Always a Wasp
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16
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: OT : Farrell past his use by date?
« on: February 25, 2023, 09:12:49 PM »
Yes.
He is committed and no one can doubt his effort. But he is limited and pragmatic. His kicking stats from the tee until recently was a strength, but that is also now on the decline. But if we want to make strides forwards we cannot have a 10 that is so limited, he is slow, ponderous on occasion, and seems to be the handbreak to the team rather than a leader guiding the team around the pitch. Wilkinson or Carter he is not, and I think the time has come to have Smith starting, and likely with Ford moving into the squad over Owen.
He is committed and no one can doubt his effort. But he is limited and pragmatic. His kicking stats from the tee until recently was a strength, but that is also now on the decline. But if we want to make strides forwards we cannot have a 10 that is so limited, he is slow, ponderous on occasion, and seems to be the handbreak to the team rather than a leader guiding the team around the pitch. Wilkinson or Carter he is not, and I think the time has come to have Smith starting, and likely with Ford moving into the squad over Owen.
17
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Which Way Are Tigers Sailing in the Creek ?
« on: February 17, 2023, 12:38:17 PM »
I don't think that rugby is viable in its current form. I stated at the time that I think more teams in the prem will enter administration or go after what happened to us and Worcester. All
clubs are in trouble, and if any of Bristol, Saracens or Baths owners left they would likely fold overnight.
For rugby to survive it finally has to admit that it is a minority sport away from the test arena. It is not going to go the way of football. It will mean less wages, but I also do not buy this argument that rugby players need exorbitant wages as their careers are short. The aim should not be to have players ready to retire from all forms of work in their 20-30s and renumerate them as such. It should be to give them a decent wage, but also prepare them for what will be a longer working career outside of playing. I found the anonymous Welsh player this week complaining of their ?280,000 per annum not being enough exceptionally poor and a sign they are not living a reality that they need to.
A well structured 2 divisions with 12 team with promotion and relegation, with a solid pyramid below down to grass roots is needed. We need to stop chasing unworkable financial horizons, and we need to ensure that a democracy is held between the clubs, the league and the RFU. We cannot let owners of teams like Saracens and Bath push the rules and hide their misdeeds, as they are one of the reasons we are where we are.
We're a modest sport, lets start behaving like it for the good of the game.
clubs are in trouble, and if any of Bristol, Saracens or Baths owners left they would likely fold overnight.
For rugby to survive it finally has to admit that it is a minority sport away from the test arena. It is not going to go the way of football. It will mean less wages, but I also do not buy this argument that rugby players need exorbitant wages as their careers are short. The aim should not be to have players ready to retire from all forms of work in their 20-30s and renumerate them as such. It should be to give them a decent wage, but also prepare them for what will be a longer working career outside of playing. I found the anonymous Welsh player this week complaining of their ?280,000 per annum not being enough exceptionally poor and a sign they are not living a reality that they need to.
A well structured 2 divisions with 12 team with promotion and relegation, with a solid pyramid below down to grass roots is needed. We need to stop chasing unworkable financial horizons, and we need to ensure that a democracy is held between the clubs, the league and the RFU. We cannot let owners of teams like Saracens and Bath push the rules and hide their misdeeds, as they are one of the reasons we are where we are.
We're a modest sport, lets start behaving like it for the good of the game.
18
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Road back to the Prem
« on: February 17, 2023, 09:32:33 AM »
This is a complete rebuild job which will take time. Thankfully this is not a phoenix as the club was purchased.
Yet challenges remain.
Professional rugby is currently non sustainable as it is. You only have to look at Wales and our own prem to see this. We need to start slowly. We have no stadium of our own again, and thus tenancy will have a marked impact on income.
Anyone hoping for a quick return to the Prem and then being competitive are likely to be very disappointed.
Personally I would be very pleased if we are in the prem and pushing to get into Europe in 10 years. I would advocate a semi pro approach until we are sustainable. Working hard on infastructure and building a resiliant business plan so we not only survive but survive well.
Yet challenges remain.
Professional rugby is currently non sustainable as it is. You only have to look at Wales and our own prem to see this. We need to start slowly. We have no stadium of our own again, and thus tenancy will have a marked impact on income.
