Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Vespula Vulgaris on December 30, 2020, 02:12:29 PM
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There's a story doing the rounds on Reddit of Lee and a couple of other Wasps people being seen having coffee with Ollie Devoto not so long ago.
With the potential shortfall at 10/12 next season I'd not be too upset by this...
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I seem to recall him being a target in the past. Does suggest this may be Jimmy's last season as a player, and I wonder if so, whether his poor goal kicking over the past few weeks has been a factor.
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That would be an excellent signing.
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Would be very happy with a Mills/Devoto selection issue at 12.
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That's a signing! A good one too. Also agree suggests Gopperth on the way out. I like this. Hope it's true, if Gopperth is leaving.
I actually thought about Devoto a season or so ago, about him joining us.
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I'd like to think that Jimmy would stay as a coach
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Devoto originally signed a 3 year deal ending in 18/19. In Jan 2019, Chiefs announced that Devoto had signed a two year extension to 20/21. Then, in July 2020, they announced that he had signed another extension presumably for at least another year (21/22). How then can we sign him?
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Mutually agreed? Sarries signed Daly mid contract.
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Alternatively we look up every rugby player who looks remotely like Devoto, perhaps there's been confusing.
I mean Blackett is quite distinguishable, Devoto ain't.
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Mutually agreed? Sarries signed Daly mid contract.
Ah yes the infamous loop hole
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Around July 2020 weren't players being encouraged to sign "extensions" to reduce their salary sure to Covid? Maybe the last "extension" didn't increase the term of the contract?
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Mills had a contract for this season with Worcester. They agreed to release him.
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Someone on the reliable Reddit forum has seen the Double champions, in contract, starting 12 having a coffee...right. I'll end my interest in this 'story' now.
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They did well to find somewhere to have one! To be honest though, it's amazing how often these things turn out to be correct.
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A few weeks ago Jimmy was on top of his game - a couple of disappointing games tells me he needs a break not retirement.
Jimmy will be retained to nurture Umaga and Atkinson - and Sam Spink and Will Simonds - as a player/coach.
I’m afraid I can’t see Juan De Jongh around for next season.
Also - I thought Malakai Fekitoa’s contract expired at the end of the season?
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I know we need to keep the profile of the club up, but would you travel in the branded wasps landy to meet a potential signing for ‘presumably’ a clandestine meeting? Unless it’s a done deal....
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https://www.reddit.com/r/WaspsRFC/comments/kn0cha/did_a_poo_spotted_a_deal/
Tenuous.
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A few weeks ago Jimmy was on top of his game - a couple of disappointing games tells me he needs a break not retirement.
Jimmy will be retained to nurture Umaga and Atkinson - and Sam Spink and Will Simonds - as a player/coach.
Absolutely agree about Gopperth. He is a fantastic player and still very much at the top of his game. Supporters can be ‘emotionally charged’ with their view of a player swinging from one extreme to another from one game to the next (take Sopoaga as another prime example). Yes Jimmy’s (kicking) stats have been below par for a couple of games but then to take that as a sign that he is now all of a sudden over the hill is laughable. The bloke has been worked to the bone and simply needs some rest and recuperation.
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A few weeks ago Jimmy was on top of his game - a couple of disappointing games tells me he needs a break not retirement.
Jimmy will be retained to nurture Umaga and Atkinson - and Sam Spink and Will Simonds - as a player/coach.
Absolutely agree about Gopperth. He is a fantastic player and still very much at the top of his game. Supporters can be ‘emotionally charged’ with their view of a player swinging from one extreme to another from one game to the next (take Sopoaga as another prime example). Yes Jimmy’s (kicking) stats have been below par for a couple of games but then to take that as a sign that he is now all of a sudden over the hill is laughable. The bloke has been worked to the bone and simply needs some rest and recuperation.
Like this comment!!
