'Volcano' ready to erupt
Vainikolo looks to build on France performance
By Tony Curtis Last updated: 6th March 2008
Vainikolo: Looking for his first try
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Lesley Vainikolo has told his doubters "you ain't seen nothing yet" despite failing to score for England in his first three matches.
Having scored tries for fun since joining Gloucester from Bradford Bulls rugby league, Vainikolo has made a tentative step up to the international stage.
However, the 'Volcano' is ready to erupt against Scotland in the RBS Six Nations clash at Murrayfield - although the Tongan-born winger knows it is a case of continuing his improvement in the 15-a-side code.
"We did well in France and need to carry on," insisted Vainikolo.
"We have been training well and we are confident - but not too confident, or you can get shot down early.
"I'm just trying to improve every game - and if the try comes then it comes. If it doesn't I'll just carry on.
Frustrating
"I'd like to get my jersey dirtier. But it was good to see I was getting more ball in France, and I'm pretty happy with my game.
"It has been frustrating, but you have to be patient. Sometimes I was going looking for the ball, and it was the wrong thing to do. You have to balance it out.
"I do get a bit anxious but I like to improve game by game. Scoring tries is a bonus."
The Calcutta Cup clash will pit Vainikolo against his Gloucester team-mate Chris Paterson - and the 28-year-old knows the Scottish playmaker will be the key man to stop on Saturday.
Vainikolo said: "He is their danger man, and we have not to give too many penalties away. We have to be smart and disciplined in our game.
"I've heard the English and the Scots don't always like each other.
"We're 85 minutes enemies, but we will be friends for life. Scotland will be fired-up on their home ground. They have lost three games - but they are still a dangerous team."
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Comments
Marc Sawkings says...
Vainikolo hasn't really been given any sort of chance to do anything with the ball, every time play has started to move to his wing they reverse it and go back the other way! The few times he has got the ball though he's looked dangerous and made ground with it. England need to bring him into the game more with little short passes to smash into the opps defence and make ground.
Posted 14:44 6th March 2008
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