by History tells us that highlight reels don’t always translate to Test caps when it comes to wings. International coaches usually need more than explosive side steps, athletic uploads and impressive individual efforts in domestic fixtures. Less glamorous attributes such as defensive positioning, aerial solidity and work rate around the pitch tend to be more convincing.
The exciting thing about the emergence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso this season, and certainly a big reason why Steve Borthwick volunteered to work with him as a potential England representative last week, is that he has contributed blending crowd pleasers with more subtle aspects of back-to-back play. The Cardiff-born 21-year-old, who joined Devon via Wasps and is studying medicine, clearly has huge potential.
Two relatively understated moments, each coinciding in a game against Northampton Saints, encapsulate the commitment and competitive edge that will have rubbed off on Borthwick and the rest of the England backroom team. Here, at Franklin Gardens back in November, Feyi-Waboso starts behind the ruck as Alex Mitchell feeds Courtney Lawes. Also pictured here are the other two members of Exeter’s back three: full back Tommy Wyatt and right wing Ben Hammersley:
The leaders have clearly asked their wings to push up and this season, reflecting the Springboks blitz that Felix Jones helped to hone before joining England. Remember that. In this case, Northampton spread the ball towards the touchline far and wide beyond Exeter. However, Feyi-Waboso swings all the way around Hammersley and Wyatt to cut down Tom Seabrook:
The Saints scored moments later on the other wing, through Tommy Freeman through Fin Smith’s header, but a Feyi-Waboso effort put them in front.
This weekend, there was turnover in more industries. The leaders spread the ball over their own half before Wyatt scores. Feyi-Waboso is in search of…
…and finally Ollie Sleightholme’s charge down, getting possession back for his side:
Such irritation off the ball reflects well on a player’s character and intuition. Often, this is something that develops over time. It is very promising that Feyi-Waboso is already doing it, especially given his other qualities.
X-factor on the ball and hunting
Exeter have won this season with a Premiership win last year. Feyi-Waboso showed his eye-catching pace and strength with this try against Gloucester, as three defenders went astray…
…and another great semi-final finish on Sale Sharks:
In this season’s Premier League, which initially served as a World Cup final, Feyi-Waboso went through a number of Jersey defenders and slotted into the corner:
Five tries in league action so far across 2023-24 have included opportunistic attempts, such as one that followed Henry Slade’s interception against Sale, and this long-range screamer at Kingston Park:
Sharp finishing instincts were on display when we managed to avoid the touchline on Saturday, after collecting Harvey Skinner’s pass:
On top of all that, Feyi-Waboso was proactive in his support play. Just as Jack Nowell used to do for Exeter, he pops up near the breakdown. His dynamism makes him capable of generating fastball in heavy traffic.
At the end of December, Feyi-Waboso beat Steven Luatua – with no difficulty – and Jacques Vermeulen’s decisive effort before us:
On Saturday, as early as the second minute, he was off his wing and among the Exeter forwards, picking and going to gain meters:
Mark Telea’s impressive performance in the World Cup final, and indeed his performances for New Zealand over the past couple of years and in Super Rugby with the Blues, highlighted the benefit of a quick sliding wing when going on the ball in unusual places.
Again, players sometimes need to be encouraged into these habits. Feyi-Waboso appears to have a healthy appetite for the ball, striking a balance between holding width and dribbling.
Protective tone setter?
With Felix Jones overseeing England’s defence, it’s a safe bet that the system will be an attacking one and the wingers will be asked to push upfield and put pressure on their opponents. This is the All Blacks’ second World Cup finals. Note Kurt-Lee Arendse’s starting position. It’s slim…
…and it keeps coming, rushing in to help rally the New Zealand backline:
Arendse ends up putting his toe on a loose ball much closer to the touchline than his own:
Feyi-Waboso seems well-suited to a similar remit and looks like he would relish a controversial role in defence. According to Stats Perform, he has forced six turnovers and completed 11 dominant tackles in the Premier League since October. The next clip starts with him on the floor, having slipped over trying to cut down Virimi Vakatawa:
But, after Greg Fisilau was caught in cover, Feyi-Waboso scrambles back into the line, settles himself and leads the pace of Exeter’s line. He looks at the ball and recognizes the target of Harry Randall’s pass, teasing it inside and clapping Dan Thomas:
The leaders then force the fumble.
In recent years, under the guidance of Jacques Nienaber and Jones, South Africa have relied on their wings to blitz and disrupt, trusting that teammates behind these players will cover if opponents manage to move the ball wider. – just as Feyi-Waboso does i. the first clip of this article.
From time to time, this system can be used. At the weekend, after Northampton ran the ball out of their own 22, Feyi-Waboso started a narrow…
…and pushed in, but a George Furbank kick-pass pushed him out resulting in a try:
Such difficulties are inevitable. It is important that Feyi-Waboso maintain the courage of his convictions if the defense system requires him to trust himself. Of course, sometimes, it might be wiser to drip rather than bite. Experience helps the wings make better decisions. But England’s new system is likely to value attacking the edges of the defensive line.
There are many stories of sliding doors in Test rugby union and Feyi-Waboso, also effective in the air and chasing kicks, has broken through at an opportune time. Jonny May has retired from England duty and Cadan Murley and Anthony Watson are injured, as is Ollie Hassell-Collins. In addition, Jones may want Feyi-Waboso as the kind of wing to complement the defensive strategy he needs to implement.
Borthwick has scope to shake up his side with a fresh face in the back three and appears to have moved quickly to secure the services of Feyi-Waboso, who was once part of the Wales Under-19s . Of course, Feyi-Waboso will remain eligible for Warren Gatland’s men until he is capped by England. On the evidence of this Premiership season, however, Borthwick’s proactive approach makes a lot of sense.
