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Leagues & Competitions
Volcano vows to roar back
Vainikolo turns his focus to play-offs
Last updated: 14th May 2008
Vainikolo: five tries on debut
I also know that I need to work on my fitness in the off-season, and that is what I will be doing. There is always another season, it's not the end. Next season, I will just have to play harder.
Lesley Vainikolo
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Gloucester winger Lesley Vainikolo is determined to battle back into the England squad after being dropped for the tour to New Zealand.
The former Kiwi rugby league international made a barnstorming start to his union career, but his form tailed off in the Six Nations and he has paid the price.
But despite the disappointment of missing out on a tour of his native land, the 29-year-old former Bradford Bulls star was philosophical.
"I enjoyed myself in the Six Nations, and I wish England luck for the summer tour," he said.
"Sometimes in life, you have disappointments and you have got to deal with it. If you don't get picked, you don't get picked.
"That's the way the game is sometimes, but I just carry on with what I do.
"It would have been nice to go on a tour to New Zealand, but maybe one day.
"The big thing for me now is to try and work through the injuries I've had this season and get back to where I was. There has been a lot of stop-start for me this season.
"I also know that I need to work on my fitness in the off-season, and that is what I will be doing.
"There is always another season, it's not the end. Next season, I will just have to play harder."
Play-offs
The Volcano still has plenty to focus on before the end of the season with table-topping Gloucester heading for the play-offs as top seeds.
"I am pretty happy with what I've done, but it is not just for me, it is for my family and the club," he added.
"I have really enjoyed myself - I've got no regrets or anything.
"I made the right move to come down to Gloucester, and it is going well.
"Everyone has made me feel welcome, and I've found it really easy fitting in. I feel like I have been here for longer than one season - it's been awesome."
Having beaten Wasps and Bath in their last two Premiership games, Gloucester face Leicrester at Kingsholm on Sunday for a place at Twickenham.
"Leicester are one of those teams you cannot take lightly. They will be coming out fired up," Vainikolo warned.
"They've made it to the top four. Some people perhaps thought they might not make it, but they have, and getting there will give them a buzz.
Standards
"We've got to keep our standards high and try to pick up our game from the previous week against Bath.
"At the same time, I think you are also more focused because these are now knockout games. It's not like you are trying to get a bonus point from a game, or something like that.
"We didn't come all the way to where we are now not to reach the final. We finished top, and now is the time to continue doing our talking on the pitch.
"The club has finished top three times in the last six years, and our main focus is to go one step further than last season and try to go all the way to the trophy.
"It would make me really happy - the icing on the cake - if we could go on and win the title.
"It would be awesome for my team-mates, for the fans, for everybody."
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Lions on safari
The British and Irish Lions take time out to go on safari ahead of the third test against South Africa.
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South Africa 28 Lions 25
Pictures from an enthralling second Test between the British and Irish Lions and South Africa.
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Lions prepare
It's win or bust for the Lions but before they head to Pretoria, there was some last-minute training.
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Boks prepare
Whilst the Lions were in rain-soaked Cape Town, the Springboks were enjoying the sun in Johannesburg.
Lions on safari
The British and Irish Lions take time out to go on safari ahead of the third test against South Africa.
| Result |
|---|
| Guinness Premiership |
| Saturday 16th May |
| Guinness Premiership |
| Leicester 10 - 9 London Irish |
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Comments (2)
Carl Rose says...
Cant agree more, England play boring rugby union , the volcano will be better off having a rest in the summer than watching a ball get kicked up and down by the England backs. I watched a rugby league game salford v celtic crusaders lastnight and it was much better than the kick and clap that the rah rah England boys play. The welsh know how to play union the right way and i look forward to watching them win again next season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11:40 16th May 2008
Dave Towns says...
What a shocker, yet another fantastic try scorer from rugby league is dropped from a union team!!! The trouble is playing kick and clap rugby, it is not often the wingers see much ball, well not in the ENGLAND TEAM anyway. And yet the wingers are usually the scape goats. Big Lesley has proved himself in league and playing union for Gloucester. Maybe the selectors should be looking at the half backs they usually kick it into touch or into spaces where a dozen or so defenders are more than happy to kick it back down field! Get back to playing League Lesley, at least you will get a touch of the ball. Hope the England team get rid of the rubbish KICK AND CLAP attitude how boring to watch!!!!
Posted 23:22 15th May 2008