Always a Wasp
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91
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Edinburgh match
« on: December 07, 2019, 10:52:47 AM »
I thought some of our backs play off set piece was good and so was the defence for the most part.
Second row was a big issue. Too much movement at lineout time made things even harder for us and then at scrum time it was clear that Brooke's etc were missing that extra weight and experience behined them.
But once again it was individual errors that cost the team. Kilbrigie is outstanding in attack but you might aswel blindfold him in defence. Miller is nowhere near the player he was. Terible in the air, defence and also was unable to hold onto the ball when running in open field. His defence has never been good but last night he might aswel have been a turnstile. Josh Bassett has been left behined by the evolving role of a winger. Yes he can run but he is no good in an aerial battle.
Outside of these 3 players and a very in experienced second row and a bench held together by tape I dont think it was all that bad. For the first time we showed some structure in attack and defence and also plenty of team spirit and communication.
Also thought even Lima was much improved. Some nice kicks, runs and he got the backline going off set piece.
We need to cut out the individual errors and hope for some luck on injury front.
As for those comparing performances now to 3 years ago well just look at the budget difference. Same goes for the coaching team at a time wasps wanted to expand this after operating on a shoe string for years either the right candidate was not available or the funds werent. We need to work with what we have got and what we have is not so bad. I think we are showing much more cohesion and team spirit than last year we just need some luck and for a few to concentrate for the full 80.
Second row was a big issue. Too much movement at lineout time made things even harder for us and then at scrum time it was clear that Brooke's etc were missing that extra weight and experience behined them.
But once again it was individual errors that cost the team. Kilbrigie is outstanding in attack but you might aswel blindfold him in defence. Miller is nowhere near the player he was. Terible in the air, defence and also was unable to hold onto the ball when running in open field. His defence has never been good but last night he might aswel have been a turnstile. Josh Bassett has been left behined by the evolving role of a winger. Yes he can run but he is no good in an aerial battle.
Outside of these 3 players and a very in experienced second row and a bench held together by tape I dont think it was all that bad. For the first time we showed some structure in attack and defence and also plenty of team spirit and communication.
Also thought even Lima was much improved. Some nice kicks, runs and he got the backline going off set piece.
We need to cut out the individual errors and hope for some luck on injury front.
As for those comparing performances now to 3 years ago well just look at the budget difference. Same goes for the coaching team at a time wasps wanted to expand this after operating on a shoe string for years either the right candidate was not available or the funds werent. We need to work with what we have got and what we have is not so bad. I think we are showing much more cohesion and team spirit than last year we just need some luck and for a few to concentrate for the full 80.
92
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Teams Up for Edinburgh - Josh Back
« on: December 05, 2019, 06:37:57 PM »
No more injuries and I will be happy. I'm concerned Shields and a few others might still be carrying knocks and in an ideal world would still be rested.
I've liked what I have seen from Minotzi(msp) but was disappointed he didnt finish that try against Exeter.
I've liked what I have seen from Minotzi(msp) but was disappointed he didnt finish that try against Exeter.
93
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Is it just me
« on: November 30, 2019, 11:28:13 AM »
Agree totally. The game felt flat to me. Lots of niggle from Saracens. I'm sorry I just can no stand any of them players coaches brand however you want to cover it. They have tarnished a game I love and everytime I hear their play praised it makes me sick to stomach. Something has to change. For me not enough has been said about the players. It's all about Wray. Well if you didn't use agents then surely the players themselves made the dubious deals. Each and everyone one of them should be tarnished. BV is an utter tool does very little on the field just niggles and makes gestures at crowd. Elliot fits in well. A petulant idiot.
94
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Saracens told to open books by Premiership Rugby
« on: November 26, 2019, 07:17:24 PM »Rugby Union Weekly has been markedly improved by having Ashton join them (and I never thought I'd say that). The fact that 2 of the presenters are still current players does make it different to all the ex-player lead pods. Ugo is barely tolerable most of the time, but his pressing Ashton constantly on the Estate Agents has been spot on.
I'm also a Blood & Mud enthusiast, from long before it was a podcast. Something about their sense of humor matches mine, and the Rassie Erasmus interviewing himself for his job impression always have me laughing out loud like a madman on the daily commute.
I agree.
My Ms even finds it funny. The Royal Rumble match up was one of my favourites.
