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1246
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Well We Made a Right B*llocks of That.
« on: January 13, 2018, 11:31:26 PM »
As I posted on the other place, does nobody drop goals anymore? We should have looked for a drop near the end when we had a penalty. Rather than take a shot at the posts (and fail), kick to the corner, work the ball infield and then take a drop. At the end when Quins needed 3 points to beat us, I was looking for them to take a drop. I guess a drop goal has gone out of fashion:(
1247
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Kyle Eastmond
« on: December 18, 2017, 11:20:58 AM »
In his games after coming back from a long injury, he has really played well. He was close to my MoM yesterday. And, along with Launch, he is in The Telegraph's European team of the weekend. If there is the slightest doubt about Gopps fitness then I would be quite happy to see Kyle start against Glaws. In fact I would be tempted to start him anyway, however Elliot may be unfit and that would mean we are out another kicker. Gets on well with WLR.
"the boytjie from Oldham"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcz4JdlnPpb/
"the boytjie from Oldham"
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcz4JdlnPpb/
1248
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Try Conversions?
« on: December 17, 2017, 03:21:54 PM »
Can someone please explain to me the apparent obsession with converting a try after we had scored our third try and did not need the 2 points from Cips (actually excellent) conversion? The whole thing took nearly a minute of valuable time. A quick attempted drop and then get the ball back in play surely?
1249
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Danny and France
« on: December 10, 2017, 10:43:09 AM »
Article in today's Guardian. Looks like we shall know after Christmas.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/09/danny-cipriani-wasps-move-to-france-champions-cup-la-rochelle
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/dec/09/danny-cipriani-wasps-move-to-france-champions-cup-la-rochelle
1250
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Elliot Daly voted Old Mutual Wealth Player of the Series
« on: November 28, 2017, 08:35:13 PM »
News Here:
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/11147735/elliot-daly-voted-old-mutual-wealth-player-of-the-series
Very well deserved. And Launch is third. Well done.
http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/11147735/elliot-daly-voted-old-mutual-wealth-player-of-the-series
Very well deserved. And Launch is third. Well done.
1251
Wasps Rugby Discussion / London Irish Yesterday
« on: November 27, 2017, 10:42:10 AM »
Having to read the LI board as DW is down (again). Haven't seen any of the game but the general consensus on their board is that the game changed significantly when Cips came on.
Dai will have some difficult decisions to make when our backs are all fully fit. I thought Kyle and JdeJ really clicked in the Falcons game. So where does that leave Gopps, Daly and, to a lesser extent, Gaby? Wadey and Josh, IMO are nailed on. Willie looks like he is regaining confidence and form - though I understand he was a bit of a curate's egg yesterday. A pass to Josh (I think) has been described as 'sublime' and 'genius'.
Looking forward to Prem Rugby TV putting the full game up.
Dai will have some difficult decisions to make when our backs are all fully fit. I thought Kyle and JdeJ really clicked in the Falcons game. So where does that leave Gopps, Daly and, to a lesser extent, Gaby? Wadey and Josh, IMO are nailed on. Willie looks like he is regaining confidence and form - though I understand he was a bit of a curate's egg yesterday. A pass to Josh (I think) has been described as 'sublime' and 'genius'.
Looking forward to Prem Rugby TV putting the full game up.
1252
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Interesting Article on Our Problems in Yesterday's Telegraph.
« on: October 07, 2017, 08:55:45 AM »
I've posted it complete, as a link will only demand that you register to read it!
I think he perhaps might have mentioned the contrast in last season's September weather and this autumn. I know it's been the same for every team but we definitely prefer firm going.
Wasps, the great entertainers of English rugby, have lost their buzz. What was supposed to be the grand occasion of their 150th anniversary match against Bath last Sunday fell flatter than Theresa May reciting iTunes’ terms and conditions.
A tryless 25-9 reverse marked a third consecutive loss as well as back-to-back defeats at the Ricoh Arena where they previously unbeaten since December 2015. It does not get any easier with Saracens lying in wait on Sunday before a five-day turnaround for their trip to Ulster and the opening match of the Champions Cup.
Fortunes can shift rapidly. Exeter lost six of their first nine fixtures last season before rebounding to beat Wasps 23-20 in the Premiership final. Six of the last nine losing finalists subsequently went on to win the league the following season. Whether Wasps can become the next team in that sequence will depend largely on how quickly they can arrest this current tailspin.
So how have Wasps found themselves stuck in a jam? The most obvious place to start is with their injuries. From being overwhelmed with choice in certain positions last season, Dai Young, the director of rugby, is now down to the barest of bones. “I’m not having any sleepless nights about selection because we've got 24 guys to pick 23 from,” Young says, with typical deadpan humour.