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+ 1
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https://www.reddit.com/r/WaspsRFC/comments/kn0cha/did_a_poo_spotted_a_deal/
Tenuous.
Taunton Deane seems an odd location has separate service stations on either side of the motorway and isn't exactly half way between Bristol and Exeter.
That said, VV doesn't strike me as the kind of person to post a rumour without any legs and Rugby Onslaught claim to have a picture of the meeting...
https://rugbyonslaught.com/fan-spots-ollie-devoto-in-secret-meeting-with-wasps-coaches-at-service-station-in-bizarre-transfer-leak/
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https://www.reddit.com/r/WaspsRFC/comments/kn0cha/did_a_poo_spotted_a_deal/
Tenuous.
Taunton Deane seems an odd location has separate service stations on either side of the motorway and isn't exactly half way between Bristol and Exeter.
That said, VV doesn't strike me as the kind of person to post a rumour without any legs and Rugby Onslaught claim to have a picture of the meeting...
https://rugbyonslaught.com/fan-spots-ollie-devoto-in-secret-meeting-with-wasps-coaches-at-service-station-in-bizarre-transfer-leak/
Nah they've not actually said what that photo is, classic click bait from a unreliable source. Just says what we already know.
I'll add I know this story shouldn't be taken as fact, but it might be true. The Cipriani rumours for him at Gloucester started from a similar situation. This isn't like rumours "I know a guy at Wasps who says we're getting 'x' player ", this seems a bit more possible because it's not outlandish. I mean Devoto is the best name he could come up with if he were lying? Why not Radradra or Beauden Barrett? Not saying it's true, just saying we'll see what happens!
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https://www.reddit.com/r/WaspsRFC/comments/kn0cha/did_a_poo_spotted_a_deal/
Tenuous.
Taunton Deane seems an odd location has separate service stations on either side of the motorway and isn't exactly half way between Bristol and Exeter.
That said, VV doesn't strike me as the kind of person to post a rumour without any legs and Rugby Onslaught claim to have a picture of the meeting...
https://rugbyonslaught.com/fan-spots-ollie-devoto-in-secret-meeting-with-wasps-coaches-at-service-station-in-bizarre-transfer-leak/
Please don't give it any extra credence because I posted it here. I just thought it was an interesting possibility and was worth a discussion.
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Bobby B has written a lengthy article on who’s definitely staying and rumours in The Coventry Telegraph online. Perhaps someone can C&P it. A lot are in contract for next season, but the names of Malakai and Lima are not there. Matteo is, together with the young guns.
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Lee Blackett highlights Wasps' priority as transfer rumours intensify
https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-transfer-new-rumours-19542161#ICID=Android_CoventryTelegraphNewsApp_AppShare
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BB heavily implies wasps aren't looking for centres.
Also made me realize we never gave Cardall an extension alongside Spink, Porter, Oghre, T Willis etc.
Also no mention at all on Fekitoa or Sopoaga.
And BB reminded me of bizarre rumours including Sam Davies and Siya Kolisi.
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Malakai would be the one that I would be very disappointed to see leaving.
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Malakai would be the one that I would be very disappointed to see leaving.
Very +1
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Devote would be a great signing if we hadn’t already signed Mills and wouldn’t quite work as a Fekitoa replacement either.
Great spot though if true, also not sure you’d all go in the wasps land rover either
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Would it not land us in trouble - when can you officially begin discussions with a player from another Club?
I think Devoto is a great fit for us although I can’t see why he’d leave Chiefs. In theory, a like-for-like replacement for Gopperth (in a salary sense) who is a high-earner in the squad. I think he was signed on something like £300k/season from Leinster at the time?
In theory, Umaga and Atkinson will be able to take over kicking duties and less of a reliance for a 10/12 with a genuine second choice 10 coming through in Charlie and both Miller and Mills able to cover at 10 if need be.
Malakai leaving would feel like a big loss to me. But I think is Sops goes, Malakai will go too. Supposedly, he wasn’t signed on a huge deal and is best-mates with Lima.
