Maggie Alphonsi's Player Ratings

[Bloke in North Dorset]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2020/10/24/premiership-final-preview-maggie-alphonsis-player-ratings/

(I haven't copied and pasted because its a bit long and works better in print if you've seen it.)

Maggie's done a player by player analysis and comparison and given them marks out of 10. There's more than a few I would quibble with, but the final score comes out as :

Exeter Chiefs: 124
Wasps: 118

Maybe we're close that that, maybe not, but what she then doesn't talk about is whether or not the teams are greater than the sum of the parts. I think both teams are and there's no denying Chiefs are where there are because they do play better than the sum of their parts.

I'd argue that we're even more of a team and playing far greater than the sum of the parts, especially in broken play and attack, but as we saw against Bristol the defence has really stepped up.

I think the teams are a lot closer than Maggies scores imply.

[Neils]

Never trust an EA

[Beasties]

Pay wall.

[RogerE]

Pay wall.

According to "a friend"


On a PC: Load the page, press refresh key (not F5) and immediately press refresh key again and you get the whole article - sometimes takes a few attempts, and often pictures are missing, but get to see all the words!.

[Bloke in North Dorset]

Pay wall.

Not on my Brave browser.

[Tervueren]

Rob Baxter and Lee Blackett's men are set to battle it out in Saturday's Premiership final at Twickenham. Two contrasting styles will be on display with Wasps’ tenacious line speed and aggression at the breakdown up against the well-oiled machine of European champions Exeter.

There are world-class players on both sides, but which XV is better on paper? Maggie Alphonsi rates the two teams hoping to become Premiership champions this Saturday, with the teams' total scores at the bottom.

Exeter Chiefs
15. Stuart Hogg

Consistently excellent since a tough start to the Six Nations, Hogg has the ability punish any loose kicks with electric running 8/10

14. Jack Nowell

Awesome in last season’s Premiership decider, Nowell was back from a foot injury for last weekend’s European final. He is relentless on both sides of the ball 9/10   

13. Henry Slade

A crucial playmaker for Exeter outside Joe Simmonds and can release pressure with his left boot – so important in a final 8/10

12. Ollie Devoto

The centre comes back in for Ian Whitten. Even though there is no Malakai Fekitoa for Wasps, his defensive presence feels vital 7/10

11. Olly Woodburn

I have loved watching Woodburn this season. So dangerous in outside channels, he creates chances and scores plenty himself 8/10

10. Joe Simmonds (captain)

Simply on fire. Exeter’s captain is still young but coming of age quickly. After two Premiership final losses, he can show his worth 9/10

9. Jack Maunder

Box-kicking is a fundamental role and Maunder often occupies the front line of defence as well – a big responsibility opposite Dan Robson 7/10

 1. Alec Hepburn

So mobile around the park, Hepburn racks up many subtle contributions in the loose. Exeter’s scrum might scent blood with Wasps’ front-row absences   8/10

2. Luke Cowan-Dickie

Another man pushing for England starts and a good bet to make it onto to scoreboard from the middle of a maul or after a quick-tap 9/10

 3. Harry Williams

Instrumental at the scrum and another tight-five man who enjoys a close-range try. Watch out for his chop-tackling too 8/10

4. Sam Skinner

Swaps roles with compatriot Jonny Gray, who drops to the bench. Who could forget his magical offload in last season’s final? 8/10

5. Jonny Hill

Sensational this season. Scores tries, breaks tackles, gathers lineouts and bullies opponents on the gain-line. Can he maintain that for one more game? 10/10

6. Dave Ewers

Immensely industrious, working himself into the ground every game, and a fantastic latcher. Faces a lighter back row this weekend, which could be interesting 8/10

 7. Jannes Kirsten

An interesting pick from Rob Baxter, who replaces Jacques Vermeulen with a specialist lineout jumper who smashes rucks all day 8/10

 8. Sam Simmonds A brilliant, explosive player. Simmonds senior shrugs off defenders at will. He is also growing as offloading threat 9/10


Wasps
 15. Matteo Minozzi

Sharp in the semi-final and lifts the rest of the side when on his game. Will be keen to get hands on the ball early 7/10

 14. Zach Kibirige

A fast finisher who can punish Chiefs if given too much space. Could be targeted by Exeter’s kicking 7/10

 13. Juan de Jongh

Fekitoa leaves a big hole and De Jongh has not had too much game-time. Has the experience to step up, though 6/10

12. Jimmy Gopperth

His boot keeps Wasps in contention, whether off the tee or as a second-playmaker testing rival wings. Still a fine player at 37 9/10

 11. Josh Bassett

Always committed, taking on teams in broken-field situations and creeping wide to hug the touchlines and gather kick-passes 8/10

 10. Jacob Umaga

Another youngster with a wise head on his shoulders. It is easy to see why Eddie Jones brought him into camp earlier this year 8/10

9. Dan Robson

The scrum-half found another gear after lockdown. His creative, unpredictable kicking is a particularly big strength 9/10 

1. Tom West

A try-scorer in Wasps’ season-defining win over Bath at The Rec, West starts the final. His scrummaging performance could be pivotal 7/10 

2. Tommy Taylor

Dogged but also comfortable on the ball and an accurate passer. Lineout throwing will be pressurised by Exeter’s rangy jumpers 7/10

3. Jeffrey Toomaga-

Allen Seems to have found his feet since lockdown. With Kieran Brookes dropping out, the New Zealander’s power is important 7/10

4. Joe Launchbury (captain)

The skipper has enjoyed some special games at Twickenham and will hope to tie together a strong performance from the underdogs 8/10

5. Will Rowlands

One of Wasps’ most underrated players – a solid defensive jumper and an underrated breakdown threat poised to win more Wales caps 8/10

 6. Jack Willis

A record-breaking season of turnovers has carried Wasps to the final. Not just a jackal-merchant, though. His busy, effective carrying punches holes. 10/10

7. Thomas Young

Dovetails nicely with Jack Willis and is rapid over the ground. The openside’s soft hands allow him to hang wide and link attacks 9/10

8. Tom Willis

In for the resourceful Brad Shields to cap a breakthrough campaign. Sam Simmonds is a stern opponent but Willis junior has promise 8/10

Team totals

Exeter Chiefs: 124
Wasps: 118