Wasps player ratings by Bobby Bridge and Ben Jaycock

[Rossm]

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-player-ratings-malakai-fekitoa-17481976

Do you agree?

Malakai was my MoM but I don't begrudge Jacob. In fact Malakai is growing game by game and is justifying Dai signing him.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

For me there were a number of players who could have had the MoTM, including Umaga and Fekitoa. Carr and Launchbury also. I do think that, despite his missed kicks and a couple of other errors, Jacob deserved it. What would his score have been IF he had kicked those two penalties AND got that kick off correct? 9, 9.5? He did have an amazing game. every time he gets his chance, he shouts out VERY loud that he deserves that shirt before Sopoaga.

I also though that, despite the limited minutes, how well Jimmy played.

[BG]

From the article

"Kieran Brookes - 6.5

The least prominent of the front row in the loose, dealing with John Afoa does take up a lot of energy."

Err.. how can both tightheads be scrumming against each other?

[WickedWasp]

Talking of props did I see correctly Ben Harris in a sling. Could add to our injury issues at prop. When are we expecting the others back.

[Jac A]

Talking of props did I see correctly Ben Harris in a sling. Could add to our injury issues at prop. When are we expecting the others back.

Yes, I noticed that and winced. Think ZZ is still out for at least 6 weeks and Si Mac is going back to a specialist for his concussions (to the extent I think a lot of us would not be surprised if we didn't see him back sadly). Looks like a big job for Tom West!

[Heathen]

Tom West certainly looks as though he is up for it.

For once, let's hope we can keep one off of our own production line.

[Chunky24]

Talking of props did I see correctly Ben Harris in a sling. Could add to our injury issues at prop. When are we expecting the others back.

Yes, I noticed that and winced. Think ZZ is still out for at least 6 weeks and Si Mac is going back to a specialist for his concussions (to the extent I think a lot of us would not be surprised if we didn't see him back sadly). Looks like a big job for Tom West!

Owlett to get a bit more time at LH in the A team game Monday and provide cover?

[BG]

I thought Ben Harris carried really well.. he always got over the gain line and held his own against Afoa.

Robson was a little quicker from the breakdown but that might be because Jacob was a lot quicker in organising where he wanted people to be and presumably barking at Robson.

Its noticeable that Jacob seems to understand the flow of the game, he carries the ball in two hands and keeps his shoulders square which always creates doubt in the mind of a defender as to what's going to happen next.

I thought the ref had on the  whole had a good game but in trying to make his own decisions made some howlers.

Thacker might as well had been wearing a gold shirt the amount of times he was on the wrong side .. the late penalty against Launchers was an example of refs applying an interpretation incorrectly.

Fekitoa is now finding his feet and offers us a more direct approach in the backs which we've not had in seasons.

I'm sure Dai will continue to rotate the 10 position but for me.. Umaga is the 1st choice now... everyone seems more comfortable around him. Everyone sems to buy into what he's doing.

[Shugs]

Agree by and large. I thought Brookes was better than a 6.5. Might as well just stick a 9 next to Willis and Carr whenever they play. I thought Fekitoa was MoM by some way. He shut them down with some brutal hits and was sharp in attack. In addition he brings something to the squad in terms of team spirit.

[mike909]

Agree by and large. I thought Brookes was better than a 6.5.

Me too.

As an old prop....I was my props to prop first and foremost, c.f. SA in RWC final.....the add on's are a bonus, but only if you are ensuring your own ball, and with Tommy and Brookes we have 2/3 of an international class front row. Its not like we are lacking runners across backrow and SR, plus Tommy.

I've also enjoyed seeing Matthews develop, and also look to provide leadership - real bonus going into the New Year

[Shugs]

Couldn't agree more Mike. I wince when people enthuse about props carrying, offloading etc. Like you say it's great if they can do it but only if they've absolutely nailed scrummaging. If you lose the set piece you lose the game. Our scrum has been massively better with Brookes in it and he gives us that stable base. Easy to forget how good TT is as well - his tackle rate is phenomenal. Bit worried about LH though if Harris is injured. West is fine but he appears to be all we have left (although I think Owlett can play there).

[Hymenoptera]

I thought the ref had on the  whole had a good game but in trying to make his own decisions made some howlers.

Thacker might as well had been wearing a gold shirt the amount of times he was on the wrong side .. the late penalty against Launchers was an example of refs applying an interpretation incorrectly.

I now its Xmas so the time of giving but come on, the ref was shocking. If a ref can't make decisions without them being howlers then he may as well stay at home. All ref's miss stuff but not multiple game changing decisions. He even made shockers against Bris, like Afoa affecting Dan's pass..never.
As for 'interpretation'..there is no interpretation coming through the middle of a maul, there is no bind.