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2416
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: London Irish Yesterday
« on: November 28, 2017, 09:01:47 AM »Our exit plays were awful.
We'd play a bit between the 22/10m line. Pass back to Gopps, who'd put in an uncontestable medium length kick. All our forwards would then have to wait to be put on side. Irish would receive between their 10/22, and then either run back to half way and meet our defence, or up and under it with a competitive (or at least tried) kick in our half. We only broke out of this cycle when a handling error, or penalty was given, inevitably within our own half, so rarely that useful for actually attacking.
I think that you've nailed that......do you think there was a plan when Irish didn't fold in the face of "a bit of play" in the middle of the pitch? It looked a lot like a game where if the initial combinations are not gelling, you surely do those basics of getting the ball off the pitch in their half and compete for the ball to try and make use of the back three, the fasted players at your disposal?
2417
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: London Irish Yesterday
« on: November 27, 2017, 10:06:48 PM »
I only watched the extended highlights, it was yet another combination in midfield, and it didn't seem to click this time. JS looked a little lost and there seemed no coherent plan. Whilst this was not the first choice, it was near enough the first choice back three, and until Wasps started getting them into the play plus Robson's urgency, it did look a lost game
But all teams can have a bit of an off day, and credit must go to Irish who are a dangerous side. However, the problem again for me was the lack of ability to change tactics. Wasps just didn't make use of territorial position and it was one of those games were you take your points as and when.
Obviously the second half eventually showed that Wasps can always score, the hands for Bassett's try were great - looking forwards to Tigers, expect Cips to start with Robson, but focus will need to be reinforced.
But all teams can have a bit of an off day, and credit must go to Irish who are a dangerous side. However, the problem again for me was the lack of ability to change tactics. Wasps just didn't make use of territorial position and it was one of those games were you take your points as and when.
Obviously the second half eventually showed that Wasps can always score, the hands for Bassett's try were great - looking forwards to Tigers, expect Cips to start with Robson, but focus will need to be reinforced.
2418
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Player Influence in the Falcon's Game
« on: November 22, 2017, 10:01:39 PM »Wade is often looking for work, it's just very often as he attracts two defenders, and tightens the defence, he's rarely the best choice, since his presence has created a lot of room further out. Both his tries came on the opposite wing to where he was supposed to be.
Indeed - it shows his confidence is returning, he appeared isolated in some of the earlier games - shame EJ doesn't think he is worth punt.
2419
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Player Influence in the Falcon's Game
« on: November 21, 2017, 03:48:37 PM »
Having watched the extended highlights, it did seem (no data to back it up!)
a) Wadey was looking for work, tackled well and got involved in a turnover. I don't know if someone at the club has suggested he works on those things to make his non selection even more silly, but if he carries on like this??
b) Kyle looked so sharp and a real bonus
c) De Jongh just looks class
d) Bassett's try was a fantastic run with a classic "pace swerve" to get past the cover.
e) Simpson looked fast and fit
Sooner or later, we'll be able to start: Robson, Cips, Bassett, Eastmond, Daly, Wade, WLR with de Jong and Gabi and Marcus in the mix (Bench?) now with a little ball, that could be fun (apols to Jimmy, not sure if he'd make my number one quick team!)
a) Wadey was looking for work, tackled well and got involved in a turnover. I don't know if someone at the club has suggested he works on those things to make his non selection even more silly, but if he carries on like this??
b) Kyle looked so sharp and a real bonus
c) De Jongh just looks class
d) Bassett's try was a fantastic run with a classic "pace swerve" to get past the cover.
e) Simpson looked fast and fit
Sooner or later, we'll be able to start: Robson, Cips, Bassett, Eastmond, Daly, Wade, WLR with de Jong and Gabi and Marcus in the mix (Bench?) now with a little ball, that could be fun (apols to Jimmy, not sure if he'd make my number one quick team!)
2420
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Brad Shields
« on: November 21, 2017, 03:38:49 PM »It's also been clearly said that he's not been contacted by England. My guess is that he knew he was EQP, and his agent knew that was worth something. Wouldn't surprise me if he/his agent made a few more moves during the Lions tour.
Oh, ok, I missed anyone saying that. Where was that? I'm happy he is coming to Wasps, I just don't like trawling for players.
2421
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Brad Shields
« on: November 19, 2017, 10:43:00 PM »
Does anyone know if Eddie tapped him up before Wasps were interested? If so, its not the way I think England should be doing business.
As for Wasps, looks like the sort of signing to provide our backs with the opportunities to beat the best, so great!
As for Wasps, looks like the sort of signing to provide our backs with the opportunities to beat the best, so great!
2422
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Suddenly interested in watching highlight reels and reading articles!
« on: October 23, 2017, 06:37:27 PM »Quote
Quins have picked up a hole in the lineout law that needs fixing for safety reasons. If the jumper for the ball does not get back to ground (is magically held in the air), they can drive holding him up there and the defense cannot tackle him. Or, at least, that is how the ref let it work
Yeah, I thought that - basically if you hold the catcher up, you can walk unopposed over the try line!
2423
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sarries match
« on: October 09, 2017, 02:17:22 PM »Wadey and Daly shine when we put them in the right spaces. Our recent disjointed play has not put them into right spaces at all.
Being soft around the fringes of the ruck came back to haunt us yesterday. Thought we had dealt with that after similar early season episodes.
What really annoyed me yesterday was the penalty count. We will never win anything giving such away easy points. Think Rob Smith is correct in his assessment that we have not adapted to the new ruck laws adequately.
Can't fault the effort and we did at least score 3 tries despite our lack of attacking platform.