It’s been a real shame to not see Lima hit the consistent heights he’s capable of. He’s a really likeable bloke who seems one of life’s good-guys. Irrelevant of what he’s being paid, it’s never nice to hear something openly talk about their struggles with homesickness and getting to grips with the game up here.
Part of me hopes he stays to show us he can nail it, especially whilst we’re a squad that’s in contention for trophies. The other part thinks it’s time to call it a day and spend the money in other areas (like second row!). Love Minozzi at FB and we forget how good a fullback Miller really is when he gets a string of games. After that, we’ve got Umaga, Atkinson and Watson who can all fill in. It’s a really flexible squad.
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BB heavily implies wasps aren't looking for centres.
Also made me realize we never gave Cardall an extension alongside Spink, Porter, Oghre, T Willis etc.
Also no mention at all on Fekitoa or Sopoaga.
And BB reminded me of bizarre rumours including Sam Davies and Siya Kolisi.
Can't believe my random SA second row from Montpellier Sunday morning musing doesn't get a mention in bizarre rumours, or does that mean it has some truth in it........!!!
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Would it not land us in trouble - when can you officially begin discussions with a player from another Club?
Tomorrow. But, you would have to prove what was said. Might simply have been a 'chance' encounter and a friendly coffee, such as must have happened with Daly.
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Would it not land us in trouble - when can you officially begin discussions with a player from another Club?
I think Devoto is a great fit for us although I can’t see why he’d leave Chiefs. In theory, a like-for-like replacement for Gopperth (in a salary sense) who is a high-earner in the squad. I think he was signed on something like £300k/season from Leinster at the time?
In theory, Umaga and Atkinson will be able to take over kicking duties and less of a reliance for a 10/12 with a genuine second choice 10 coming through in Charlie and both Miller and Mills able to cover at 10 if need be.
Malakai leaving would feel like a big loss to me. But I think is Sops goes, Malakai will go too. Supposedly, he wasn’t signed on a huge deal and is best-mates with Lima.
It’s been a real shame to not see Lima hit the consistent heights he’s capable of. He’s a really likeable bloke who seems one of life’s good-guys. Irrelevant of what he’s being paid, it’s never nice to hear something openly talk about their struggles with homesickness and getting to grips with the game up here.
Part of me hopes he stays to show us he can nail it, especially whilst we’re a squad that’s in contention for trophies. The other part thinks it’s time to call it a day and spend the money in other areas (like second row!). Love Minozzi at FB and we forget how good a fullback Miller really is when he gets a string of games. After that, we’ve got Umaga, Atkinson and Watson who can all fill in. It’s a really flexible squad.
+1
My only comment is Devoto's motivation to leave chiefs could be money. Doubt he's on as much as Nowell, Cowan-Dickie or Slade.
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Malakai would be the one that I would be very disappointed to see leaving.
Very +1
Agreed. I’d also add:
- Bassett: last signed a ‘long term contract’ in January 2018, so assuming it was 3 years then it ends this summer. We really need to nail him down.
- T Willis: last signed a ‘contract extension’ in March 2018, so again assuming it was a 3 year contract it’s fair to assume his contract will also be up this summer. Another important one to nail down.
These guys may be nearing the end of their contracts too. I can only hope that since they didn’t extend last summer ahead of that deadline, that their contracts run into 2022 at least.
- Taylor, Harris: both last signed ‘contract extensions’ in December 2018.
- Brookes, Cruse, Gaskell: all signed ‘contract extensions’ in March-May 2019.
The strange one for me is Zhvania who signed a ‘new contract’ in January 2019 keeping him at the club until summer 2020. He’s obviously still at the club but no contract extension was announced this year (happy to be corrected), so I’m not sure what the situation is there.
