Big collisions are a regular Twickenham occurrence but the Test between England and Fiji on Saturday is threatening to reach a whole new level. According to the home side’s assistant coach Neal Hatley, a “seismic explosion” awaits if his wing Semesa Rokoduguni runs into Fiji’s Nemani Nadolo which, if true, will surely attract the attention of the Guinness Book of Records.
Having grown up in Fiji, Rokoduguni is bound to receive special treatment, along with Nathan Hughes, the second Fiji-born player in the home dressing room. Hughes is poised to wear the unfamiliar No7 jersey but the management believe England have enough collective artillery in all areas to subdue the Pacific islanders and extend their winning run under Eddie Jones to 11 matches.
Hatley, who used to coach Rokoduguni at Bath, believes the British Army tank soldier is a better player and more composed than when he won his only previous England cap, against New Zealand in 2014. He also reckons Rokoduguni and Hughes will handle whatever Fiji can dish out. “They are obviously very motivated and we’d like to think they’re motivated to play for England,” he said. “I’m sure it adds a little spice amongst them as individuals ... there could be a seismic explosion on the far side with Nadolo and Rokoduguni running into each other.”
It was only last week that Eddie Jones, the head coach, omitted Rokoduguni from his squad for the South Africa game, with his preference for Marland Yarde on the right wing raising eyebrows in Bath. Jones explained he wanted Rokoduguni to have a long and successful Test career, which made it crucial to pick his next few games with care. Hatley, either way, is looking forward to seeing what the big, agile wing adds to England’s cause.
“Eddie has been saying that if you get an opportunity you have to take it. Roko’s been fantastic over the last 18 months and he’s had a really good start to this season. He’s probably been Bath’s out‑and‑out attacking strike weapon. Playing with someone like George Ford is brilliant because he distributes the ball so well and gives Roko those one-on-one opportunities. He has also got the proper life experience of sitting in and driving a tank ... I think [other] players draw inspiration from that.”
Another familiar Bath face is also poised to feature in midfield and Jonathan Joseph is keen to ensure his own omission from the Springboks game was a blip. Something similar applies at full‑back where Alex Goode, the Premiership player of the season last year, has spent all year waiting for a starting opportunity under Jones, ironically the coach who first moved him from fly-half to full-back as a youngster at Saracens.
Goode believes that having to be patient behind Mike Brown has toughened him up mentally. “With Eddie it’s about showing fight and competitive spirit. You never want to be dropped but that’s part of professional sport. You’ve got to deal with those highs and lows and it’s how you react to that. A big test for Eddie is the character people show.”
Barring any last-minute fitness setbacks, the plan is for Hughes and Billy Vunipola to feature in the back row with Northampton’s Teimana Harrison in reserve. “I don’t think the numbers make a huge difference at the moment,” Hatley said. “Nathan brings a big ball‑carrying threat and we’ve seen what he can do in the Premiership. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Nathan if he is involved.”
England have had another overseas-based coach with them in camp this week, the Carlton AFL coach Neil Craig having been invited to monitor their coaching sessions.
England (probable): Goode (Saracens); Rokoduguni, Joseph (both Bath), Farrell (Saracens), May (Gloucester); Ford (Bath), Youngs (Leicester); M Vunipola (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton, capt), Cole (Leicester), Launchbury (Wasps), Lawes (Northampton), Robshaw (Harlequins), Hughes (Wasps), B Vunipola (Saracens).
.png?w=600)