Agree with most of that - re the breakdown, I think Sarries were as mystified as Wasps with the random pinging of the breakdown, not sure the refs have got it sorted yet either
2424
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sarries match
« on: October 09, 2017, 11:21:55 AM »Something seems off in Daly's game as well.
I've thought so as well ever since he returned. Post Lions? Possibly. Positional uncertainty from a career POV may have something to do with it.
He seemed quite chilled in the pre game interview - I think we might see on Friday how things are
2425
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sarries match
« on: October 09, 2017, 09:32:33 AM »All in all a much better game to watch than last week. We missed Launchbury and Hughes, especially in the maul. WLR always seems to need a game or two to settle back in.
Just as I don't think that Gopperth was anywhere near fully fit last week. Needs must that he was on the pitch. WLR was not fully fit this week, and neither was Macken. I do not think Johnson was, despite the work he put in. I suspect that Cruse also needs a rest, but he isn't going to get it any time soon.
Haskell is most certainly not fit from a speed POV, but he was better this week. Something seems off in Daly's game as well. Can't put my finger on it.
I hope that is the case - it was not the commitment but the naivety of the play at times. I fully understand the problems if players were not fit so that we'd get 23 out on the day - but we're just not getting anything from Daly (Lions hangover?) or Wade in recent games. Its odd, I was encouraged by the Sale game, but subsequent games where they have been beaten suggests it was not a big achievement.
I am hoping that getting senior players on the pitch on Friday (Robson, Jimmy, Launch, Thompson, Hughes) will provides that leadership and direction. Its not like we can't put a creative back three out!
2426
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sam Jones
« on: September 07, 2017, 04:45:09 PM »It is indeed. Almost as though there is a word/phrase missing, like 'Coming to the end of his injuryQuoteThe description in the press was a fractured fibula, but as he also needed and MRI to assess the soft tissues suggest that it was either a nasty fractire disloaction of the entire ankle, or a rupture of the ankle ligaments with a break higher up towards the knee (both possible from judo). Either one should have been surgically fixed and back to training in a few months. Even when LBND did his ankle and it was fixed he played on it fairly quickly, and then had another bout of injury time when the metalwork was taken out. So far Jones has been out for a year. There is no break of the fibula that could have you out for a year unless there are major complications down the line.
I understand Dai (or someone at Wasps) said it was two injuries,a break and a further ankle area injury involving ligament damage
I am relying on my memory though......
2427
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Sam Jones
« on: September 07, 2017, 12:54:08 PM »Personally I think EJ is a self important d*ck. He's been successful with England but so he should be with the players at his disposal. I won't forgive him for breaking Sam and TT.
I am no fan either - I was also concerned about how tired the players were post 6Ns. EJ has a colourful coaching record and his manic method works so long as results follow - but that sort of regime can go pear shaped quickly too. He is focused just on the RWC 19, and this is with the full backing of the RFU it seems. He does seem fixated on some players and I think England may do well at the RWC, but it may be at the cost of continuity and having a system leading from U18/U20 to Saxons to full team. I am not sure what the impact is on players already in the system when EJ with the RFU backing has scoured the world for eligible players - the RFU must have backed Sale and the Denny transfer, surely?
One positive spin on te EJ regime is that our backs are unlikely to be going to England training camps
2428
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Team against Wuss?
« on: September 06, 2017, 08:52:24 PM »I see that Dai has responded to you Mike, quoted in the CET, but here is what he has said today:
"We don’t want to stop playing, we just have to stamp out doing silly things in the wrong areas.
"That’s not to say we won’t attack from deep or try things, it’s just cutting away the stuff we shouldn’t try, the miracle balls and forcing things, because that’s when we end up causing ourselves problems.
"We’re certainly not going to go away from our attacking philosophy. If it isn’t on we’ll look for exits, but we’ll look to play first - that’s not going to change at all."
I think that sums up what I was trying to say much better than I managed !
2429
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Team against Wuss?
« on: September 06, 2017, 05:43:14 PM »I don't think we were playing 7s, we turned off a bit, and Sale started attacking our weak channels better. As I mentioned, instead of going through Cips a huge amount, it started going through Gaby and WLR a lot at first receiver. WLR definitely started trying for the miracle play, think he was having fun though.
Fair call, it was more a"turn of phrase" I watched the game twice and instead of kicking the ball tactically, to consolidate the position and give the new players a moment, it did get all a bit loose - it was fun, but not a long way from going pear shaped. I still think "game management" will be "discussed" this week!
2430
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Team against Wuss?
« on: September 06, 2017, 01:07:31 PM »As mentioned in the other thread, Wuss didn't look awful in their game against Falcons. I'd expect a win, and as it's Wasps, I'd expect 4+ tries, but this isn't a walkover.
I think the same team, but perhaps some healthy backrow options? Not sure anyone else will be out with injury from Saturday.
As always the 12 shirt is a question as well, I don't think this is a game we need Gopps boot for, and JdJ wasn't as bad as I first thought, might be a chance to start putting Gaby at 12, to build what I think will be our longterm 10/12 partnership. I'd not be upset with any of the combo's in the midfield, but feel Cips at 10 is required.
Backrow last season meant too many games for too few players - due to injuries and call ups. I understand Thomas will be available this weekend and I am hoping Guy too. I'd start TY is fit and have Ashley on the bench. I would hope Armitage gets some game time, real prospect. Back three to start the same, ditto midfield. BUT if we do get ahead, it would be nice for the team not to start playing "7's" when the bench comes on! I think game management will ave been writ large on the whiteboard on Monday morning!