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'No qualms over Vainikolo'
29/01/2008 14:02 - (SA)
London - England captain Phil Vickery, as patriotic a player as any in the squad, insists he will have no problems appearing in the same Test side as Lesley Vainikolo.
Tonga-born former New Zealand rugby league international Vainikolo is now qualified for England on residency grounds and, having only joined Gloucester this season, was included in England coach Brian Ashton's squad for the Six Nations.
Now Vainikolo could make his international debut in the 15-man code in Saturday's tournament opener against Wales at Twickenham, provided he overcomes a slight knee injury.
But the dynamic wing's inclusion has re-opened the debate about just how 'English' anyone should be to play for England and whether it is right that players from poorer rugby union nations such as Tonga ought to appearing in Tests for one of the sport's wealthy, traditional powers.
But prop Vickery, who led England in their Rugby World Cup final defeat against South Africa in Paris, said of Vainikolo: "I'm grateful he's on my team."
Amidst all the modern tools of video analysis and sophisticated training aids, Vickery said there was still a place in Test rugby for old-fashioned patriotic sentiment.
"I get fed up with hearing about how proud the Irish are to wear their jersey, and the Welsh and the Scots. I am very proud of being English, of my country and I am very proud to wear the English rose. When I stand out there and sing the national anthem, I sing for my Queen."
Whether Vainikolo feels quite the same way about England remains to be seen but Vickery said: "Having Lesley involved is exciting. If it sits easy with Lesley then for myself it is not an issue.
"As long as he is qualified to play for this country it is no different to Matt Stevens or Mike Catt (who were both born in South Africa). These things have happened many times before.
"And having met him, I am grateful he is on my team because he is a monster.
"I think he will be a very special player and I hope he gets a chance to prove that."
Vainikolo, who at six-foot-two and nearly 18 stone has been compared to extraordinary All Black wing Jonah Lomu, scored an astonishing 149 tries in 152 games for English rugby league side Bradford before signing for Gloucester ahead of the start of the season.
He then showed his scoring prowess had lost nothing in the cross-code change with five tries on debut for Gloucester against Leeds.
Vainikolo has now grabbed nine in 10 games for the Cherry and Whites and Jason Robinson, a World Cup-winner with England in 2003, and perhaps the most successful example of a league player who switched to union, predicted last weekend that fans will soon be wearing wigs in honour of the distinctive hairstyle of the man nicknamed the 'Volcano'.
Vickery is equally certain the 28-year-old will soon become a fans' favourite with England crowds just as he has at Gloucester.
"It doesn't matter who you are, you have to win the supporters over, but Lesley's track record speaks for itself," former Gloucester forward Vickery, now with Wasps, added.
"He wants to play for England, he is qualified to play for England and that is fantastic for us."
Vainikolo sat out Gloucester's Premiership win over Wasps at the weekend with a knee injury but club coach Dean Ryan is confident he will be fit in time for Saturday. Ashton is due to name his matchday 22 to play Wales on Tuesday.
- AFP
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