Rugby: Saracens speedster looks to lord it over opposition

Winger Tevita Li in action against South Africa. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand have Tevita Li. England have Nathan Earle.

The Saracens flyer scored two tries for the defending champions against Australia in round two action to take his tournament tally to five after a hat-trick against Italy.

Earle's brace in Albany came courtesy of slick work from his Sarries' clubmate, centre Nick Tompkins, but he was sharp and full of running during the first spell in which England played at a fast tempo. He saw less ball in the second stanza.

Earle, 19, much like David Campese preferred doing, wears the No11 jersey but features mostly on the right wing. It doesn't worry England coach Nick Walshe.

"He just wanted to wear 11. I said to him: 'If it's going to make you play well, you can do what you want'," said Walshe.

"He's a massive one for the future. He's big, athletic and fast and has come into his own in the last two games, which is brilliant. But he's got to keep working. I want all the guys to be pushing each other. You do well in this tournament with a full squad," said Walshe.

His charges scarcely got out of second gear in a 38-24 win over Australia. Topping Pool A will be a formality, as they face Argentina tomorrow in Albany. They are moving inexorably towards a final with South Africa on June 20.

But Walshe knows the win over Australia was far from perfect, the odd handling error blighting their work and preventing what could have been a blowout against a committed Australian outfit.

Halfback Henry Taylor scored two tries, having kept tour captain Callum Braley on the bench. "We have quite a close team, so we can mix and match a bit. I'm lucky to have both Callum and Henry as scrumhalves. It's a real battle who plays, but I will pick on form," said Walshe.