Anyone hoping for a quick return to the Prem and then being competitive are likely to be very disappointed.
Personally I would be very pleased if we are in the prem and pushing to get into Europe in 10 years. I would advocate a semi pro approach until we are sustainable. Working hard on infastructure and building a resiliant business plan so we not only survive but survive well.
19
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Spoiler: Eng v Scot
« on: February 05, 2023, 07:33:55 PM »
So much has to be done to undo the damage that Eddie Jones did to England post 2019. His overreliance on under performing Saracens players, his inability to keep a stable coaching team. His total loss of vision and constant "building to the World Cup" misfire. Words without action, paucity of effort without application. A narrowing of game play that frustrated and achieved little but derision. Authoritarianism over invention. Separating the fans from the team, and these are just a few ideas that I can think of as I write this prose.
Yesterday was a loss, the 4th time in 5 years that the Calcutta Cup -the first and one of the most important test matches- remains north of Hadrian's wall. As a proud Englishman this hurts! Yes we have other rivalries, but the six nations v the Scots in Rugby's greatest annual tournament is the first fixture I look for.
Yet sometimes a loss is better than a win
10 training sessions under Borthwicks new era was unlikely to defeat a Scottish team settled and more experienced. Yes familiar faces from the South Africa defeat were still present on the teamsheet, but the direction of travel and navigator had changed. As much as there was hope for a result, pragmatism and realism revealed a different picture. What did people think was going to happen? A resounding England win? A dead cat bounce? The first was unlikely as so much is there to do, the second offers no value in the long run.
Did Borthwicks England make some mistakes, yes. Tackle completion was shocking, the defence looked disconnected -especially the 12 channel where Farrell has to shoulder blame for 2 Scottish tries-, the forwards getting lost in the England backline to often. Borthwick selecting Farrell as Captain when Englands future looks much better with Smith in the 10 shirt. But there was more that flipped the assessment dial into the positive. Multi Phase rugby, playing with heads up. Players running hard and straight, offering options when line breaks happened.
Make no bones, we are so far behind the 8 ball with where Jones took us, that to think we could suddenly win the six nations is to discredit the way not only Scotland play (and they are more than a mid table team), but also Ignores what Ireland and France are achieving. Even Italy look like that they have finally come to the party after 20 years. We are not going to win this six nations, we will do well to get into the Quater finals of the world cup. But that is no bad thing, we need to play the long game, one where a change of culture, a link of the fans and team uniting, where wearing the red rose IS the ultimate. That means building on firm foundations. Yes new structures and style slipped, it was always going to be thus in the first test. But there was a palpable sea change, a different feel, something emotionally tactile. And the evidence was a team that kept going, kept trying, kept grafting, were hurting at full time. And even though they were not good enough on the day there is no doubt that the longer Borthwick and co and their values remain the better we will become.
Yesterday was the start of a journey and one that we all will be pleased to be on.
Yesterday was a loss, the 4th time in 5 years that the Calcutta Cup -the first and one of the most important test matches- remains north of Hadrian's wall. As a proud Englishman this hurts! Yes we have other rivalries, but the six nations v the Scots in Rugby's greatest annual tournament is the first fixture I look for.
Yet sometimes a loss is better than a win
10 training sessions under Borthwicks new era was unlikely to defeat a Scottish team settled and more experienced. Yes familiar faces from the South Africa defeat were still present on the teamsheet, but the direction of travel and navigator had changed. As much as there was hope for a result, pragmatism and realism revealed a different picture. What did people think was going to happen? A resounding England win? A dead cat bounce? The first was unlikely as so much is there to do, the second offers no value in the long run.
Did Borthwicks England make some mistakes, yes. Tackle completion was shocking, the defence looked disconnected -especially the 12 channel where Farrell has to shoulder blame for 2 Scottish tries-, the forwards getting lost in the England backline to often. Borthwick selecting Farrell as Captain when Englands future looks much better with Smith in the 10 shirt. But there was more that flipped the assessment dial into the positive. Multi Phase rugby, playing with heads up. Players running hard and straight, offering options when line breaks happened.