As this newspaper has documented, Wasps are far from alone in having a treatment room that resembles a “morgue”. Some clubs are missing more players, but injuries have had a disproportionate effect on Wasps’ results for two reasons.
Firstly, they do not have the option of calling as many academy reinforcements as their rivals do. “Other clubs have got eight or nine senior academy players who can back that up, that’s something we’ve got to grow,” Young says.
When they relocated to Coventry in 2014, they gave up their fertile academy territory in Middlesex for the parts of the West Midlands that Worcester had not already claimed. It will take several years for that pipeline to be up and running.
Secondly, the injuries have forced Young to change his attacking structure. Last season, Wasps employed a twin playmaker system, commonly with Danny Cipriani at No 10 and Jimmy Gopperth at 12, to great effect. Kurtley Beale and Kyle Eastmond could also fill in as second receiver. Beale is now departed while Eastmond and Cipriani are injured. Gopperth will also miss the Saracens match forcing full-back Rob Miller to step in at fly-half.
That puts a huge responsibility on the first receiver and other teams haven’t been slow to notice. In the 31-17 defeat to Exeter, Gopperth had to make 25 tackles, at least 10 more than he has ever had to make in a game previously. “Your tens should not be making double-figure tackles,” Gopperth said. “When I need all my energy is in attack, but you are out on your feet when you are making 25 tackles.”
Other tactical adjustments have been made. Opposition teams are kicking far less to Wasps back field. As one rival coach told The Daily Telegraph this week: “Why on earth would you kick to a back three with Christian Wade and Marcus Watson in it?”
The change in the ruck laws have encouraged teams to contest fewer rucks leaving more players in the defensive lines and fewer holes for the likes of Wade and Elliot Daly to exploit. Bath took this to an extreme last Sunday, barely attacking a single ruck.
“You can’t attack against a defensive line of 15 players every single phase,” Gopperth said. “There were times when we had four in rucks and Bath had none. Teams are looking at that and we have to be smarter in how we deal with that.”
Earning the right to go wide in other words. But, again, injuries have ruled out several prominent ball-carriers with the single best source of penetration, No 8 Nathan Hughes, absent against Saracens through a dead leg.
Confidence has also become an issue. “It is just excitement,” Gopperth said. “When we are at our best, the boys behind the forwards or out wide they are jumping up and wanting the ball. I am sure it will come back and as soon as it does it will click.”
Wasps’ form should return when they get their cavalry back, but there is also a realisation that they need to evolve after five successive seasons in which they have improved their league placing from 11th to first.
“We don’t have to change everything because last year we scored more tries and more points than anyone else so we can’t be doing everything wrong,” Young said. “But I have said all along that what we did last season will not be good enough this season because teams will adapt and they will look at ways of stopping us playing. We have got to come up with something a little bit different.”
I think he perhaps might have mentioned the contrast in last season's September weather and this autumn. I know it's been the same for every team but we definitely prefer firm going.
Wasps, the great entertainers of English rugby, have lost their buzz. What was supposed to be the grand occasion of their 150th anniversary match against Bath last Sunday fell flatter than Theresa May reciting iTunes’ terms and conditions.
A tryless 25-9 reverse marked a third consecutive loss as well as back-to-back defeats at the Ricoh Arena where they previously unbeaten since December 2015. It does not get any easier with Saracens lying in wait on Sunday before a five-day turnaround for their trip to Ulster and the opening match of the Champions Cup.
Fortunes can shift rapidly. Exeter lost six of their first nine fixtures last season before rebounding to beat Wasps 23-20 in the Premiership final. Six of the last nine losing finalists subsequently went on to win the league the following season. Whether Wasps can become the next team in that sequence will depend largely on how quickly they can arrest this current tailspin.
So how have Wasps found themselves stuck in a jam? The most obvious place to start is with their injuries. From being overwhelmed with choice in certain positions last season, Dai Young, the director of rugby, is now down to the barest of bones. “I’m not having any sleepless nights about selection because we've got 24 guys to pick 23 from,” Young says, with typical deadpan humour.
As this newspaper has documented, Wasps are far from alone in having a treatment room that resembles a “morgue”. Some clubs are missing more players, but injuries have had a disproportionate effect on Wasps’ results for two reasons.
Firstly, they do not have the option of calling as many academy reinforcements as their rivals do. “Other clubs have got eight or nine senior academy players who can back that up, that’s something we’ve got to grow,” Young says.
When they relocated to Coventry in 2014, they gave up their fertile academy territory in Middlesex for the parts of the West Midlands that Worcester had not already claimed. It will take several years for that pipeline to be up and running.
Secondly, the injuries have forced Young to change his attacking structure. Last season, Wasps employed a twin playmaker system, commonly with Danny Cipriani at No 10 and Jimmy Gopperth at 12, to great effect. Kurtley Beale and Kyle Eastmond could also fill in as second receiver. Beale is now departed while Eastmond and Cipriani are injured. Gopperth will also miss the Saracens match forcing full-back Rob Miller to step in at fly-half.
