VAINIKOLO CAN BE UNION GREAT - PAUL
Lesley Vainikolo will be one of the best rugby union finishers of all time, according to his former team-mate and dual international Henry Paul.
The Harlequins RL star, 33, played with Gloucester winger Vainikolo for New Zealand's league team and at Bradford Bulls.
Paul crossed codes himself in 2001, earning six caps for England. And he thinks that the 28-year-old 6"1' flyer who could make his union international bow next Saturday when England play host to Wales, can be one of the game's greats.
He said: "I think Lesley is the best finisher in the game. His strike rate is outstanding. If you look at his record - 140 tries in 144 games for the Bulls. It is unbelievable.
"Les will take some stopping. He's going to create opportunities for other guys with his power and the attention he gets. Already he is being marked by three or four guys.
"He is just a monster and bulldozes people. There is no magic formula with Les - he trains well, and trains smart. He is a big, natural player who works to his strengths."
Paul continued: "He has to be one of the best wingers ever in rugby league.
"He has dominated games in Australia too, so he has proved himself in two of the hardest leagues and on two different continents.
"He will be up there in rugby union too. It's just a shame that he has come into it a bit late.
"But I think we'll be able to talk about what a great player he is in union five years from now."
Lesley Vainikolo will be one of the best rugby union finishers of all time, according to his former team-mate and dual international Henry Paul.
The Harlequins RL star, 33, played with Gloucester winger Vainikolo for New Zealand's league team and at Bradford Bulls.
Paul crossed codes himself in 2001, earning six caps for England. And he thinks that the 28-year-old 6"1' flyer who could make his union international bow next Saturday when England play host to Wales, can be one of the game's greats.
He said: "I think Lesley is the best finisher in the game. His strike rate is outstanding. If you look at his record - 140 tries in 144 games for the Bulls. It is unbelievable.
"Les will take some stopping. He's going to create opportunities for other guys with his power and the attention he gets. Already he is being marked by three or four guys.
"He is just a monster and bulldozes people. There is no magic formula with Les - he trains well, and trains smart. He is a big, natural player who works to his strengths."
Paul continued: "He has to be one of the best wingers ever in rugby league.
"He has dominated games in Australia too, so he has proved himself in two of the hardest leagues and on two different continents.
"He will be up there in rugby union too. It's just a shame that he has come into it a bit late.
"But I think we'll be able to talk about what a great player he is in union five years from now."
Labels: Brian Ashton, England, Lesley Vainikolo, rugby union, Six Nations