Make no bones, we are so far behind the 8 ball with where Jones took us, that to think we could suddenly win the six nations is to discredit the way not only Scotland play (and they are more than a mid table team), but also Ignores what Ireland and France are achieving. Even Italy look like that they have finally come to the party after 20 years. We are not going to win this six nations, we will do well to get into the Quater finals of the world cup. But that is no bad thing, we need to play the long game, one where a change of culture, a link of the fans and team uniting, where wearing the red rose IS the ultimate. That means building on firm foundations. Yes new structures and style slipped, it was always going to be thus in the first test. But there was a palpable sea change, a different feel, something emotionally tactile. And the evidence was a team that kept going, kept trying, kept grafting, were hurting at full time. And even though they were not good enough on the day there is no doubt that the longer Borthwick and co and their values remain the better we will become.
Yesterday was the start of a journey and one that we all will be pleased to be on.
20
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: DCMS report to be issued tomorrow
« on: January 17, 2023, 01:32:27 PM »
If Sweeny and Massie-Taylor had a modicum of dignity and vestige of a moral compass they would resign on the spot. They have and continue to oversee 2 professional groups that rather than growing the game are harming it almost irreparably. In their combined ignorance and arrogance they will likely continue, the power and perks are far to delightful to simply throw away despite their incompetence. The report is enough evidence for them to go.
We and Worcesters previous owners of course made rods for our own backs by mistakes and financial errors aplenty, but every club has its own share of the blame. Craig and Wray are two of the biggest scoundrels in the game who kept cheating to succeed, but every club deserves shared responsibility as they provided cover ups, and with that came an unsustainable increase in the salary cap, aligned with star signing wage exemptions, we raised a bloated Money eating monster expecting to be fed money that simply does not exist in Rugby Union.
If the report is not taken seriously and acted upon we will be left with people who simply do not deserve the honour of being custodians of our game.
We and Worcesters previous owners of course made rods for our own backs by mistakes and financial errors aplenty, but every club has its own share of the blame. Craig and Wray are two of the biggest scoundrels in the game who kept cheating to succeed, but every club deserves shared responsibility as they provided cover ups, and with that came an unsustainable increase in the salary cap, aligned with star signing wage exemptions, we raised a bloated Money eating monster expecting to be fed money that simply does not exist in Rugby Union.
If the report is not taken seriously and acted upon we will be left with people who simply do not deserve the honour of being custodians of our game.
21
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Time for positivity.
« on: January 14, 2023, 12:07:13 PM »
Time for us to look forward rather than back! So on this wet old winters day why don’t we name one positive/good/exciting reason each about our return next season. For me….
Games at clubs like London Scottish, Richmond. Not on TV so like the BBC Grandstand/amateur days where you actually go to the games to see it, thus sharing time with oppo fans and families in a smaller more exciting atmosphere.
Games at clubs like London Scottish, Richmond. Not on TV so like the BBC Grandstand/amateur days where you actually go to the games to see it, thus sharing time with oppo fans and families in a smaller more exciting atmosphere.
22
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Salt in wounds
« on: January 14, 2023, 07:03:40 AM »
It is hard watching our ex players with other teams, and their performances only show we were building a young squad that over the next year or 2 should have been competing to win silverware. However I also take huge heart that they are still playing and achieving wherever they are.
Like others I cannot watch the league, and have not since we folded, and this is the first time since we formed the league structure that I do not know what position teams are in.
However with the mess that our club ended up in, the reset is so important, and the fact we are being bought by Wasps legends rather than a anonymous business/rich benefactor allows our heritage and values as a club to survive. Our soul if you will is saved.
I hope we get back to the top, pushing for domestic and European honours. But I truly look forward to going to smaller grounds, where you can stand by the pitch, beer in hand with wonderful families and supporters from clubs like Coventry, Richmond, London Scottish etc, and share time with fellow Waspies once more. In the quest for professionalism some of these wonderful experiences were lost in the 90’s and I for one am looking forward greatly to enjoying it once more.
So when we are back, let’s dig our black and gold scarfs out and show everyone how special it is being a Wasp!
Like others I cannot watch the league, and have not since we folded, and this is the first time since we formed the league structure that I do not know what position teams are in.
