BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Doing the All Black double

By Jonathon Moore
BBC Sport Online

The 'magic moment' as Simpson-Daniel roars past Lomu
Few players are able to make a mockery of Jonah Lomu once.

But England coach Clive Woodward will be banking on James Simpson-Daniel heaping up a double serving of All Black ignominy when he takes to the field on Saturday.

It is little over six months since the diminutive Gloucester winger left the Kiwi giant in the Twickenham pit lane, as he roared past him on his way to one of the tries of the season.

Lomu left the field looking jaded and, if truth be told, somewhat embarrassed.

After all, the world's most famous rugby player had been given the run-around by a unknown player half his size.

The giant Kiwi aside, it was a peach of a moment and exactly the kind of rugby that has attracted crowds to watch the Barbarians for the best past of a century.

I'll have to try and get low on him and get round his ankles

Simpson-Daniel on stopping Lomu

But can Simpson-Daniel, the pint sized Gloucester wonder, do it again?

He admits to feeling the nerves.

"I have been feeling a little queasy this week, but I try and control it. I always suffer from nerves, but it's been worse than usual," he told BBC Sport Online.

Simpson-Daniel's try capped a superb England performance in which Clive Woodward's young-guns ran out deserved 53-29 winners.

And although Woodward has repeatedly argued that Simpson- Daniel's moment of magic has not influenced his selection, the player himself is less convinced.

"I took a lot of confidence out of the game, as did many players." he said

"It's a performance I'm proud of and I'd like to think it showed by true ability.

Despite conceding seven inches and seven stone to Lomu, the 20-year-old is confident he can make lightening strike in the same place twice.

"It's important for me to feel good about my own abilities, because if I don't then I simply won't enjoy it," he added.

"I'm pretty used to playing against bigger players than me. I do realise that he's huge but I've got to treat him like any other winger."

Lomu has steam-rollered players twice Simpson-Daniel's 78kg frame, so how does he propose to stop the man in full flight?

"I'll have to try and get low on him and get round his ankles, I think that's the key really.

"Clearly I managed to get around him last time we met - but he also brushed me aside two or three times so I have to concentrate on that."

There is no greater task in rugby than to make your first capped start against New Zealand, even if coach John Mitchell has opted to leave a third of his Test stars at home.

'All Black sides are good or great, never bad', remains the rugby mantra and Simpson-Daniel is well aware of how much responsibility his manager has placed on his shoulders.

I didn't think things would happen this quickly

Simpson-Daniel

"We treated the Barbarians game seriously but this is something very different," he said.

"This is my first capped game so I feel that a lot more pressure is on me. It's a psychological thing, but I've always been the same.

"I didn't think things would happen this quickly. My main aim was just to play for Gloucester this year.

"The team and squad down there is so good that it's difficult for anyone to get a start.

"Anything past that was going to be a bonus and I have to admit that to get this has totally shocked me.

"It's fantastic, if a little nerve-wracking. But it's up to me to repay the faith that Clive has shown in me."


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