Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Bloke in North Dorset on August 07, 2022, 08:38:06 PM
-
I’m not sure, it would depend on whether his mind was in it, but he’s still got some gas and skill.
https://twitter.com/saffasrugby/status/1556227712578367490?s=21&t=ai_wNhVodS-_pgUjHRLDQQ
-
Yes, in a heartbeat.
-
Unsure. Not at the price he was at. And not if he would be AWOL a lot (injury and SAFFA games). I am not sure what he would bring now.
On second thoughts, no. The era of Galacticos is gone.
-
WLR = Brain Farts Are Us. When he played well yes but much of the time you just knew he couldn't be bothered.
-
Completely agree!
-
To elaborate on my answer, as I appear to be swimming against the tide:
- Umaga is no more a professional-standard 15 than I am;
- the chance to buy Mike Brown would appear to have been and gone;
- Minozzi seems to be out of favour with Blackett and company;
- Rob Miller is no longer around; and
- expecting Ali Crossdale to play every minute of every game is a tad unreasonable.
-
Yes, in a heartbeat.
Plus 1
Brain farts- yes but pluses outweigh minuses, even when he lacks form. When he is in form he is sublime. He is also good enough to play for the world champs. How many wasps can say they would nail down a xxiii spot for them? Not a huge number.
To be fair, we are total crap in our backs last year and it is hard to see how he could play worse than anyone we had at 15.
He is also world class and a top bloke and not a disruptive influence by all accounts.
So, the only negative is value for money. Not sure he could provide it and money may be better spent elsewhere. Availability means a lot, as does continuity.
But in a vacuum, yes, in a heartbeat.
-
To elaborate on my answer, as I appear to be swimming against the tide:
- Umaga is no more a professional-standard 15 than I am;
- the chance to buy Mike Brown would appear to have been and gone;
- Minozzi seems to be out of favour with Blackett and company;
- Rob Miller is no longer around; and
- expecting Ali Crossdale to play every minute of every game is a tad unreasonable.
Mmmm-
That is hard on Jacob or you are some kind of genius.
Mike Brown still hasn't a club. Maybe that is an indication.
Matteo was very badly injured last season and could still do the job we got him for. He looks very fit.
Your final two points I agree with.
-
Also would add that Minozzi is class and could be the bees knees...
Which does not change my feelings on WLR.
-
No. Definitely not. His final season is still engrained in my mind. I can take a lack of form or ability but not a distinct reluctance to make tackles or engage in any sort of contact. I’d rather persevere with someone with less natural ability but more desire.
-
That is WLR all over- never been a big tackler, and never was in our galactico days. No coincidence that his best for us was often on the wing.
-
Mmmm-
That is hard on Jacob or you are some kind of genius.
Mike Brown still hasn't a club. Maybe that is an indication.
Matteo was very badly injured last season and could still do the job we got him for. He looks very fit.
Your final two points I agree with.
I'm certainly no genius, as much as I would love to say otherwise! However, as stated before, I don't rate Umaga at all in the 15 shirt (and only marginally more at 10, but that's a whole other can of fish, and not relevant to the topic at hand).
I think the salary cap reduction is as likely an explanation for Brown's free agent status as any other, but I could well be wrong on that front.
I agree with you re Minozzi's injury (injuries?), but he seemed to be available towards the end of last season and just wasn't getting picked for some reason, unless my senescent memory is failing me! Hopefully he'll be back in the mix for 2022-23.
Regarding WLR's reticence to tackle, the same has been said of both Cipriani and Umaga; the former is old news now, of course, but I can't see how the latter's ongoing selection can be advocated for if willingness to make tackles is a deal-breaker.
-
That is WLR all over- never been a big tackler, and never was in our galactico days. No coincidence that his best for us was often on the wing.
Eh?
-
I’m not sure, it would depend on whether his mind was in it, but he’s still got some gas and skill.
https://twitter.com/saffasrugby/status/1556227712578367490?s=21&t=ai_wNhVodS-_pgUjHRLDQQ
Sorry, what am I missing here? You’ve posted a link of him scoring from a lucky hack through and we’re supposed to think signing him is a possibility?
It’s a straight no from me. There were stats posted during his last season for us showing his tackle percentage for Wasps vs his concurrent tackle percentage for SA. The difference told you everything you needed to know.
-
Mmmm-
That is hard on Jacob or you are some kind of genius.
Mike Brown still hasn't a club. Maybe that is an indication.