That puts a huge responsibility on the first receiver and other teams haven’t been slow to notice. In the 31-17 defeat to Exeter, Gopperth had to make 25 tackles, at least 10 more than he has ever had to make in a game previously. “Your tens should not be making double-figure tackles,” Gopperth said. “When I need all my energy is in attack, but you are out on your feet when you are making 25 tackles.”
Other tactical adjustments have been made. Opposition teams are kicking far less to Wasps back field. As one rival coach told The Daily Telegraph this week: “Why on earth would you kick to a back three with Christian Wade and Marcus Watson in it?”
The change in the ruck laws have encouraged teams to contest fewer rucks leaving more players in the defensive lines and fewer holes for the likes of Wade and Elliot Daly to exploit. Bath took this to an extreme last Sunday, barely attacking a single ruck.
“You can’t attack against a defensive line of 15 players every single phase,” Gopperth said. “There were times when we had four in rucks and Bath had none. Teams are looking at that and we have to be smarter in how we deal with that.”
Earning the right to go wide in other words. But, again, injuries have ruled out several prominent ball-carriers with the single best source of penetration, No 8 Nathan Hughes, absent against Saracens through a dead leg.
Confidence has also become an issue. “It is just excitement,” Gopperth said. “When we are at our best, the boys behind the forwards or out wide they are jumping up and wanting the ball. I am sure it will come back and as soon as it does it will click.”
Wasps’ form should return when they get their cavalry back, but there is also a realisation that they need to evolve after five successive seasons in which they have improved their league placing from 11th to first.
“We don’t have to change everything because last year we scored more tries and more points than anyone else so we can’t be doing everything wrong,” Young said. “But I have said all along that what we did last season will not be good enough this season because teams will adapt and they will look at ways of stopping us playing. We have got to come up with something a little bit different.”
1253
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Very Silly and Avoidable Penalties.
« on: October 01, 2017, 06:54:26 PM »
Given away by both Chesty and Jake - particularly the latter. What on earth was he thinking? I can't remember when I've seen a more blatant 'in at the side'. These sort of errors when the entire team is struggling are really unforgivable.
1254
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wasps team to play Sale Sharks
« on: September 01, 2017, 12:04:24 PM »
Director of Rugby Dai Young has named his Wasps team to face Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday 2 September, kick off 3pm.
Wasps are set to open the 2017/18 campaign at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday as they take on Sale Sharks in their first game of the new season. Tickets for the game are available to purchase online at wasps.co.uk/tickets
New signing Gaby Lovobalavu is named to start at outside centre, while fellow new faces Juan De Jongh and Marcus Watson are included among the replacements, primed to make their Aviva Premiership debuts for Wasps.
Joe Launchbury returns to captain the side, in the second row, having been rested during Wasps’ two pre-season fixtures following England duty. Fellow England international Nathan Hughes is also included in the starting line-up, with Matt Mullan named on the bench.
Ahead of Wasps’ first game of the 2017/18 season, Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We’re all looking forward to getting back out there on Saturday. After a tough pre-season, the boys can’t wait to be back out on the field at the Ricoh Arena in front of our home support.
“We’ve had two good wins in our pre-season games against Ulster and Connacht, but as we prepare to kick off our Aviva Premiership campaign we know that pre-season victories count for very little in a competition where anyone can beat anyone on their day.
“Ultimately, last season was a good one for us but we came up just short in the Final and of course there’s still a bit of hurt there. Everyone knows the attacking game we like to play and our approach this season will be similar in terms of what I think we need to do to be up there again, but as a team we’re looking for more accuracy and improvements across the board.
“Sale first up is a tough challenge and they have recruited really well. You’re always going to get a dogged performance from Sale, they’re really physical, they play for each other, have a good set piece and they’ve added some big ball carriers as well as some quality players in the backline. Sale have always caused us problems and I’m sure that Saturday will be no different.
“We can’t wait to be back at the Ricoh where we love playing and we know we need to start strongly there. Hopefully our Wasps fans will give the squad a big roar as they run out to remind them how much everyone is behind them again.”
The game represents the first time Wasps' new Under Armour anniversary kit will be seen in a competitive game.
It is set to be a great family day out with plenty of entertainment taking place in the Wasps Nest Fan Village in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall.
Activities include a mariachi band, Wasps Netball crazy catch and shoot, Coventry Blaze mascot and shoot for goal challenge, Coventry Water Polo speed tracker and Batak Challenge where you can try to beat Wasps players' scores. All to be hosted by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio presenter Brody Swain.