Not wanting to deviate from the thread. The whole thing is frustrating. A revised apology would be something the ignorance to the extent of what they have been up to is a joke. For me it's worse than a single drug cheat. This has been systematic cheating and wrapped up as player welfare and being hard done by is such nonsense.
95
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Saracens told to open books by Premiership Rugby
« on: November 26, 2019, 06:00:32 PM »
The Ruck Podcast this week was a difficult listen. Stephen Jones was a joke and I thought the way he spoke to LOL etc was reflective of a desperate man looking to defend the indefensible. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but I am not sure anyone I have ever heard mention him likes him or agrees with anything he says. He controversial for the sake of it a bit like the tool on Egg Chasers. Its comes to something when I've been enjoying Rugby union weekly with Ugo (not a fan), Ashton and Care. Even big Jim on the rugby pod has become a bit of a joke in his attempts to defend the behaviour.
My favouriteis Blood and Mud refreshingly unbiased even if you dont like how negative they are and how much they swear.
Not for their comments around Salaries but I think Flats and Shanks have gone down hill a lot to.
My favouriteis Blood and Mud refreshingly unbiased even if you dont like how negative they are and how much they swear.
Not for their comments around Salaries but I think Flats and Shanks have gone down hill a lot to.
96
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: November 23, 2019, 04:46:42 PM »
Thank you great find
97
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Morning All
« on: November 23, 2019, 02:17:11 PM »
Anyone know where you might be able to watch or listen to the match online?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
98
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Saracens docked 35 points
« on: November 13, 2019, 07:49:55 AM »
Jim Hamilton is a joke given his behaviour at Gloucester on Saturday and then on the rugby pod this week. Even Chris Ashton was not that painful when interviewed about the situation. Saracens PR machine is in overdrive and is clutching.
99
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sale Game Thread
« on: November 10, 2019, 02:22:24 PM »
Negatives for me were JTA at scrumtime and obviously the amount of penalties given away. The game at ruck time had descended into chaos thanks to some bizarre calls for both teams by the ref.
But I did think Sopps showed up better with some nice touches. Vailanu seems to be getting better as the weeks go on. I actually think for the most part we are showing some much better signs than last year. Defense is solid more frequently but still has the odd brain fart often after a silly turnover from maybe a spilled ball that's then spread wide. But think we defend in the tight a lot better and our set piece is more of a weapon.
Overall I just think penalties and some of the silly play shows how low on confidence or desperate the players are and forcing things. I dont think we are as worse off as last season. Be nice to have more impact from the bench but I think that might come with time if not just for some players returning from injury.
But I did think Sopps showed up better with some nice touches. Vailanu seems to be getting better as the weeks go on. I actually think for the most part we are showing some much better signs than last year. Defense is solid more frequently but still has the odd brain fart often after a silly turnover from maybe a spilled ball that's then spread wide. But think we defend in the tight a lot better and our set piece is more of a weapon.
Overall I just think penalties and some of the silly play shows how low on confidence or desperate the players are and forcing things. I dont think we are as worse off as last season. Be nice to have more impact from the bench but I think that might come with time if not just for some players returning from injury.
100
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Monye
« on: November 01, 2019, 08:31:53 PM »
Ugo is embarrassing himself tonight vs Saints
101
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Wasps 2019/20 anticipated league position
« on: October 26, 2019, 07:18:36 PM »
Any idea when Gopps is back fit? Feels like we haven't seen him in an age.
I know dan today had taken a knock but two games in a row now I've noticed his service has often been poor. I'm a big fan of his so not knocking him but just an observation sometimes Lima and Co are getting the ball on their shoe laces too often and its rattling our attacking game.
I know dan today had taken a knock but two games in a row now I've noticed his service has often been poor. I'm a big fan of his so not knocking him but just an observation sometimes Lima and Co are getting the ball on their shoe laces too often and its rattling our attacking game.
102
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Match thread - spoilers
« on: October 26, 2019, 04:56:32 PM »
I agree some signs of a platform but then a glaring error and a breakaway try. Considering the losses this might sound silly but think there are signs that teams are not going to break us down as easily the defence inside of the outside backs seems alot more gritty. The defence in the outside backs is awful though but mainly individual errors costing us.
The Fekitoa card was silly but at sametime the 8 was killing the ball after coming in at the side. If refs dont want self policing then they need to do more. On that note though i do like today's ref more than most think hes done a good job overall but the yellow for Fekitoa was blown up a bit out of proportion.
