Actually think it was noticable for me that the reffing gave the defending teams a lot more chance. Forget the contestable decisions, the game was a better spectacle because the team with the ball could easily lose it.
That, and the attitude of both teams to win the game by playing rugby contributed to a better spectacle. I would guess that half the turnovers awarded today would just have been penalties to the teams with the ball in the premiership, which brings me back to the idea that our refs are hurting the game.
We played really well for most of the game. Be honest now, who would have thought we would look as good as we did? The issues we had with the set piece vanished until the late subs and we looked marvelous with quick ball all day long. The last ten was predictable and disappointing though.
When Taylor went off, the lineout goes back to what we all expected. We have to wonder if Lee is thinking the unthinkable- that one of our bright, young hookers might actually be a 7 who can cover hooker in an emergency. Others here will be better placed than me to judge, but from all we have seen, our scrum and lineout are better when he is not there, whilst his work around the pitch makes him look good at doing things I don't expect from a 2. It is like the JTA situation - he can do lots of nice things but when we need to hold our own scrum its head down into the turf and arm up. Too late for JTA to change positions, but not for Oghre.
More unthinkables- I don't think Jimmy should be playing next year- when was the last good game he had? Last good cameo? I don't even think Jimmy thinks he should be playing next year these past few weeks. He came on with 5, ludicrously short but tells you where Lee is heading. Presumably it was to add experience and a boot in case of 3 but his contribution was as bad as Kiberige''s, and yes it is really hard to do anything in five mins that wins the game, but I still think he may decide to move into coaching.
It was nice to see what Booj can do. Odogwu looked really sharp- Eddie really mucked him about. Bassett worked well. The back row were outstanding. Most of all Robson was brilliant. Jacob will take some confidence too, not many howlers but I feel he still forces it too often.
Moving forward I think it is time to look to the future.
We look better with Odogwu on the field than not. He has to play somewhere.
We look better with a big centre pairing these past couple of weeks.
Minozzi will come good, he had a WLR moment he will not live down, and hopefully never do again.
If Kieran goes we will need another TH.
I am heartbroken for the lads, but compared to the drivel of late Jan and February, I am optimistic of a decent run in.
Always a Wasp