Wasps fans are also encouraged to visit Wasps Store on match day to view a selection of the club's 150th Heritage Range as well as Under Armour’s 150th anniversary shirt.
For all of your matchday info click here to see Navigate the Nest
Tickets are available from wasps.co.uk/tickets
Wasps team to face Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena - Saturday 2 September, 3pm KO
15. Willie Le Roux
14. Christian Wade
13. Gaby Lovobalavu
12. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Josh Bassett
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Dan Robson
1. Simon McIntyre
2. Tom Cruse
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Kearnan Myall
6. Ashley Johnson
7. Alex Rieder
8. Nathan Hughes
16. Will Rowlands
17. Matt Mullan
18. Marty Moore
19. Matt Symons
20. Jack Willis
21. Joe Simpson
22. Juan De Jongh
23. Marcus Watson
Unavailable for selection through injury
Kyle Eastmond, Marcus Garratt, James Gaskell, James Haskell, Sam Jones, Alex Lundberg, Tommy Taylor, Guy Thompson, Thomas Young.
No mention of Rob Miller. That's tough
Wasps are set to open the 2017/18 campaign at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday as they take on Sale Sharks in their first game of the new season. Tickets for the game are available to purchase online at wasps.co.uk/tickets
New signing Gaby Lovobalavu is named to start at outside centre, while fellow new faces Juan De Jongh and Marcus Watson are included among the replacements, primed to make their Aviva Premiership debuts for Wasps.
Joe Launchbury returns to captain the side, in the second row, having been rested during Wasps’ two pre-season fixtures following England duty. Fellow England international Nathan Hughes is also included in the starting line-up, with Matt Mullan named on the bench.
Ahead of Wasps’ first game of the 2017/18 season, Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We’re all looking forward to getting back out there on Saturday. After a tough pre-season, the boys can’t wait to be back out on the field at the Ricoh Arena in front of our home support.
“We’ve had two good wins in our pre-season games against Ulster and Connacht, but as we prepare to kick off our Aviva Premiership campaign we know that pre-season victories count for very little in a competition where anyone can beat anyone on their day.
“Ultimately, last season was a good one for us but we came up just short in the Final and of course there’s still a bit of hurt there. Everyone knows the attacking game we like to play and our approach this season will be similar in terms of what I think we need to do to be up there again, but as a team we’re looking for more accuracy and improvements across the board.
“Sale first up is a tough challenge and they have recruited really well. You’re always going to get a dogged performance from Sale, they’re really physical, they play for each other, have a good set piece and they’ve added some big ball carriers as well as some quality players in the backline. Sale have always caused us problems and I’m sure that Saturday will be no different.
“We can’t wait to be back at the Ricoh where we love playing and we know we need to start strongly there. Hopefully our Wasps fans will give the squad a big roar as they run out to remind them how much everyone is behind them again.”
The game represents the first time Wasps' new Under Armour anniversary kit will be seen in a competitive game.
It is set to be a great family day out with plenty of entertainment taking place in the Wasps Nest Fan Village in the Ericsson Exhibition Hall.
Activities include a mariachi band, Wasps Netball crazy catch and shoot, Coventry Blaze mascot and shoot for goal challenge, Coventry Water Polo speed tracker and Batak Challenge where you can try to beat Wasps players' scores. All to be hosted by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire Radio presenter Brody Swain.
Wasps fans are also encouraged to visit Wasps Store on match day to view a selection of the club's 150th Heritage Range as well as Under Armour’s 150th anniversary shirt.
For all of your matchday info click here to see Navigate the Nest
Tickets are available from wasps.co.uk/tickets
Wasps team to face Sale Sharks at the Ricoh Arena - Saturday 2 September, 3pm KO
15. Willie Le Roux
14. Christian Wade
13. Gaby Lovobalavu
12. Jimmy Gopperth
11. Josh Bassett
10. Danny Cipriani
9. Dan Robson
1. Simon McIntyre
2. Tom Cruse
3. Jake Cooper-Woolley
4. Joe Launchbury (c)
5. Kearnan Myall
6. Ashley Johnson
7. Alex Rieder
8. Nathan Hughes
16. Will Rowlands
17. Matt Mullan
18. Marty Moore
19. Matt Symons
20. Jack Willis
21. Joe Simpson
22. Juan De Jongh
23. Marcus Watson
Unavailable for selection through injury
Kyle Eastmond, Marcus Garratt, James Gaskell, James Haskell, Sam Jones, Alex Lundberg, Tommy Taylor, Guy Thompson, Thomas Young.
No mention of Rob Miller. That's tough
1255
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Is Rugbynetwork down?
« on: June 23, 2017, 04:31:48 PM »
I've been totally unable to connect to Drunken Wasps on Rugby Network. Not just reported as site needs an update but no connection at all. Is it just me or is it everybody?
