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Twitter not altogether surprised that Joe Cokanasiga has been dropped

By Josh Raisey
Joe Cokanasiga (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Twitter is currently a flood with exasperated England fans that cannot believe Eddie Jones’ decision to drop Joe Cokanasiga for Saturday’s match against Scotland at Twickenham.

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The 21-year-old winger was sensational against Italy last Saturday, picking up the Man of the Match award, as he left spectators speechless with the contempt he showed towards the Italian defence and the concept of holding the ball in two hands. Therefore, Jones’ decision to drop him from the squad entirely has confused many fans.

Jack Nowell replaces the Bath winger, while Ben Te’o is on the bench, as Jones has opted to field the closest starting XV to the one that beat Ireland in Dublin in the opening weekend of the Six Nations.

Cokanasiga obliterated the Italian defence at times last weekend, and while many people have noted that this was against a slightly suspect outfit, a lot of fans think that he warrants a place on the bench against Scotland.

However, a lot of England fans have come to expect Jones to move in mysterious ways, as he has garnered a reputation of being slightly capricious at times. The candid Australian has never been one to succumb to pressure from the media and fans, and this decision could be an example of him trying to explain that he knows best.

Jones has a lot of trust in Nowell, and he only missed out on an opportunity to play against Italy because of injury. Given that the England team that faced Conor O’Shea’s side were regarded as an experimental team, the decision to rest Cokanasiga does not come as a surprise to many.

With the return of Mako Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes, the team starting against Scotland on Saturday looks to be Jones’ favourite starting XV at the moment, and perhaps at the World Cup later this year.

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Despite the hysteria surrounding Cokanasiga, England fans expected Jones to remain resolute with his team. This is what they are saying:

https://twitter.com/nutr1_train/status/1106145431485104129
https://twitter.com/eggs_benedict/status/1106141702899859457
https://twitter.com/blocks2u/status/1106141230646345728
https://twitter.com/jmconnor6/status/1106145413168549888
https://twitter.com/Helsbells_86/status/1106148085183463424
https://twitter.com/go_rossi46/status/1106148446124285952
https://twitter.com/robbo277/status/1106142092072501248
https://twitter.com/danielevans28/status/1106141189034655744

With Cokanasiga being lavished with comparisons to the great Jonah Lomu over the past week, these fans see his omission as Jones tempering some of that mania. Such extravagant comparisons may be too much pressure for a young player, and therefore, pulling him out of the limelight may be best for the player and abate the fans’ enthusiasm.

Of course, there is still a lot of criticism from fans on Twitter, which is understandable after such a dominant display from ‘Big Joe’, but England fans are learning that this is “classic Eddie”.

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Bull Shark 17 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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