by “I feel like I’m old now,” says Joe Cokanasiga, with a hearty laugh. If that seems like an odd thing for a 26-year-old to say, his point is understandable. In rugby terms, the Bath wing feels like he has already seen too much of his international career slip through his fingers like sand.
He admits missing out on selection for England’s 33-man World Cup squad felt like it was decisive. Two days earlier, he started England’s opening warm-up game against Great Britain at Twickenham only for head coach Steve Borthwick to deliver the devastating news.
“It was very difficult for me. I thought it was the end of the world,” he says. A brief recall for England’s final warm-up as cover after injuries to Elliott Daly and Henry Arundell did nothing to ease his pain, nor did Jonny May confirm Anthony Watson’s injury replacement in the World Cup squad.
When the Fijian-born son of a former British army sergeant made his England debut in 2018, scoring a try against Japan and again against Australia the following weekend, it seemed Cokanasiga to star at the 2019 World Cup, ever. remember the competition in France four years later. Former England head coach Eddie Jones said there was “something a little bit special about him”. (see video below)
But inconsistent form, and injury, dashed those hopes. He scored twice on his debut in the 2019 World Cup against the USA, but was not included in the competition again, and did not play for England again until 2021, scoring four tries in games against the USA and Canada during the British and Irish. Lions Tour.
It was a false dawn. Even with the insatiable demand for players with power and pace – the 6ft 4in and 18st Cokanasiga is blessed with both in spades – he has just 14 caps to his name.
Critically, however, his ambition still burned brightly and after a period of reflection and a back-to-back approach, at Borthwick’s request, he focused on his “super strength”, his blistering form for a table-top bath – six tries in their part. last four games – he is expected to earn a return to the England squad for this Six Nations Championship.
Interestingly, he describes missing out on the World Cup as a turning point and Bath head coach Johann van Graan was clearly instrumental in getting his game back and rebuilding with an injection of confidence.
“I struggled a bit getting back into the club but then you just want to play again and you realize it’s not the end of the world,” he says. “I think it was a blessing in disguise for me because it allowed me to continue working on the things I need to work on.
“I played the first few games and Johann did well looking after me and giving me time off when I needed it. He stuck with me and gave me confidence. I think that’s a big word we use. It’s all about confidence going into games now.
“I think I struggled with my behavior last season. But I realized that this is my super strength and I used it a lot more this season. I think over the last few games I’ve slowly built up and the consistency is there. When I get the ball, like I said before, I have a lot more fun.
“We talk about it a lot at Bath. The team is full of powerful carriers and that’s our job. Johann simplifies it to every time you get the ball, you have to run hard.” (see video below)
With Van Graan prioritizing ball-carrying ability in his pursuit of titles, England could also be beneficiaries in 2024 as Borthwick looks to develop his squad at the start of the new World Cup cycle.
“I’ve been lucky enough to coach very big and very fast role models but he can use his size so much,” says Van Graan, the former South African forward coach, who came joined Bath from Munster last year. “(Against Harlequins) he ran past three men and still had the power to finish. I am so happy for him. (see video below)
“He came back very disappointed not to go to the World Cup and to be left out after the Wales test. Steve has communicated very well with the England team in terms of what he needed to work on. In the air, he has improved so much. Credit to him. I keep telling him he’s the greatest player I’ve ever coached.”
His growing maturity seems to be bringing out the best in his game now, as does his ability to move on from mistakes, where previously they might have hung heavily on his shoulders.
“I was frustrated in and out of England. I feel old now,” he says. “I’m 26 but I feel like I’m rugby wise. It takes a few years to get used to everything. Going back with confidence, that’s what drives me.
“I think it’s focusing on the simple things and going into games with a bit more of a clear head. We talk at Bath about the next job. It’s a cliché but if you make a mistake, it’s ‘the next job’. I get a lot of things off the field just focusing on the next thing and not letting things build up. I’m still working on that. When you’re having fun it’s easy to forget about things.”