However with the mess that our club ended up in, the reset is so important, and the fact we are being bought by Wasps legends rather than a anonymous business/rich benefactor allows our heritage and values as a club to survive. Our soul if you will is saved.
I hope we get back to the top, pushing for domestic and European honours. But I truly look forward to going to smaller grounds, where you can stand by the pitch, beer in hand with wonderful families and supporters from clubs like Coventry, Richmond, London Scottish etc, and share time with fellow Waspies once more. In the quest for professionalism some of these wonderful experiences were lost in the 90’s and I for one am looking forward greatly to enjoying it once more.
So when we are back, let’s dig our black and gold scarfs out and show everyone how special it is being a Wasp!
23
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Merry Christmas All!
« on: December 24, 2022, 10:15:56 PM »
A happy Christmas to every Waspie.
My Christmas wish is to see our lads in Black and Gold take to the field again, To once more be among fellow Waspies and hear Allez Allez Allez resound once more!
Here’s to our next morning all……and to our future! Now where’s my black and gold bonnet?
Chris
Once A Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
My Christmas wish is to see our lads in Black and Gold take to the field again, To once more be among fellow Waspies and hear Allez Allez Allez resound once more!
Here’s to our next morning all……and to our future! Now where’s my black and gold bonnet?
Chris
Once A Wasp ALWAYS a Wasp!
24
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Recovery of shirts and memorabilia in the CBS Clubhouse
« on: November 28, 2022, 04:44:15 PM »
It is still possible we will be back…..however todays events seem to make it very clear it will not be in Coventry. On a personal level I am not disappointed if that is the case.
25
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England
« on: November 19, 2022, 08:18:08 PM »
Well that was like going to a brothel and ending up with a hug!
26
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: enland
« on: November 06, 2022, 07:27:16 PM »
Ben Youngs is ponderously slow, and indeed his constant need to wind up his pass and take 1-2 steps is not good enough at international level.
Joe C is a young man, who needs to develop in the premiership as he currently has to underdeveloped a game to step up....However Jones see's big and fast(ish) and thats enough.
Nowell is really struggling, yet Jones ignores form.
Jones also needs to make a decision on either Farrell or Smith as they are not working together. My gut would be if you remove Farrell you will realise the potential of Smith. However we are unlikely to see this as Farrell fits the Jones model of pragmatism.
I admit though I have NEVER seen such a team so limited, so prescribed and yet so lacking in ideas. Compare and contrast with Ireland who know exactly what each other is doing, back one another, yet can play multiple phases with a huge understanding with one another. We are so far from this it is unreal. However equally it is very clear why its happening because Eddie Jones is so obsessed at finding a new way, and new edge that he tries everything. He muddies the waters, and yet equally is not against heading off on a sojourn. There is no clarity, no understanding and no ambition.
I think when Jones goes, and the risk of speaking against him lessons we will find things were not the rosy picture the players paint.
Joe C is a young man, who needs to develop in the premiership as he currently has to underdeveloped a game to step up....However Jones see's big and fast(ish) and thats enough.
Nowell is really struggling, yet Jones ignores form.
Jones also needs to make a decision on either Farrell or Smith as they are not working together. My gut would be if you remove Farrell you will realise the potential of Smith. However we are unlikely to see this as Farrell fits the Jones model of pragmatism.
I admit though I have NEVER seen such a team so limited, so prescribed and yet so lacking in ideas. Compare and contrast with Ireland who know exactly what each other is doing, back one another, yet can play multiple phases with a huge understanding with one another. We are so far from this it is unreal. However equally it is very clear why its happening because Eddie Jones is so obsessed at finding a new way, and new edge that he tries everything. He muddies the waters, and yet equally is not against heading off on a sojourn. There is no clarity, no understanding and no ambition.
I think when Jones goes, and the risk of speaking against him lessons we will find things were not the rosy picture the players paint.
27
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: enland
« on: November 06, 2022, 06:40:43 PM »
I cannot recall a previous head coach that has alienated and dissociated so many people from their team. Lancaster may have made a huge mistake at the 2015 World Cup, however he really got us all involved and invested in our national side. I know he ballsed up the tactics for the World Cup, but I wonder whether we should of let him make amends rather than this!
