Always a Wasp
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4381
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Christian: Interview in The Telegraph.
« on: July 08, 2019, 06:02:26 PM »
Loved watching Wade play and genuinely hope it works out for him over there. But I'm still disgruntled that he left us somewhat high and dry by starting the season probably in the knowledge he wasn't going to finish it. Daly saw the season out but felt the wrath of a few fans tongues for leaving. I'm not advocating that either of them should have come in for any stick given the service they gave us but interesting to note the varying treatment.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Latest Wasps rumours and news from Bobby Bridge.
« on: July 08, 2019, 05:55:13 PM »
What baffles me is if Jones still thinks Robson could make it (and I hope he can) why not have him and Heinz at the training camp? What harm could it do. Even if Robson is not allowed contact having him in and around the squad would still help in terms of drills etc.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Dobby's England World Cup snub the latest blow in 18-month roller coaster.
« on: July 06, 2019, 04:50:35 PM »
Yes, agreed. He's been so unlucky. First injury was making a tackle that wasn't really attempted by a team mate who will be going to the World Cup which makes it more galling. I think he's the best scrum half in the GP.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Running Order Today
« on: July 05, 2019, 09:50:08 PM »
I'm no great fan of Jones but I want England to do well and am interested in them whoever is in charge. I don't really blame him for us losing Wade. I think 90 per cent of an international coaches job is getting selection right. They're not going to improve players or teach them anything with the time limits on how long they have them. For me Jones has got selection largely right with a few notable exceptions for me such as Goode, Robson and Smith.
4385
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Running Order Today
« on: July 04, 2019, 09:30:51 PM »
Is it possible Hughes is still away from the country? Although to be frank if you take out the last four games of last season he's not been great for the last couple of seasons. Feel desperately sorry for Robson although it could be he will still be included if he's currently unfit. Can't believe Goode and Brown have been omitted. Daly's never a full back for me. Really hoping he comes off for England's sake but I fear the worst.
4386
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Training Squad
« on: July 03, 2019, 10:12:19 PM »
If it worked like that I'd totally agree with you. My perception is that in the majority of cases they simply choose to play for the best team they qualify for rather than the one they feel closest to. Even worse, as I feel was the case with Hughes, they opt for the biggest payer. Not saying I'd necessarily be any different but if the rules were tightened a little I think it would level the playing field in international rugby.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Ringfencing
« on: July 03, 2019, 07:46:08 PM »I think the opposite Shugs.Yes, fair points baldpaul, I can see how it could work in a different way. Hopefully the play off scenario won't deter would be investors in championship clubs from ploughing money in due to them considering a too difficult path to progression. I think you need some turnover of clubs in the GP (even if it's minimal and not regular) to keep things a bit fresh.
This keeps the prem teams happy because the likleyhood of relegation is low.
The championship sides will be happy because the
vast majority will never be able to make the step up but the door isn't entirely closed to those with the resources (money mostly) who are able to mix it with the big boys. A champ side with
enough money could beat a poor Prem side even in a two legged game.
The RFU will be happy because it isn't strictly ring fencing
The players might even be happy, if we have an odd number of team in the prem then I assume they get two weeks of the season where there are no games?
The fans should be happy because no prem team will want to have the ball ache of playing in the play off at the end of the season so the league should still remain competitive.
4388
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Training Squad
« on: July 03, 2019, 07:38:54 PM »
Yes, quite agree Raggs, there are some valid cases but the current rules almost contradict each other. Player A is born in NZ, lives there for a week and then moves to England and is resident for enough time to qualify for them as well. He has Irish and Scottish parents. Technically he qualifies for all 4. Can that be right?
4389
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Ringfencing
« on: July 02, 2019, 08:02:20 PM »
For me what this proposal would represent is a botch which seeks to placate everyone and ends up pleasing no-one. For those in the Prem the threat of relegation still exists (although a two legged play off goes as far to stack the odds in there favour as is possible) so all the perceived benefits of ringfencing such as academy player development, spending beyond means etc would be compromised. For those in the Championship the prospect of beating a Prem club in a two legged play off would be extremely difficult. It's almost as if they want relegation out of the picture but are doing it via a contrived method. Simplicity is often the best way - either keep relegation as it is or just get rid of it - this falls between two stools for me.
4390
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Training Squad
« on: July 02, 2019, 07:52:22 PM »Yes, exactly that scenario. Hughes is a good example of it. I can't see how four or five years at a club in a country qualifies you for that country.For me the lineage to
grandparents rule has more credence to it than the qualified by dint of time spent in residence. That rule seems particularly odd to me and has its basis in a less credible fact than the grandparent scenario.
So you're saying someone who's lived in a country since they were 6 months old has a less credible claim to wear that nations jersey than someone who's never lived somewhere, but happens to have a grandparent who was born there (and left when they were 6 months old)?
You can flip the scenario for grandparents too, accidents of birth on borders for England Wales and Scotland and the nearest hospital etc.
I suspect Raggs, that Shugs meant more like the scenario whereby a player qualifies via minimal residency (i.e. 3-5 years or whatever it is). Hughes is a pretty good example of that, brought up in Fiji and then New Zealand before coming over to play professional rugby then qualifies for England via residency. Slightly different to the Vunipola’s and Faletau who all grew up in the UK.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England Training Squad
« on: July 01, 2019, 06:20:25 PM »
For me the lineage to grandparents rule has more credence to it than the qualified by dint of time spent in residence. That rule seems particularly odd to me and has its basis in a less credible fact than the grandparent scenario.
4392
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Slightly OT - League Player Slaps Dislocated Knee Back In
« on: June 30, 2019, 03:35:21 PM »
I seem to remember something similar happening to Tony Finau the golfer when he dislocated his ankle and just shoved it back in place and played on.
4393
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: JTA
« on: June 30, 2019, 08:52:14 AM »
JTA has been very good in the latter part of the season. Very excited to see him in Wasps colours. Not entirely sure when he arrives but he'll need to hit the ground running. Brookes has been a really good signing but Alo and Owlett are something of unknown quantities in the GP. I'm sure I've read somewhere Zhvania can play TH so maybe an option.
4394
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Prem Game in USA
« on: June 25, 2019, 08:43:28 PM »
I really dislike this sort of gimmick. Games like this end up being atmosphereless and devalued. I also hope it's not a Wasps game. These games do nothing to "spread the word" and usually end up as failed experiments.
4395
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Leicester Tigers for sale
« on: June 25, 2019, 06:03:08 PM »
Can't believe that they don't already have a buyer in the background. In terms of the overall picture I do sense an interest in rugby that is growing. Whether that equates to 30 per cent is questionable and what we're already seeing with a lot of clubs will become more prevalent I.e they will be benefactor dependent. Wasps, importantly, have something that none of the others have - The Ricoh. This will become the differentiator in time.