I watched the game late yesterday evening without knowing the score so went on the same emotional roller coaster ride as those who watched the game live else and was quite exhausted when we got off at the top, for once. Yes, we had the rub of the green on a few occasions, but we also butchered two golden opportunities that a confident Wasps side would have walked in as if it was a Sunday afternoon picnic in the park.
Its great to see Jacob getting his confidence back, all teams need a confident 10 but Wasps even more so if we are to play in the style that is in the DNA - I'd go further and say we need one who plays with a bit of arrogance and he's got it when at his best. I still worry about his tackle technique, he's brave but often gets his head in the wrong position and because he gets hidden away defensively when he is exposed its to bigger forwards. Still, you cant have everything in a young player and I'm sure its being worked on.
Jacob can't do his job without some quick ball and Dobbie had a good game and was close to his best. No flashy breaks but quick to the breakdown with his head up and fast accurate distribution, "that" pass not withstanding. But he can't do his job without the back row doing theirs and they were all outstanding. I was a bit concerned about some of his box kicks but the centres and backs worked hard to get to them.
Brad showed his leadership qualities again, especially in defence on our own line. YY just gets on with it as always and his try scoring record is testament to his contribution, thank you Wales. Ben Morris is developing in to a really solid player and I think he will become a fans' favourite once we get back in the stadium and his unfussy work rate get the attention it deserves. It looks to me like he's learning a lot from Brad in the way he plays.
As others have said on numerous occasions, we're really going to miss Will Rowlands, especially when Joe Launchbury is missing, so not much to add there.
I don't really understand the dark arts of the front row but that struck me as a performance that's as good as it gets for the starting guys, with Taylor getting back to real form just in time to leave
It was said in commentary and has been discussed in these pages before, Paulo needs to go hunting for a bit more work rather than hanging about on the wing. Maybe that's game plan or lack of confidence having missed playing for so long and is open for discussion, but he'll get there.
Rob Miller looked a lot sharper and I've made my membership of his fan club known in the past so not a great deal to add. With the unfortunate injury to Minozzi he should get a good run and add some competition to full back. On that subject there was a discussion in another thread about Jacob playing 15 in an emergency. That got me wondering if Josh could play there if needed? He's good under a high ball, quick and not afraid of tackling.
The biggest lift from that game will come from fighting back after letting Bath dominate the 2nd half. Yes, they went down to 14 men but we don't have a good record playing against teams that are a man down, or even 2 down. That will make for a much more comfortable 2 week break than another loss would have.
I'm going to leave me rose tinted glasses on and enjoy reflecting on that game for a bit longer and not think about Quinns at the Stoop as our next game
Always a Wasp
