Fears for injured Cokanasiga as Jonathan Joseph puts England hand up
Jonathan Joseph used Bath’s return to a happy hunting ground to press his claim for an England recall, but a 26-19 victory over Bristol came at the cost of a shoulder injury to Joe Cokanasiga.
Joseph claimed his first try at Twickenham for 18 months and brilliantly set up the second for centre colleague Jamie Roberts in a bonus-point win that heightens the Bears’ Gallagher Premiership relegation fears.
It is an arena that has provided 11 of Joseph’s 17 international tries, but the Lion’s last cap was over a year ago with England preferring Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi in the number 13 jersey.
None of Eddie Jones’ coaching staff were present in a 60,152 crowd at Twickenham to witness his man-of-the-match contribution, and they also missed Cokanasiga being withdrawn at half-time.
40' | REPLACEMENT
?? Clark on for his 50th appearance
?? Cokanasiga[19-12]
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) April 6, 2019
The powerful Fiji-born wing hurt his shoulder in the act of scoring the third of Bath’s four tries and, having initially played on, he was in obvious discomfort and was forced to pull out.
The interval penalty count was 8-0 in Bristol’s favour and it was this remarkable statistic that kept them in contention, with fly-half Callum Sheedy landing four penalties.
Bath boss Todd Blackadder on that Joe Cokanasiga shoulder injury. . .
"He has an ac joint, a good whack, it is just really sore. These things can turn around quickly or take a while. You can see he's a bit gingerly, but hopefully it's not too bad."
— Jonny Fordham ?? (@SunJonnyFordham) April 6, 2019
But Rhys Priestland celebrated his new two-year contract – announced on Friday – by running in the 56th-minute try that ultimately proved decisive, although the Bears were at least able to clinch a losing bonus point when Dan Thomas went over.
Bath were rampant in the opening 10 minutes, with Joseph revelling in his return to Twickenham by scoring the first try and setting up the second.
Poor defending contributed to both scores but it still took skill for Joseph to wriggle through two tackles to touch down, before his clever delayed grubber enabled Roberts to gather and cross.
To continue the theme of Joseph’s influential start, the 27-year-old produced a turnover and a well-timed run out of the defensive line to halt two promising Bristol attacks in their tracks.
Next up it was Cokanasiga’s turn to batter the Bears as strong carries from Sam Underhill and Roberts set up position just short of the line, giving the England wing the chance to pick up and drive over.
Bath had been ruthless in the opposition half but it was Bristol who had played most of the rugby only to be let down by some ragged play.
And working in their favour was their opponents’ collapse in discipline that meant Sheedy was able to kick three penalties in quick succession.
A 19-3 deficit was pegged back to 19-12 and, as the second half got under way without the injured Cokanasiga, Bristol were on top with gifted hooker Harry Thacker using his athleticism to good effect.
The Bears’ handling was abysmal, however, to ruin two moments of attacking promise, while Tusi Pisi was smashed backwards by a double tackle from Priestland and Underhill.
Bristol finally conceded their first penalty in the 55th minute – the count was a remarkable 11-1 in their favour at this stage – but Priestland could only steer a kick taken in front of the posts on to the upright.
The error was soon erased as the Welshman hacked on a ball that had been knocked loose during a Bears backline move and stabbed it over the whitewash to touch down.
Openside Thomas gave Bristol hope by rounding off a flowing team try in the 70th minute and when Ian Madigan landed the conversion, the losing bonus point was in the bag.
PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments