Always a Wasp
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1
Wasps Rugby Discussion / OT Ritchie McCaw
« on: January 01, 2024, 12:56:32 PM »
I've just come across Gen HR McMaster's Battlegrounds podcast and he has a very interesting interview with Ritchie McCaw. I've heard Gen McMaster talk about his love of the game before so its an informed discussion:
There's also a nice potted history of the sport including and interesting, but sad, stat of how many rugby players dies in WW1.
Its on all the platforms including here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JniOGAEJgv52Iu1C4cdI7
Quote
In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Richie McCaw discuss the state of rugby and the lessons the sport offers for developing leaders, fostering teamwork, strengthening communities, and building a better future,
There's also a nice potted history of the sport including and interesting, but sad, stat of how many rugby players dies in WW1.
Its on all the platforms including here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JniOGAEJgv52Iu1C4cdI7
2
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Ireland v New Zealand Living up it its billing
« on: October 14, 2023, 08:45:59 PM »
Great game so far, worthy of a final.
3
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Portugal
« on: October 08, 2023, 09:55:17 PM »
First chance I?ve had to watch them and seriously impressed with their bravery in defence and ball handling skills
I?m so happy for them, that commitment was immense.
I?m so happy for them, that commitment was immense.
4
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Why Wasps need a strong England
« on: August 26, 2023, 07:15:09 PM »
One of my biggest criticisms of Eddie was that he didn't seem to take the 6N seriously, claiming it was all about the WC. I presume that's because his contract was biased towards winning the WC and incentives matter.
The 6N is the yearly showpiece and is on free to air TV and is the one chance that most sports fans get to watch rugby and get attracted to the game. General sports fans and children love a winning team and are more likely to get interested in a club and/or attend England games. A popular winning England team also drives up TV rights receipts.
The attendance at Twickenham today was appalling, the whole top tier was empty and there were huge gaps elsewhere. I contend that if England had won or been very close with the last 2 or 3 6Ns there'd have been a lot more fans willing to pay the exorbitant ticket prices for a day out and that being the holiday season has much to do with the low turnout.
Yes, it was nice beating the ABs in the last WC semi final but the glory from that only lasted as long as the first dismal 6N performances.
The only way back for Wasps that I can now imagine is an England side that is generating cash for the RFU and the only way that can happen is a strong 6N showing, ideally the odd Grand Slam, irrespective of the WC cycle. Winning is a habit anyway so doing well in the 6N will lead to WC success.
Until and unless that happens there won't be the interest in the game and the RFU won't have any cash to strengthen the professional game and that is the only way Wasps come back.
Schadenfreude in England's dismal performances does not help Wasps.
The 6N is the yearly showpiece and is on free to air TV and is the one chance that most sports fans get to watch rugby and get attracted to the game. General sports fans and children love a winning team and are more likely to get interested in a club and/or attend England games. A popular winning England team also drives up TV rights receipts.
The attendance at Twickenham today was appalling, the whole top tier was empty and there were huge gaps elsewhere. I contend that if England had won or been very close with the last 2 or 3 6Ns there'd have been a lot more fans willing to pay the exorbitant ticket prices for a day out and that being the holiday season has much to do with the low turnout.
Yes, it was nice beating the ABs in the last WC semi final but the glory from that only lasted as long as the first dismal 6N performances.
The only way back for Wasps that I can now imagine is an England side that is generating cash for the RFU and the only way that can happen is a strong 6N showing, ideally the odd Grand Slam, irrespective of the WC cycle. Winning is a habit anyway so doing well in the 6N will lead to WC success.
Until and unless that happens there won't be the interest in the game and the RFU won't have any cash to strengthen the professional game and that is the only way Wasps come back.
Schadenfreude in England's dismal performances does not help Wasps.
5
Wasps Rugby Discussion / OT Eddie at it again ...
« on: August 10, 2023, 11:38:15 AM »
From the Beeb, my emphasis:
Quote
Flanker Michael Hooper and fly-half Quade Cooper have been left out of Australia's World Cup squad by coach Eddie Jones.
Hooper, who has captained the Wallabies for the best part of the last decade, and 80-cap fly-half Cooper were the headline omissions in the 33-man squad.
...
Hooper, who has played 125 times for Australia since 2012, was named co-captain of the Wallabies with James Slipper for the Rugby Championship earlier this year but only played in the opening loss to South Africa before being sidelined by a calf injury.
Cooper, 35, had been expected to be Australia's starting fly-half in France after recovering from a ruptured Achilles to return to the squad.
Carter Gordon, who played his first Test last month, will now travel to France as Australia's sole specialist number 10 with Ben Donaldson, who has played two internationals, backing up as a utility player.
6
Wasps Rugby Discussion / I think I?ve found a new team to support
« on: May 23, 2023, 08:56:34 PM »
We?re currently in the Black Forest and we were heading down to the Alps for next week but have just found out it?s out half term and they take Whitsuntide really seriously. Anyway, we?ve just changed plans and tomorrow we will head for Rottweil (yep, where the dog name comes from) and I noticed that near to the motorhome site is a rugby club, somI had a look at their website.
The website isn?t very good but have a look at their colours, one of their strips is very Wasps:
https://www.rcrottweil.de/unterstuetze-den-rcr/
The website isn?t very good but have a look at their colours, one of their strips is very Wasps:
https://www.rcrottweil.de/unterstuetze-den-rcr/
7
Wasps Rugby Discussion / England v Italy (spoiler)
« on: February 12, 2023, 03:22:47 PM »
Jack gets the first try. Break off a maul.
8
Wasps Rugby Discussion / HNY from official Twitter account.
« on: December 31, 2022, 09:37:52 PM »9
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Shaun Edwards on Telegraph Rugby Podcast
« on: November 29, 2022, 05:15:22 AM »
I haven't listened yet as it's just dropped, but thought those setting out for work might want to download it before they leave.
10
Wasps Rugby Discussion / A bit of perspective
« on: October 17, 2022, 02:16:35 PM »
We're all quite rightly saddened for the club, players and staff and for the loss of Wasps in our lives. I've just had it all put in perspective.
I went out for a walk a couple of hours ago and bumped in to one of my neighbours out for a slow stroll.
A month a ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They told her it looked operable from the scans but when they opened her up it had spread too far. She started chemo therapy last week and was out trying to get some sunshine but struggling with catheter.
Their son died about 10 years ago from colon cancer, he was in his mid 20s and left a wife and daughter.
I went out for a walk a couple of hours ago and bumped in to one of my neighbours out for a slow stroll.
A month a ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. They told her it looked operable from the scans but when they opened her up it had spread too far. She started chemo therapy last week and was out trying to get some sunshine but struggling with catheter.
Their son died about 10 years ago from colon cancer, he was in his mid 20s and left a wife and daughter.
11
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Cricket”s warning to rugby and the over reliance on internationals
« on: September 29, 2022, 07:51:37 PM »
My native Yorkshire have just been relegated and I’ve just read a couple of very thought provoking Tweets that the RU authorities should bear in mind:
And from Sir Geoffrey’s Telegraph article:
I happen to think there’s a bit more to it in this case, life is never as simple as a couple of Tweets, but they do highlight a major problem of the route the RU authorities are in danger of going down with the continual focus on England over club rugby.
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Let me get this straight, divisions were invented to strenghten the test team, Yorks provide the backbone of the england team and get relegated not being able to play them.
https://twitter.com/karlovichmac/status/1575514809147461632?s=21&t=LqIO5rEs-FpEi1HfMntkZQ
And from Sir Geoffrey’s Telegraph article:
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'The County Championship effectively favours clubs who do not produce any England internationals or many quality players who go to play the Hundred. What a farce!'
https://twitter.com/telecricket/status/1575537537296351233?s=21&t=LqIO5rEs-FpEi1HfMntkZQ
I happen to think there’s a bit more to it in this case, life is never as simple as a couple of Tweets, but they do highlight a major problem of the route the RU authorities are in danger of going down with the continual focus on England over club rugby.
12
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Jack showing off new England kit
« on: August 26, 2022, 01:51:56 PM »
https://twitter.com/englandrugby/status/1563089737706926081?s=21&t=Z1TOVVX9Ks5KpedMvz168w
I’m not sure about it. The women’s looks a bit better.
I’m not sure about it. The women’s looks a bit better.
13
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Travelling - Henley on Thames to CBS
« on: August 20, 2022, 10:31:19 AM »
I'm going to be at a campsite in Henley on Thames on 7 and 8 Oct and we play Saints at the CBS on the 9th so I'm considering staying on and using it as a base to go to the game.
I see that is possible to do the journey by train and it takes a couple of hours. Is it a reasonable journey and is there any other way of getting there eg coach?
I see that is possible to do the journey by train and it takes a couple of hours. Is it a reasonable journey and is there any other way of getting there eg coach?
14
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Would you have WLR back?
« 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
https://twitter.com/saffasrugby/status/1556227712578367490?s=21&t=ai_wNhVodS-_pgUjHRLDQQ
15
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Tom needs some support
« on: June 03, 2022, 07:48:21 PM »
RiL are running a Team Of The Season poll. Tom’s in one of the semi finals but not doing well.
https://twitter.com/rugbyinsideline/status/1532751988215238660?s=21&t=Gk3EeeIOZbvyjdO7F_QxZA
BTW, RiL have had a bigger brain fart than me, they labelled it a scrum half vote 😂😂
https://twitter.com/rugbyinsideline/status/1532751988215238660?s=21&t=Gk3EeeIOZbvyjdO7F_QxZA
BTW, RiL have had a bigger brain fart than me, they labelled it a scrum half vote 😂😂