Matteo was very badly injured last season and could still do the job we got him for. He looks very fit.
Your final two points I agree with.
I'm certainly no genius, as much as I would love to say otherwise! However, as stated before, I don't rate Umaga at all in the 15 shirt (and only marginally more at 10, but that's a whole other can of fish, and not relevant to the topic at hand).
I think the salary cap reduction is as likely an explanation for Brown's free agent status as any other, but I could well be wrong on that front.
I agree with you re Minozzi's injury (injuries?), but he seemed to be available towards the end of last season and just wasn't getting picked for some reason, unless my senescent memory is failing me! Hopefully he'll be back in the mix for 2022-23.
Regarding WLR's reticence to tackle, the same has been said of both Cipriani and Umaga; the former is old news now, of course, but I can't see how the latter's ongoing selection can be advocated for if willingness to make tackles is a deal-breaker.
Sorry but have to disagree about Jacob tackling. The worry with both him and Charlie A they seem fearless in tackling. With Jacob it sometimes doesn't come off and he gets a red ( when others since have got off with far worse). Totally agree about fiver.
-
Sorry but have to disagree about Jacob tackling. The worry with both him and Charlie A they seem fearless in tackling. With Jacob it sometimes doesn't come off and he gets a red ( when others since have got off with far worse). Totally agree about fiver.
I'm with you 100% on Atkinson, but Umaga all too often waves his arms about ineffectually before collapsing to the ground in an ungainly heap, insofar as I'm concerned.
Then again, I'm wary of derailing the thread, so let's agree to disagree ;)
-
Yep agree to disagree
-
I'd have him back in a heartbeat.
At his best he is world class, at his worst he'd fit right in with our current squad.
-
That is WLR all over- never been a big tackler, and never was in our galactico days. No coincidence that his best for us was often on the wing.
Eh?
His last season for us was was no worse than the previous ones tackling wise, as was suggested.
He is a better wing than fullback because he gets less exposed defensively.
-
I'd have him back if the price was right, but not if he brings his evil twin Wally with him.
-
Is WLR just one of those players comfortable to try the 50% more often? He seemed to spend a lot of time upset when the team played safe, but WLR often had players like Wade to hand who seemed to be able scoop the ball at pace whatever height it arrived at. Not sure the team have that sort of ability, although Lee did suggest they were going to focus more on catch and pass in training for this season.
-
The question is, will wasps be playing in a way that WLR would be usefully engaged as he was in his previous spell?
If the game plan is pants, no point in having world class players. IMO.
-
He is a world class full back, but we are not in a financial position to afford him. Also I think the focus now has to be on our squad as it is. Last season our basics of run, kick, pass were at a level you would not accept in Surrey 4, let alone premiership standard. The game plan limited, and sometimes impossible to discern. The coaches have to step up this year, as there is a squad in place that can push top 6, possibly even 4.
-
He is a world class full back, but we are not in a financial position to afford him. Also I think the focus now has to be on our squad as it is. Last season our basics of run, kick, pass were at a level you would not accept in Surrey 4, let alone premiership standard. The game plan limited, and sometimes impossible to discern. The coaches have to step up this year, as there is a squad in place that can push top 6, possibly even 4.
Quite right, Wombles. I've always suspected that some overseas stars who come in on a high wage and only stay a season or two, can be subtly disruptive of the squad which after all is a collective and will be together after the star(s) have taken the money and moved on.
-
George Smith was with for just one year but what a difference he made. Valent6ne's Day Massacre. Coaching Guy, Young Young. Jack W etc.. What a incredible player.
-
George Smith was with for just one year but what a difference he made. Valent6ne's Day Massacre. Coaching Guy, Young Young. Jack W etc.. What a incredible player.
+1 by far the best incomer.
-
George Smith was with for just one year but what a difference he made. Valent6ne's Day Massacre. Coaching Guy, Young Young. Jack W etc.. What a incredible player.
+1 by far the best incomer.
I think Beale was a close second. His ridiculous ball skills rubbed of on many of our squad. Shame it didn't seem to have as long a lasting effect as Smith's turnover skills...
-
It is kind of fantasy talk, and we all know it. Good to speculate over a pint.
-
Most definitely not. The Daly-esque collapse of any interest he had in performing to his best for Wasps once he'd knew he was going was truly, well, Daly-esque!! ;D
-
Thought he went off the boil ages before that. When he first palled up with Fazlet in fact.