28
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: enland
« on: November 06, 2022, 04:26:39 PM »
My reaction is that I am not surprised that I am not surprised.
Eddie Jones has long overstayed his time with us, he has access to some of the greatest times with players and the best facilities. Yet time and time again since 2019 he provides dross.
He put a team on the field that looked limited and they played a very limited game plan. Worst of all they looked like 15 individuals rather than a coherent team. Not being able to string a few phases together, passes to no-one and completely bereft of shape.
Frankly when your hear Jones stating -again- that we are not playing everything we can do because he wants to surprise others at the World Cup, then you know we are in trouble. New Zealand do not do that, they do their best every time and then they try new things and layer it on. Surprises at the World Cup mean that we will not know if it works or not, and if it does not it’s too late.
Eddie Jones and ourselves need to go into every test giving everything to win by using everything at our disposal. Treating every test, tournament, World Cup and series with equal importance is THE only way, not saving it for a World Cup.
Please Eddie go now. I would rather lose with a head coach who really gets it and a team desperate to win everything than continue with a coach who has managed to create a disconnect between the team and the fans and creates performances like that.
Eddie Jones has long overstayed his time with us, he has access to some of the greatest times with players and the best facilities. Yet time and time again since 2019 he provides dross.
He put a team on the field that looked limited and they played a very limited game plan. Worst of all they looked like 15 individuals rather than a coherent team. Not being able to string a few phases together, passes to no-one and completely bereft of shape.
Frankly when your hear Jones stating -again- that we are not playing everything we can do because he wants to surprise others at the World Cup, then you know we are in trouble. New Zealand do not do that, they do their best every time and then they try new things and layer it on. Surprises at the World Cup mean that we will not know if it works or not, and if it does not it’s too late.
Eddie Jones and ourselves need to go into every test giving everything to win by using everything at our disposal. Treating every test, tournament, World Cup and series with equal importance is THE only way, not saving it for a World Cup.
Please Eddie go now. I would rather lose with a head coach who really gets it and a team desperate to win everything than continue with a coach who has managed to create a disconnect between the team and the fans and creates performances like that.
29
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Hope?
« on: October 30, 2022, 07:20:05 AM »
Certainty hugely positive news, I do not care what level or location we play at as long as we are playing. I am happy to fans on a muddy pitch line in freezing conditions in Surrey 4 as long as the lads in black and gold are back.
One thing I am certain about though is we do not need the CBS. If we have learnt one thing it really is true that rugby teams do not need a stadium of that size. Let’s be more modest, find a location that fits us. A smaller stadium with a 10,001 capacity will be more than enough.
Let’s start afresh, the club has never been about its location but about all of us. Once a Wasp always a Wasp is a truly powerful entity and that is what will see us through. (Although a few quid to get the kit in and the turnstiles turning will not go amiss!)
One thing I am certain about though is we do not need the CBS. If we have learnt one thing it really is true that rugby teams do not need a stadium of that size. Let’s be more modest, find a location that fits us. A smaller stadium with a 10,001 capacity will be more than enough.
Let’s start afresh, the club has never been about its location but about all of us. Once a Wasp always a Wasp is a truly powerful entity and that is what will see us through. (Although a few quid to get the kit in and the turnstiles turning will not go amiss!)
30
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Relegation Confirmed - Apparently
« on: October 30, 2022, 07:12:38 AM »
I have yet to watch a Premiership match since we entered administration and I am not sure I will. I will watch the Heineken cup and certainly the Autumn internationals and six nations, but the Premiership holds no interest.
I do not know whether this is related to the ‘sporting bereavement’ reaction I am having, or simply that when you don’t have skin in the game there really is no interest. I love rugby, it is my life’s passion, but currently it holds absolutely zero appeal in the Premiership. Am I alone voice or is this a growing wave that will eventually kill off more teams and see the suspension of the league?
One thing for certain it cannot go on as it is.
I do not know whether this is related to the ‘sporting bereavement’ reaction I am having, or simply that when you don’t have skin in the game there really is no interest. I love rugby, it is my life’s passion, but currently it holds absolutely zero appeal in the Premiership. Am I alone voice or is this a growing wave that will eventually kill off more teams and see the suspension of the league?
One thing for certain it cannot go on as it is.