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Watch: England's new 'Jonah Lomu' Joe Cokanasiga brutalises Wallabies in breakout display
England’s new wing Joe Cokanasiga exploded against the Wallabies in an uncontainable display of power running, giving England fans serious excitement and Eddie Jones a serious selection conundrum ahead of the Six Nations.
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After scoring on debut against Japan last week, he clocked up 107 metres on seven carries, beating seven defenders and making three line breaks.
He will give Dane Haylett-Petty nightmares after slipping his tackle and racing away to score with ease.
TRY! England score again with a fantastic finish from @JoeCokanasiga 💪
Tune in and watch LIVE on @SkySports Main Event or Action, or follow our live blog: https://t.co/19neQOD6WF #ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/nR9NhMUOVD
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 24, 2018
“It was like watching Dane Haylett-Petty run into a brick wall as he tried to stop Joe Cokanasiga,” former England captain Mike Tindall said on BBC Sport.
He wasn’t finished with Haylett-Petty yet, showcasing his physicality with a tearing kick-return through the Wallabies defence.
With the line in sight, Cokanasiga opted to detour so he could run directly at Dane Haylett-Petty, flattening him before being held just short by a desperate tackle from Michael Hooper.
Cokanasiga could've gone for the corner there and scored but instead thought “you're fucking having it" when he saw DHP. And I love him for that.#ENGvAUS
— Blood & Mud Rugby Podcast (@bloodandmud) November 24, 2018
https://twitter.com/TeacherChemist/status/1066366881081245696
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The 21-year-old has been labeled by some as England’s ‘Jonah Lomu’ after the breakout match, with fans salivating over the prospect. He received his second straight fans’ man-of-the-match award after the performance.
Your @BollingerUK Fans' Man of the Match….
JOE COKANASIGA 🌹#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/2TSpH49A56
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 24, 2018
The addition of Cokanasiga on the end of a backline with Ben Te’o and Manu Tuilagi gives Jones a possible power back line-up nothing like he has had since taking over in 2016.
The Fijian-born winger, who moved to Bath this year after his club London Irish was relegated, is sure to feature in next year’s Six Nations and could be a bolter for England’s World Cup squad.
Joe Cokanasiga:
Two internationals
Two tries 🏉🏉A fine start to his international career.#ENGvAUS live 👉🏉📲 https://t.co/XyXnOb135b#bbcrugby pic.twitter.com/LffwNtvoCm
— BBC 5 Live Sport (@5liveSport) November 24, 2018
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