to be overawed. He’s an X-factor player who is smart and intelligent as well. He’s a mature guy so he’s not going to do anything erratic. He can stay within systems in attack and in defence, but he is lightning quick quick, he’s got the best feet I’ve ever seen and he’s going to finish.’
Ford missed two routine shots at goal during the first half but recovered his poise to showcase his repertoire as a master conductor in open play. Bath lock Dave Attwood, another who could start against the Boks, managed to run around Henry Slade to score a try, only to have it disallowed.
A drive-over try by Mitch Lees in the 71st minute appeared to propel Exeter towards a muchneeded win, but they were undone by Rokoduguni. ‘It’s a tough old finish for us,’ said head coach Rob Baxter. ‘It came down to who would just keep going, and they came up with the decisive score. We are hurting a bit, so now let’s see who is going to show real character.’