Teams Up for Briz - Jack Starts.

[Shugs]

I think Odogwu is a very good winger and potentially a good centre. 13 is a really difficult position to master - mainly the variations you have to cover defensively. I think it’s that side of things Odogwu has to work on.

[Westy68]

I think Paolo isn't that bad at the breakdown as well, he has definitely made some turnovers. I do agree a bit with Hymenoptera as to why would Lee drop Spink who is getting better and better. Paolo seems to be a better runner with the ball, so needs to get into the game more but I also think now our weakest position is wing. I'm still not 100% how good Paolo is

[Bloke in North Dorset]

I was in to the Paulo at 13 camp when we were struggling in that position and I think he's still got potential, however I prefer a specialist there if we have one.

As a winger I think his strength is his leg power and not necessary blistering pace, although he's pretty fast. Last week he got involved with a couple of pick and goes and looked quite good. I also like him coming off his wing and going through the middle, again his leg drive can get us over the gain line.

The problem is incorporating all that in to a game plan that doesn't leave us exposed on the wing defensively, especially with Jacob at full back. I'm sure the coaches will figure it all out.

[wasps]

He seems to be a runner who takes short steps, which allows him to change direction quickly and then power through a flailing arm.

He may have lots to learn in either position, but his physical attributes are very good.

[Covkid40]

Good side but where is Crossdale? Jacob had a decent game last week but Crossdale is a better 15

[Mellie]

Good side but where is Crossdale? Jacob had a decent game last week but Crossdale is a better 15

You may think so but the coaches don't agree with you. Neither do I.

In his last couple of games Crossdale was terrible in defence. Missed tackles and dropped balls. Jacob may not give people confidence but he does make tackles, just needs better technique. His broken field running is also very good.

I suspect the coaches are working on Crossdale's defence until he convinces them that it is good enough. I think that may be the reason he's not been seen recently.

[DGP Wasp]

He seems to be a runner who takes short steps, which allows him to change direction quickly and then power through a flailing arm.

He may have lots to learn in either position, but his physical attributes are very good.

Those short, very quick steps make a player very hard to tackle effectively, especially one with the physique of Paolo.  Part of what makes him such a carrying threat.

[Covkid40]

Good side but where is Crossdale? Jacob had a decent game last week but Crossdale is a better 15

You may think so but the coaches don't agree with you. Neither do I.

In his last couple of games Crossdale was terrible in defence. Missed tackles and dropped balls. Jacob may not give people confidence but he does make tackles, just needs better technique. His broken field running is also very good.

I suspect the coaches are working on Crossdale's defence until he convinces them that it is good enough. I think that may be the reason he's not been seen recently.

While I agree his broken field running is good I cannot agree that his tackling is better and he just needs better technique. He misses more tackles than most and is very lightweight in the tackle and very often being the last line of defence that is a problem. If a player breaks through I have very little confidence that he is capable of stopping them plus under a high ball he is 50/50 at best

[wasps]

I don't know enough about full back play to have a real opinion on this.

However, if it's not that the coaches prefer Jacob at full back at the moment, what would be the reasoning for him starting there over the last 3 games that he's been available?

[Trevs Big Tackle]

I don't know enough about full back play to have a real opinion on this.

However, if it's not that the coaches prefer Jacob at full back at the moment, what would be the reasoning for him starting there over the last 3 games that he's been available?

I think it might be to help manage the bench and provide versatility and cover where it's necessary.

Obviously the bench will have a scrum half on it, so that's a given. A typical 5-3 split leaves you just two more backs. Mills is still potentially rusty and still an injury worry so Gopperth has to be on the bench. Watson on the bench to cover the back 3 positions. You would normally want cover for fly-half on the bench and, I know it's sacrilege, but I don't think Wasps play particularly brilliantly with Gopperth at 10. So in order to keep an option to replace Atkinson at 10, Jacob starts at fullback.

I know this potentially creates more questions than it answers - why Watson over Crossdale? Why not start Watson at fullback with Jacob on the bench? But, hey-ho, that's my tuppence worth!

[wasps]

Although I said I don't have much of an opinion on the relative skills of Jacob and Ali, I think there is an element of keeping Jacob in form.


There may be pro's and cons to either of them, but if the coaching team feel that there's little to choose between them, but that keeping Jacob playing regularly will improve his form for when he's required at 10, and also improve his overall skillset, then it's worth it.

[hopwood]

I’m a fan of Jacob.
Used to be a big fan, but there are a few frailties in his game.
When he plays a few consecutive games, he gets confidence and plays better.

He’s very good at eyeing space, especially at 15, and then timing his run to hit the line at the right moment to cause problems.
He’s our current place kicker.
With confidence, he’s very good under the high ball. When confidence dips, he’s not as safe.
He’s very good at tackling a man side on, or from behind.

However, his main frailty is tackling a straight-on runner.
And he also offers nothing as first person to a breakdown ruck situation. He’s literally powderpuff.
I really noticed this last week. He didn’t even attempt to offer resistance…and therefore Bath were able to maintain possession easily and ultimately scored.

So psychologically, he’s got a limiting belief about straight-on tackles.
That…and poor technique (which results from a poor belief about one’s capability in that situation).
Maybe a fear of pain, to some extent. And only natural for a human being….until you go through drill after drill…and recondition your brain to think differently.

I think this is/was a key issue for Cipriani too. And probably why he never really got many opportunities for England.
Just a bit too worried about pain…and never got enough ‘enjoyment’ from the tackle.

I’m hoping Jacob can expand that part of his game. These days, there’s nowhere to hide.

[Neils]

I think Jacob is a far far better tackler than Cipriani. He doesn't run away but his technique needs improving