I had a big issue with our kick chase game last year and it cost us dear again today. Glaws done a lot more to put pressure on our kickers and catchers.
On times I think the team are showing signs of frustration but I can see the effort being made and the team seem to be really backing one another up. Hopefully we will see the errors cut down and some return on the effort.
The Fekitoa card was silly but at sametime the 8 was killing the ball after coming in at the side. If refs dont want self policing then they need to do more. On that note though i do like today's ref more than most think hes done a good job overall but the yellow for Fekitoa was blown up a bit out of proportion.
I had a big issue with our kick chase game last year and it cost us dear again today. Glaws done a lot more to put pressure on our kickers and catchers.
On times I think the team are showing signs of frustration but I can see the effort being made and the team seem to be really backing one another up. Hopefully we will see the errors cut down and some return on the effort.
103
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Salary Cap
« on: October 21, 2019, 02:07:53 PM »I know I'm going to be the bad guy by saying this but if Sarries are deemed to have done nothing illegal then they can't suffer any sanction. Morally, using the loophole puts others at a disadvantage but nothing illegal has been done (apparently according to the judges panel). The way I see it, the only way that Sarries will be affected this season is if the loophole was closed with immediate effect. I.e Sarries will not be able to pay the players without 'officially' breaking the salary cap.
I get the point you are making and I wonder if it is the reason for the hold up. But am I correct in thinking that when breaches were previously settled in private it was agreed any loop holes should be reported to the cap manager before being taken advantage of. Or something to that effect.
104
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Saints game thread
« on: September 30, 2019, 05:59:27 PM »
The result was important for the confidence of a largely new squad of players. I still feel 12 is our weakness and have fears that there is lots going on off the field that means we have been unable to replace some of the talent we have lost in recent years. There is no way the playing budget is what it was and I also fancy the same restraints are being seen in the coaching set up.
Having said that I am excited to see what a young exciting new crop of players can produce. Impressed with Umaga who seems very confident and willing to try things at 10. Same goes for a number of other young players making the step up such as the 9 who played and Spink etc.
Zizzi is fast becoming one of my favourite players in the pack. He will soon have a very exciting highlight reel for someone in the front row.
My frustrations from yesterday... our in ability to defend in the wide channels. Both our wings too often found themselves on their heels or caught between jamming in and staying wide. I actually dont think our defence in the tight is as bad as it might seem but teams are confident enough to go wide against us early and it pays off. I wonder if it's a vicious circle the more nervous we get defending the tighter we get and the worse we get at defending the more teams are willing to throw it wide against us. A lot of the time though it seems one on one tackling that is the issue and not so much systems. Also think we could he a lot smarter at ruck time. Too often we are not savvy enough. A lot of other prem teams are very savvy in this area. In attack I notice Exeter seem to lay on the ball waiting for support before placing it back and in defence a second tackler often gets involved in the tackle just for the sake of cluttering the clear out allowing for a third player to tackle. I know refs have tried to clamp down on my second point but still teams do it way more effectively than us.
All in all excited for the season ahead but I think results wise it might not be much different to last year but difference is we are rebuilding rather than dismantling a squad.
COYW
Having said that I am excited to see what a young exciting new crop of players can produce. Impressed with Umaga who seems very confident and willing to try things at 10. Same goes for a number of other young players making the step up such as the 9 who played and Spink etc.
Zizzi is fast becoming one of my favourite players in the pack. He will soon have a very exciting highlight reel for someone in the front row.
My frustrations from yesterday... our in ability to defend in the wide channels. Both our wings too often found themselves on their heels or caught between jamming in and staying wide. I actually dont think our defence in the tight is as bad as it might seem but teams are confident enough to go wide against us early and it pays off. I wonder if it's a vicious circle the more nervous we get defending the tighter we get and the worse we get at defending the more teams are willing to throw it wide against us. A lot of the time though it seems one on one tackling that is the issue and not so much systems. Also think we could he a lot smarter at ruck time. Too often we are not savvy enough. A lot of other prem teams are very savvy in this area. In attack I notice Exeter seem to lay on the ball waiting for support before placing it back and in defence a second tackler often gets involved in the tackle just for the sake of cluttering the clear out allowing for a third player to tackle. I know refs have tried to clamp down on my second point but still teams do it way more effectively than us.
All in all excited for the season ahead but I think results wise it might not be much different to last year but difference is we are rebuilding rather than dismantling a squad.
COYW