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The strange one for me is Zhvania who signed a ‘new contract’ in January 2019 keeping him at the club until summer 2020. He’s obviously still at the club but no contract extension was announced this year (happy to be corrected), so I’m not sure what the situation is there.
There was something a while ago on one of the FB groups from someone that knew Zhvania personally that said he was signed up for another two years I believe.
Also regarding Fekitoa, not sure him staying his entirely dependent on Lima despite them being good mates. Think he lives with Vailanu (who I guess could also be off) and think his girlfriend is French so maybe establishing roots up here - surely out of NZ contention now so just needs to keep taking the money in Europe.
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Looks to me like the Kiwi trio of MF, LS and JTA are in doubt. I'd certainly like to keep MF and JTA. I think we'll potentially lose a hooker, Cardall and Rowlands. I'd like to retain all props maybe with the exception of Zhvania. Those departures should free up enough cash to secure two second rows. The rest of the gaps are plugged by progression from the academy that we're already seeing.
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Tom Willis signed extension in summer
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It would be a real shame to lose JTA. Like WLR he appears to have struggled to come to terms with NH rugby but now he has he looks like he could be a real bedrock of the team.
He has great attitude, I wonder how he is around the youngsters in the academy and below that?
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It would be a real shame to lose JTA. Like WLR he appears to have struggled to come to terms with NH rugby but now he has he looks like he could be a real bedrock of the team.
He has great attitude, I wonder how he is around the youngsters in the academy and below that?
Unlike WLR, international rugby is unlikely to draw him back to NZ I suspect, so there may be a slightly better chance of him staying.
Does he have family? How they've settled could be the most important thing.
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Can't believe my random SA second row from Montpellier Sunday morning musing doesn't get a mention in bizarre rumours, or does that mean it has some truth in it........!!!
You should have said you were parked in lay-by when Montpellier kit van pulled in , and a man looking like DR hopped out from behind bush and got in side door .
Would have been picked up by daily’s straight away
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There was something a while ago on one of the FB groups from someone that knew Zhvania personally that said he was signed up for another two years I believe.
Which is all the more puzzling because as far as I’m aware the club never announced the extension. Again happy to be corrected.
It would be a real shame to lose JTA. Like WLR said he appears to have struggled to come to terms with NH rugby but now he has he looks like he could be a real bedrock of the team.
He has great attitude, I wonder how he is around the youngsters in the academy and below that?
Toomaga-Allen certainly has come into his own since the lockdown. During the first half of last season, Alo and even Owlett were getting the nod ahead of him. His physicality is impressive (he’s even heavier than Alo who gets called a ‘semi-detached house’). His turnovers and steals are fun to watch ... the ‘puzzled’ look he gives as he does it is priceless.
I think his big character makes him well liked within the squad. He reminds me a bit of Haskell & Marler with his demeanor & sense of humour. During the Sale game (69:46), he nonchalantly wrapped his arms around CMK to clean his studs - who else can do that and get away with it!
As for his contract, he only joined a year ago (2019/2020), so I can only imagine he would not have moved with his family half way across the world (literally) without having a long term contract in place (3 years or 2+1 at least), so I’d hope/expect he’ll be with us until 2022 at least.
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https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-centre-ollie-devoto-linked-with-shock-move-to-wasps/
Rugbypass adding to the Devoto story. They added:
"RugbyPass understands that there could be some substance to the rumours that the England centre has piqued the interest of the Coventry based side, where Devoto could potentially be seen as a long-term replacement for 37-year-old Jimmy Gopperth. Although he is yet to confirm his future intentions, Gopperth turns 38 this June, so it’s hardly a stretch to imagine that 2021 could be the New Zealander’s final season as a player."
And
"Whether Devoto is a target of Wasps or not, one source did tell RugbyPass that the men in black were in the market for a centre."
I mean they might just be stating the painfully obvious.
