| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI rugby has a new hero after one of their former players Ratu Joe Cokanasiga was recently called up to the England national squad by head coach Eddie Jones for the two-test tour in Argentina in June.
The England under-20 star is part of the 15 uncapped players chosen by the national coach in the 31-member squad.
“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I’d be bearing the red rose. However, to then accomplish it at this point in my career is a whole different blessing in itself,” Cokanasiga said via Instagram.
The 19-year old joined the London Irish academy for the 2016/17 season and has been a revelation since both at club and international level for the under-20s which attracted recognition for a senior call-up.
Cokanasiga enjoyed spells in Germany and Brunei, the latter of which provided him an environment to switch from his initial interest of football to rugby.
The talented winger was part of the Brunei under-17 team at the COBRA (Combined Old Boys Rugby Association) Rugby 10s Tournament in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.
Born in Fiji, he moved to England with his father Ilaitia who was in the Army and went to the International School Brunei (ISB) when he was in the Sultanate.
Cokanasiga started playing rugby at the age of six to seven and his first rugby club was based in Germany when his family moved there in 2006.
He developed an interest in football during his time in Germany but it was in Brunei which helped rediscover his passion for rugby.
Cokanasiga started playing with the local rugby team before continuing to play alongside his father in the Army squad.
Joe Cokanasiga (fourth from left, standing) while he was in Brunei’s under-17 team. – BRFU
He then became part of the under-17 and under-20 Brunei teams and it is in Brunei where it helped revive his passion for the sport.
The 19-year-old has received a couple of links whilst in Brunei before his rugby CV was posted to the London Irish academy and the club, who plays in the RFU Championship, was keen to see how the youngster fared.
“Moving to England was probably one of the biggest opportunities to play rugby but I wasn’t planning to have such an increase in progress so I wasn’t expecting this much progression,” Cokanasiga said in an interview.
Joe, who experienced a rare journey from Brunei to one of the illustrious rugby clubs in England, realised the dream of playing alongside one of his idols in London Irish star Aseli Tikoirotuma.
“I used to watch Tiks (Tikoirotuma) a lot on TV and didn’t really think I would be playing with him or training with him every day.”
Cokanasiga has been described by his family members as having a “loving” personality and despite his physical appearance is very friendly and easy-going.
“He’s always there for the both of us. He randomly message and say these things you wouldn’t think that a big, tough guy would send,” said a family member.
The new-look England squad will assemble on May 29 in London to begin their preparations for the two-test tour.
Cokanasiga won the Under-18 Academy title in 2016 after his London Irish team beat Gloucester 35-11 in the final at Allianz Park.
England will play at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan on June 10 before completing their tour at Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao Lopez, Santa Fe a week later.
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