Always a Wasp

General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Neils on July 10, 2020, 04:08:45 PM

Title: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 10, 2020, 04:08:45 PM
https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/premiership-rugby-announce-round-14-to-17-fixtures/
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 10, 2020, 04:11:01 PM
Blimey..expect very little training between games...lucky they have had the rest oftheir lives.
I can't wait.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: baldpaul101 on July 10, 2020, 04:23:55 PM
excellent opportunity for the whole squad to get game time I would have thought, theres no way the same 23 players will be playing games with 5, 4 & 6 day turn arounds
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 10, 2020, 08:01:12 PM
excellent opportunity for the whole squad to get game time I would have thought, theres no way the same 23 players will be playing games with 5, 4 & 6 day turn arounds

If we have a fully fit squad going into this, then we can rotate players and and put out a decent team evey time.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Raggs on July 10, 2020, 10:23:02 PM
Some teams are going to struggle with their current squads. Think we're in a fairly strong position, unfortunately we're facing strong opposition.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 11, 2020, 08:00:32 AM
Some teams are going to struggle with their current squads. Think we're in a fairly strong position, unfortunately we're facing strong opposition.

We are in a good place IMHO. Fit and motivated squad. At least two good players for each position. We should be able to rotate our squad without too many problems.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: WonkyWasp on July 11, 2020, 08:16:19 AM
So much is  going to depend on the DoR's choice and rotation of players.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Chunky24 on July 11, 2020, 08:45:18 AM
Could also be regulations on how much players are used  about halfway down this link.

https://lastwordonrugby.com/2020/07/10/2020-21-gallagher-premiership-set-to-start-november-21/
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 11, 2020, 09:32:27 AM
I note that Lima is unhappy over the schedule - in a tweety thing.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Steve from Cov on July 11, 2020, 10:28:41 AM
Not ideal but I think Wasps are well placed to select competitive teams for all the matches.

Really hoping Velacott, Gaskell and Sirker are ready to go.

Sale and Gloucester supporters are talking about selecting weakened teams for some matches.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Raggs on July 11, 2020, 11:41:06 AM
Not ideal but I think Wasps are well placed to select competitive teams for all the matches.

Really hoping Velacott, Gaskell and Sirker are ready to go.

Sale and Gloucester supporters are talking about selecting weakened teams for some matches.

Vellacott, nearly forgotten about him! Excited to potentially see more of Sirkers raw pace.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 11, 2020, 11:50:29 AM
I will be interested to see Sirkers tackling and defence. We know he was fast, as seen in the 7s, but have little evidence of his all round 15s game. Could be exciting.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 11, 2020, 02:11:30 PM
Could also be regulations on how much players are used  about halfway down this link.

https://lastwordonrugby.com/2020/07/10/2020-21-gallagher-premiership-set-to-start-november-21/

That is unrealistic IMHO.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Shugs on July 11, 2020, 07:25:48 PM
Yes, this is just utter madness. We all want rugby back but this borders on dangerous and reckless. It's basically going to be select two separate teams and rotate them. You just can't play two games a week for a period of time.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: MarleyWasp on July 11, 2020, 09:04:41 PM
With the Lions tour due to start on 3rd July, the weekend of 21/22 November is the latest point at which next season can start in order to finish on time without midweek games, and that's after the Premiership Rugby Cup is axed.

Re. Lima, I've been a bit hacked off with his comments this week. Yes losing 25% of your salary isn't great, but he is still on an obscene amount of money compared to most people, and quite how much value for money we got from him before is debatable. Yes playing 7 matches in a month will be tough, but is it any tougher than what nurses have faced for a longer period of time for less than 1/12th of what he's still earning?
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Damian68 on July 11, 2020, 09:19:12 PM
Re. Lima, I've been a bit hacked off with his comments this week. Yes losing 25% of your salary isn't great, but he is still on an obscene amount of money compared to most people, and quite how much value for money we got from him before is debatable. Yes playing 7 matches in a month will be tough, but is it any tougher than what nurses have faced for a longer period of time for less than 1/12th of what he's still earning?

