Always a Wasp
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4351
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Captain in Joe's absence
« on: August 08, 2019, 08:36:41 PM »
I'd go with Shields whether Joe is there or not. JL is one of those who captains because he's an outstanding player rather than an outstanding leader. Shields strikes me as someone who is a natural leader.
4352
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Premiership squads and homegrown percentages for 2019/20
« on: August 08, 2019, 08:30:34 PM »
The area debate is a contentious one but overall in terms of the result I'm pleased to see the amount of academy promotions this year. Also, there are movements outside of academies that still involve youngsters e.g. Owlett and Stuart this year. It may not be as beneficial cap wise but there's plenty of examples of academy prospects switching early on.
4353
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Mike Brown and Ben Te'o dropped from squad to face Wales
« on: August 07, 2019, 05:59:07 PM »
Two initial thoughts on how this squad is shaping up. Firstly I didn't want to believe it but Browns exclusion seems to confirm that Jones will be going in with Daly at FB. Daly is a world class winger and a quality centre but he is not good enough defensively for FB and that will cost us points. Secondly I think if Shields doesn't make it the balance of the back row is at risk. Not much has been made of it but I think it is a big blow.
4354
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Wasps' forward pack - who makes YOUR starting XV?
« on: August 07, 2019, 05:53:04 PM »Bobby wrote an analysis, in which you could vote, of the backs 5 days ago which I posted here. Shugs started a thread covering the forwards 2 days later. Bobby has now written about the forwards and you can also vote. I didn't mean to obscure Shugs' thread but posted this thread as a companion to Bobby's for the backs. I hope this makes senseMakes sense Ross. No worries.
4355
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Mitre 10 Season starting this week
« on: August 06, 2019, 05:58:01 PM »I got addicted to the games last season, made clear the depth of NZ talent and the "AB way" is deeply embedded - it also for the first time made clear to me how the laws were reffed when applied to the letter - esp around the breakdownSounds like a win win situation.
I'll not get my chores done if I watch too many.....
4356
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Mitre 10 Season starting this week
« on: August 05, 2019, 08:00:43 PM »
Agreed, really good to watch. There's always some excellent talent on show as well.
4357
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The Times today
« on: August 05, 2019, 07:59:02 PM »
Yes, nice to see a balanced and accurate summary.
4358
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The Wasps signing that has been likened to Jason Robinson
« on: August 04, 2019, 10:07:19 AM »
A really exciting signing for us. Most will be anxious around his continued fitness initially but if he gets a run and settles his style of play could make him not only a very useful addition but something of a cult hero.
4359
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Starting forwards
« on: August 04, 2019, 10:05:03 AM »
I was assuming it just to be a pick as to who folks consider to be our strongest team from the squad assembled irrespective of internationals, injuries or anything else. Interesting that "hotspots" of differing opinion seem to be emerging as 6, 12, 2 and 15.
4360
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Starting forwards
« on: August 03, 2019, 11:16:16 AM »
We've had a go at selecting our starting back division but what about the forwards. Accepting that front row in particular it's a matchday squad scenario my starting eight would be;
Zhvania
Taylor
Brookes
Launchbury
Gaskell
Shields
Carr
Young
6 is a real toss up between Willis and Shields and I'm excited to see more of T Willis at 8.
Zhvania
Taylor
Brookes
Launchbury
Gaskell
Shields
Carr
Young
6 is a real toss up between Willis and Shields and I'm excited to see more of T Willis at 8.
4361
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: RWC chances
« on: August 02, 2019, 05:19:04 PM »
I rate our chances a bit higher than that but I do think we're a bit behind NZ and SA in particular. I have a feeling SA will win it. Our chances depend on whether we can shut things down and let Farrell kick us into scoreboard superiority. Discipline will be key and we must improve our penalty count.
4362
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Wasps' new-look backs division - who makes YOUR starting XV?
« on: August 02, 2019, 05:13:51 PM »
I'd be going with
Robson
Sopoaga
Bassett
Gopperth
Fekitoa
Watson
Miller
The big call for me is whether De Jongh plays and I agree that we have repeated the sins of last year by being well stocked at 13 but a bit light at 12.
Robson
Sopoaga
Bassett
Gopperth
Fekitoa
Watson
Miller
The big call for me is whether De Jongh plays and I agree that we have repeated the sins of last year by being well stocked at 13 but a bit light at 12.
4363
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: The latest round-up of Wasps-related news from Bobby Bridge
« on: July 31, 2019, 05:51:18 PM »
For me this puts Shields in real doubt for the RWC. A real shame for him. From Wasps point of view it could mean we have him rested and ready for the start of the season.
4364
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Jeff is in the UK
« on: July 31, 2019, 05:49:01 PM »
Front row is looking very decent this year. I expect Zhvania to have a big year and I've seen JTA a good few times and like the look of him. Hoping McIntyre and Taylor can stay fit and I think Owlett might be something of a surprise package.
4365
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Wasps' fleet of wingers primed to fill Christian Wade's void
« on: July 27, 2019, 11:13:07 AM »I thought Bassett was ineffectual for most of the season - clearly his situation had changed, with no Wade to attract defences and no Cips to provide killer distribution.I think you have to take into account he got very little service that wingers thrive on and was ridiculously overplayed. He played in 85 per cent of our games. With the options we've got next year we should be able to rotate him out a lot more.