Simon Middleton hails the ‘great options’ in his squad after Sadia Kabeya and Abby Dow impress
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England manager Simon Middleton applauds ‘great options’ in his squad after Sadia Kabeya and Abby Dow impress during the Red Roses Rugby World Cup warm-up in Fiji
- The Red Roses crush Fiji 84-19 in New Zealand group stage opening match
- Flanker Sadia Kabeya impressed when she put down a player of the match performance
- Simon Middleton praised the depth of quality options he has to choose from
- England then play against France in the group stage in the match on Saturday
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England’s World Cup bid started in record time and with even better news for Simon Middleton, the Red Roses head coach has received an unexpected double boost ahead of France.
A 14-try hammer from Fiji on day one in New Zealand was no surprise given England’s status as the No. 1 on the planet and the fact that the Pacific Island nation played in their first tournament.
What Middleton might not have counted on was rookie flanker Sadia Kabeya’s player of the game and a try-scoring return for wing Abby Dow.
Coach Simon Middleton (right) has hailed Sadia Kabeya (left) as a ‘fantastic young player’
Both players had to remember matches against Fiji for various reasons, adding another string to England’s already impressive arc.
Kabeya, just 20, stood out in England’s World Cup opener by replacing the injured Marlie Packer and is now in the mix to start Saturday’s second round with France.
Dow, who suffered a horrific broken leg in April, emerged from the bench and scored in Fiji’s 84-19 demolition.
Middleton said: “Competition for places is fantastic and it’s been a while since we’ve really had a real out-and-out. What a fantastic young player Sadia is, but so is Marlie.
Kabeya was named Player of the Match for her performance in England’s big win over Fiji
“We have great options.”
Kabeya, one of five players in England’s World Cup squad not on a professional contract, received her player-of-the-match award from All Black great Dan Carter.
“She had another great performance,” England captain Sarah Hunter said of student Kabeya.
“Every time she comes on the field, she gets better.”
Abby Dow made a try-scoring return to action for England after recovering from a broken leg
Packer is back in training but didn’t face Fiji due to a minor foot problem. She is likely to return to Middleton’s starting lineup for France on Saturday.
The fact that Kabeya and Dow may have to settle for a spot on the bench shows the extraordinary strength in depth that England possess.
Dow’s recovery to being fit to travel to New Zealand has been impressive. “That was one for Emily Ross, who worked so hard with Abby to get her back,” Middleton said of Dow’s fine result against Fiji. “It was a typical Abby attempt with two or three players to beat.
“It was just what she needed to give her confidence.”
Captain Sarah Hunter (pictured) also praised Abby Dow for overcoming her injury
Hunter added: “Abby is an incredible person. There were dark places she had to go, but the hard work and dedication she put into getting fit again is impressive. It’s great to see her again.
“We don’t talk about whether we are favorites or not. New Zealand is the current holders, so it’s up to them to lose. We will definitely have to improve for France, there is no doubt about that.
“But we have it in ourselves. Fiji was not our best performance, but we know we have the ability to get better.”