English cross-code superstar Martin Offiah believes Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will face a tough transition into the Wallabies, but has backed the former Rooster to lift the national team’s excitement levels.
Offiah, who played five games for England rugby before his high-profile defection, which yielded 33 matches for Great Britain’s rugby league team, said he recalled the feeling when he was signed by the Wigan Warriors.
“There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders,” Offiah told the Ealing Times.
“You do feel that and I was fortunate I was in a very strong team. It’s going to be tough for Joseph.
“The question is can he handle the subtleties of the sport? Physically and skill-wise he’s more than capable of coping with the rigours of rugby union.
“His skills will definitely transfer. As they did with Jason Robinson.
“I can’t wait to watch him play. Without a doubt, I’ll be tuning in. He’s box office. Australia are going to be a far more exciting team with him and that, of course, is what they’re banking on.”
Woodward wants foreigner rules tightened
World Cup winner Clive Woodward has called on England to tighten rules on overseas players in a bid to reach the World Rugby’s rankings summit.
Woodward said he backed a statement from Rassie Erasmus, who told the Mail on Sunday in 2022: “People say the English system is the envy of the world because it has all the resources. I disagree.
“People say South Africa are stupid for allowing our players to leave. Is it stupid? Look at England, there are six or seven South African players taking the places of young English players at Premiership clubs.
“For us, it’s wonderful. Is it good for England? No.”
Woodward, who wants England to pick from everyone available regardless of where they play club rugby responded: “Absolutely spot on.
“Premiership and RFU rules state the country’s 10 top clubs must have an average of 15 English qualified players (EQP) in their matchday squads of 23 across the season.
(Photo by DaveRogers /Allsport)
“This means that on each Premiership weekend, 150 of the 230 players who are involved in match action should be eligible to play for England. That equates to 65 per cent.
“That is good, but for me, it does not go far enough. My view is the EQP number in a squad of 23 should be 18, thus equating to 78 per cent.”
He said that change would “make a huge impact on creating a world-class England set-up”, adding that “in the Premiership right now, there are still too many non-English qualified players who aren’t of the highest standard blocking the development of the next generation of England stars.”
Several Wallabies including World Cup members Josh Kemeny and Izzy Perese are currently working in England.
The Rugby Football Union does not allow players based at clubs outside of England to represent Steve Borthwick’s national side.
“I have long disagreed with this rule. Owen Farrell, Jack Willis, Henry Arundell and Kyle Sinckler are just four of many France-based stars who would certainly add depth and value to the vision of England being the No 1 team in the world,” said Woodward.
“Every England coach needs to work in a no-excuse environment.
“Having their hands tied behind their back over non-selection of overseas players is plain crazy.
“We are just shooting ourselves in the foot.
“But with the RFU staying steadfast to their foreign dictator, then why are we not fully prioritising giving young English talent a chance in our own league?”
Cheika reacts to hairdryer claim
Aussie Leicester head coach Michael Cheika has laughed off a suggestion from England’s Freddie Steward that he gave the team one of his trademark half-time blasts before the Tigers overturned an 11-point deficit to beat Gloucester on the weekend.
Michael Cheika. (Photo by Michael Regan – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Steward said Cheika gave his side the “hairdryer” treatment at the break.
“It’s an exaggeration,” Cheika told the BBC. “If it was a hairdryer then it was on the very lowest setting because there are a couple more settings in me.
“I think you have to tell the truth to the boys at half-time about where we were mentally in that game.
“There were some tactical issues that we needed to address, but that was secondary to the idea that maybe we thought we were going to be handed victory. That doesn’t happen ever in this game.”
The Roarhttps://https://ift.tt/aQ21c4G Exposure: ‘The question is’ – Cross-code legend’s verdict on ‘box office’ Suaalii, Cheika’s ‘hairdryer’
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