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Bath explain the Cokanasiga England absence, update Spencer injury

(Photo by Getty Images)

Despite scoring four tries in the two-game summer series, Joe Cokanasiga was a name marked absent from the 45-strong mini-camp training squad announced this week by England boss Eddie Jones and the winger’s club Bath have now explained his latest absence. They have also provided an update on scrum-half Ben Spencer, who lasted just 20 minutes of the new Premiership season opener at Sale last Saturday. 

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Blighted by injury since appearing in the September 2019 World Cup pool match versus the USA in Kobe, Jones was purring last July in advance of the long-awaited return of Cokanasiga to the England line-up.

Having chosen him in the No14 jersey for his first Test match in 22 months against the USA at Twickenham, Jones had purred: “He’s a good player. We have managed to get enough petrol in his tank, so he drives a Jaguar and he has got a full tank at the moment and is ready to go. 

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The latest episode of The Season, the documentary on Brisbane Boys College

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The latest episode of The Season, the documentary on Brisbane Boys College

He has had a difficult time with injuries which contribute to lack of fitness, lack of quality training time, lack of consistent playing time. He had some consistent game time at the end of the Premiership season and now he has had three weeks of really good training with us. He looks in fantastic conditioning. We have just got to get him to the petrol station to put the last little bit in and he will be ready to go Sunday.”

Cokanasiga was ready, scoring two first-half tries against the Eagles and he followed up that strike rate with another brace of tries six days later versus Canada. However, he has since missed the start of the new Premiership season with Bath, while Spencer, a sub in the 2019 World Cup final, is now also on the club’s casualty list.   

A medical bulletin update from Bath read: “Bath can confirm Joe Cokanasiga and Ben Spencer have suffered injuries which will see them sidelined for a period, but neither require surgery. Cokanasiga left the field in the friendly against Cardiff after damaging his knee while Spencer started the opening day of the season at Sale Sharks and injured his hamstring. Both players will work with the club’s expert Performance Department who will ensure they are given the best rehabilitation possible for the quickest and safest return to action.”

“Our main priority is to give both players our full care and support,” added Bath boss Stuart Hooper. “We are bitterly disappointed for Joe after his recent history with injuries. He showcased exactly what he was about in the summer with England and we are confident our performance department will help him reach the highest level once again. Ben has been a key part of our side since his arrival at the club and he will give everything to his rehabilitation just as he does with his training.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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