+1
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 11, 2020, 11:47:03 PM
Yes, this is just utter madness. We all want rugby back but this borders on dangerous and reckless. It's basically going to be select two separate teams and rotate them. You just can't play two games a week for a period of time.
So lets do that then, all teams in same situation and if you look for a positive, some fringe or academy will get game time. Nothing dangerous or reckless here, just need foresight and planning and maybe use of the bench better.
We have 4 wingers, 4 centres, etc.....lets play them all for a change.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 12, 2020, 08:40:57 AM

So lets do that then, all teams in same situation and if you look for a positive, some fringe or academy will get game time. Nothing dangerous or reckless here, just need foresight and planning and maybe use of the bench better.
We have 4 wingers, 4 centres, etc.....lets play them all for a change.

It is doable.

As Hymenoptera says, we have enough good players. Careful rotation will ensure that nobody plays more than 80 minutes per week. It will be the same for every club. Preseason conditioning will be very important. We have a new broom this year so it will be very interesting to see how our lads manage.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: wasps on July 12, 2020, 09:04:19 AM

Next logical question then.

Do you go with a 1st team and a 2nd team, and try to target the toughest games with the first team...

Or do you mix the teams up so that you have 2 teams of relatively comparable strength on paper?



With the former, there's a tendancy to overplay the first team when every game is important
With the latter approach, you may not have either team strong enough to guarantee any wins


It's tough to be the boss
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: HDAWG on July 12, 2020, 08:37:27 PM
wasps,

Good point.

I have absolutely no idea what the solution would be. Reckon we have enough depth to rotate for some positions (12, props, wingers, fullback), but some players are far better than replacements (Umaga, Fekitoa, Willis etc.).
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Raggs on July 12, 2020, 08:44:16 PM
Sops is more than capable at 10 though as is de jongh at 13.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: BG on July 13, 2020, 08:01:14 AM
Whatever the solution/answer is for squad selection, I hope the coaches (conditioning staff) have a re-think when it comes to physical training and practise between games.


Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 13, 2020, 08:06:06 AM
Whatever the solution/answer is for squad selection, I hope the coaches (conditioning staff) have a re-think when it comes to physical training and practise between games.

I would think that most physical training between these matches will be rare. More likely is skills training, physio and rest will be the norm.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 13, 2020, 09:29:20 AM
Witha decent squad as we have, managing players optimally should not be an issue.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 13, 2020, 10:08:51 AM
Ugo Monye in a blog yesterday made a point about the number of players coming back and now getting achilles injuries similar to the 20 week NFL layoff in 2011.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: RogerE on July 13, 2020, 12:01:05 PM
2911?
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 13, 2020, 12:10:50 PM
oops! Corrected.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Heathen on July 13, 2020, 12:38:36 PM
I wonder if plastic pitches were a contributory factor?
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: backdoc on July 13, 2020, 02:38:22 PM
Assuming all fit:
Team A:
9. Robson
10 Umaga
11 Watson
12 Gopperth
13 Fekitoa
14 Bassett
15 Miller

Team B:
9  Vellicott
10 Sopoaga
11 Kibirige
12 Mills
13 De Jong
14 Odogwu
15 Minozzi

Leaving Porter, Wolstenholme, Spink, Simonds, Sirker, Le Bourgeois for the bench/cover etc.


Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Neils on July 13, 2020, 02:40:43 PM
Assuming all fit:
Team A:
9. Robson
10 Umaga
11 Watson
12 Gopperth
13 Fekitoa
14 Bassett
15 Miller

Team B:
9  Vellicott
10 Sopoaga
11 Kibirige
12 Mills
13 De Jong
14 Odogwu
15 Minozzi

Leaving Porter, Wolstenholme, Spink, Simonds, Sirker, Le Bourgeois for the bench/cover etc.

I suspect we might see Lima continuing at 15.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Rossm on July 13, 2020, 02:44:33 PM
Assuming all fit:
Team A:
9. Robson
10 Umaga
11 Watson
12 Gopperth
13 Fekitoa
14 Bassett
15 Miller

Team B:
9  Vellicott
10 Sopoaga
11 Kibirige
12 Mills
13 De Jong
14 Odogwu
15 Minozzi

Leaving Porter, Wolstenholme, Spink, Simonds, Sirker, Le Bourgeois for the bench/cover etc.