Probably nothing, but they tend to be somewhat reliable and don't tend to agree with every rumour (they ignored the Kolisi and Sam Davies rumours). Basically I trust these guys on par with Rugby paper.
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I tend to read most rumours as we're talking to them, not that their signing is guaranteed. I think too many people look at them the other way. If a player is talking to 3 clubs, 2 of them aren't going to get him, but it doesn't mean that the rumours were wrong.
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JTA is a lovely chap and very kind to doddery old biddies. He stopped and chatted with me during the BBQ a Sponsor as I was alone (waiting for the others to return from piling food onto their plates) and was very concerned that I wasn't eating, and wanted to go to get me a plate of lunch. How kind is that. He iss proud Dad to a little boy.
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There was something a while ago on one of the FB groups from someone that knew Zhvania personally that said he was signed up for another two years I believe.
Which is all the more puzzling because as far as I’m aware the club never announced the extension. Again happy to be corrected.
It would be a real shame to lose JTA. Like WLR said he appears to have struggled to come to terms with NH rugby but now he has he looks like he could be a real bedrock of the team.
He has great attitude, I wonder how he is around the youngsters in the academy and below that?
Toomaga-Allen certainly has come into his own since the lockdown. During the first half of last season, Alo and even Owlett were getting the nod ahead of him. His physicality is impressive (he’s even heavier than Alo who gets called a ‘semi-detached house’). His turnovers and steals are fun to watch ... the ‘puzzled’ look he gives as he does it is priceless.
I think his big character makes him well liked within the squad. He reminds me a bit of Haskell & Marler with his demeanor & sense of humour. During the Sale game (69:46), he nonchalantly wrapped his arms around CMK to clean his studs - who else can do that and get away with it!
As for his contract, he only joined a year ago (2019/2020), so I can only imagine he would not have moved with his family half way across the world (literally) without having a long term contract in place (3 years or 2+1 at least), so I’d hope/expect he’ll be with us until 2022 at least.
Totally agree, the guys a character and I think every team needs one of those. I like his cheeky antics...and I like what he brings. Now his scrummaging is sorted, his open play work rate is noticeable.
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Can't believe my random SA second row from Montpellier Sunday morning musing doesn't get a mention in bizarre rumours, or does that mean it has some truth in it........!!!
You should have said you were parked in lay-by when Montpellier kit van pulled in , and a man looking like DR hopped out from behind bush and got in side door .
Would have been picked up by daily’s straight away
Did I not mention I was at Corley Services when a man in a sleigh pulled up who looked like SC and Sting and the SA second row came out of the shop having bought a wetsuit and a unicorn shape pillow and hopped in?
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Were you with Elvis?
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Were you with Elvis?
Can't have been, he was in our local chippie.
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Were you with Elvis?
Uh-huh-huh
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It's now or never for a lot of these deals so unless we want to be all shook up maybe we need a little less conversation and a little more action. Personally I think most of the speculation is just down to suspicious minds.
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It's now or never for a lot of these deals so unless we want to be all shook up maybe we need a little less conversation and a little more action. Personally I think most of the speculation is just down to suspicious minds.
I’ve got to leave the building after all that😂
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:) :)
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https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-rumour-ollie-devoto-19553936.amp
And that rumour of meeting Ollie Devoto in midweek at Taunton Dean services?
"I've never met Ollie Devoto in my life."
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https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-rumour-ollie-devoto-19553936.amp
And that rumour of meeting Ollie Devoto in midweek at Taunton Dean services?
"I've never met Ollie Devoto in my life."
But curiously, didn’t say he wasn’t there. Must have been Slade then :P
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Not suggesting he did meet him but I'm absolutely sure he wouldn't admit to it pre Jan!
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https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-rugby-rumour-ollie-devoto-19553936.amp
And that rumour of meeting Ollie Devoto in midweek at Taunton Dean services?
"I've never met Ollie Devoto in my life."
Perhaps he was denying being interested in a player who had little impact on the game just played!