I suspect we might see Lima continuing at 15.

I think so too.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 13, 2020, 02:59:03 PM
Not if he's to rotate with Umaga and Gop played 12 that week?
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: DGP Wasp on July 13, 2020, 03:05:07 PM
We're going to need some forwards too! :)
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: backdoc on July 13, 2020, 03:23:43 PM
Would you start Lima at 15 and have Miller at 10?

If we start Gopps at 10 it changes all the 10/12 options.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Rossm on July 13, 2020, 04:14:17 PM
Would you start Lima at 15 and have Miller at 10?

If we start Gopps at 10 it changes all the 10/12 options.

I think there will be horses for courses selections. That can go terribly wrong. Of course all our opponents will at least have the same difficulties. I have a gut feeling that we are in better shape than most.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: backdoc on July 13, 2020, 05:36:32 PM
I agree, Ross, which is why I listed the backs. We have seen most of the forwards through last season where 3rd and 4th choice
front and second row players were very impressive.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Shugs on July 13, 2020, 08:29:09 PM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Vespula Vulgaris on July 14, 2020, 09:41:33 AM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.

It's definitely a concern, but I can't see Lee, or anyone else at Wasps for that matter, deliberately breaking players.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Raggs on July 14, 2020, 10:28:33 AM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.

It's definitely a concern, but I can't see Lee, or anyone else at Wasps for that matter, deliberately breaking players.

We're also have more depth than quite a few others seem to, so if injuries are spread even reasonably evenly, we'll be OK.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 14, 2020, 12:26:07 PM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.
And if no one gets injured, your worrying about nothing
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: DGP Wasp on July 14, 2020, 01:08:42 PM
In the course of a normal season any club would typically be permanently at least 4 or 5 players down through injury at any given time.  Probably more.  It's just the nature of the game.  The long lay off has allowed everyone to get back to full fitness, so all teams will probably restart with a much greater percentage of their squad fit and available (even suspensions were allowed to run their course while no games were being played) than they would normally expect with 9 games to go.  However, although all will be starting from a healthier point, the effect of returning to full competitive rugby after such a long break remains to be seen.  That together with the condensed schedule could result in more injuries.  From there it could very quickly snowball as a couple of injuries will lead to others being called upon more, and those injured potentially being called upon to return sooner which in turn may lead to more injuries.  I trust the Wasps coaching team to manage players responsibly, and use the opportunity to give game time to some of our promising youngsters.  But best laid plans could quickly unravel if faced with more than 3 or 4 injuries.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 14, 2020, 01:35:54 PM
Lots of coulda scenarios, its only a couple of condensed weeks ATM, with players fresher than have been in their entire career. I'll be concerned when i need to be.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: DGP Wasp on July 14, 2020, 01:54:35 PM
Lots of coulda scenarios, its only a couple of condensed weeks ATM, with players fresher than have been in their entire career. I'll be concerned when i need to be.

Fair enough.  All ifs and buts at the moment.  The point I was making was that if injuries do start to take their toll, and they inevitably will at some clubs through a combination of bad luck and poor player management, then a challenging situation could very quickly become very, very difficult to manage while remaining competitive.

But as you rightly say, no point worrying now about stuff that might or might happen in 6 weeks' time.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Shugs on July 14, 2020, 02:32:38 PM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.
And if no one gets injured, your worrying about nothing
That is true. Thank goodness it's not a full contact game where injuries are common.
Title: Re: Matches - this is testing
Post by: Hymenoptera on July 14, 2020, 02:41:07 PM
Looks great on paper until five or six get injured. What then. Who do we play then? We all know - players will be asked to play twice a week. Injured players will be asked to play. It's a nonsense.
And if no one gets injured, your worrying about nothing
That is true. Thank goodness it's not a full contact game where injuries are common.

Its not a pub team, we have a squad of 44 players for a 15 man game for a reason.