Always a Wasp
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16
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Just in case EA don't win promotion.
« on: April 13, 2021, 12:04:02 PM »QuoteThe Midlands, South West and London are well stocked with top sides, it is short sighted not to think about spreading the game further north.
As for the EAs every option will be looked at to return them to the top division, regardless of whether they deserve it or not
so on the one hand you are suggesting that a side should get promoted because they are from a specific area, not because they deserve it, but then complaining that Sarries may get promoted whether they deserve it or not?
seems slightly contradictory to me...
Any outcome that means that the side that wins the championship gets promoted (with the caveat of the rules around qualifying for promotion) will be wrong IMO, whether done for the best of reasons or not.
I am OK with promotion/relegation being suspended for a season or 2, but would be very wary of staying that way any longer.
I am not suggesting that, what I am saying is that people/the press are suggesting that Ealing is a natural choice for elevation and they can 'buy' their way in, my thoughts are that the game needs more Northern clubs and the RFU/PRL should be considering that if a club was allowed to purchase a place (not that I agree with buying in). With regard to The EAs, even if they don't win promotion outright, I am sure a way will be found to return them to the top flight, they are a tainted brand but the higher echelons of the game want them back in the top tier, sad but true.
17
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Just in case EA don't win promotion.
« on: April 13, 2021, 07:51:29 AM »
Are Ealing really a team of sufficient size? They have an average attendance of below 1000. It seems wholly artificial to me surely the RFU should be looking to promote/expand the game in the north of the country, moving beyond the current two teams. The Midlands, South West and London are well stocked with top sides, it is short sighted not to think about spreading the game further north.
As for the EAs every option will be looked at to return them to the top division, regardless of whether they deserve it or not, which is disappointing but inevitable. I have no doubt Wray will be operating in the shadows to get the cheats back to the top tier.
As for the EAs every option will be looked at to return them to the top division, regardless of whether they deserve it or not, which is disappointing but inevitable. I have no doubt Wray will be operating in the shadows to get the cheats back to the top tier.
18
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Is Ihaia West Wasps kind of player?
« on: April 10, 2021, 08:12:25 PM »
I actually thought he was La Rochelle's most pivotal player, he would be a great addition, however he will head to Japan.
19
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Costello Linked with Return to Munster
« on: March 31, 2021, 04:05:39 PM »
https://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/munster-rugby/wasps-coach-costello-emerges-as-leading-candidate-for-munster-role-40261184.html
Wasps' highly-rated defence coach Ian Costello has been identified as a leading candidate for the vacant position of Munster Academy Manager.
Wasps' highly-rated defence coach Ian Costello has been identified as a leading candidate for the vacant position of Munster Academy Manager.
20
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Lee's 'struggle' with officials missing Mateo Carreras eye-contact inciden
« on: March 29, 2021, 06:50:33 AM »
Dean Richards public statements makes me like him even less https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/mateo-carreras-dean-richards-eye-20275099
"There was no intention to hurt anybody. He said he wanted to annoy the guy on the floor, which was Bassett, and that was it. Sadly, a finger caught an eye and big deals have been made of it by Austin Healey, but I've seen Austin do a lot worse than that in the past"
He doesn't once condemn Carreras' actions, then makes a feeble attempt to divert attention towards Austin Healey. There are clearly some people still in the game that accommodate this kind of behaviour as 'just part of the game'.
"There was no intention to hurt anybody. He said he wanted to annoy the guy on the floor, which was Bassett, and that was it. Sadly, a finger caught an eye and big deals have been made of it by Austin Healey, but I've seen Austin do a lot worse than that in the past"
He doesn't once condemn Carreras' actions, then makes a feeble attempt to divert attention towards Austin Healey. There are clearly some people still in the game that accommodate this kind of behaviour as 'just part of the game'.
21
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Lee's 'struggle' with officials missing Mateo Carreras eye-contact inciden
« on: March 25, 2021, 08:16:38 PM »
No comment, I think from Falcons and Dean 'Should Have Gone to Specsavers' Richards, they have replayed the RFU commentary...
https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/nine-week-ban-for-mateo-carreras
https://www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk/news/story/nine-week-ban-for-mateo-carreras
22
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: EJ is a great coach, but he has reached a crossroads – it is time for him to go.
« on: March 23, 2021, 09:39:01 AM »
This is spot on, the Big Dipper analogy sums it up.
23
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Ryan Mills - Instagram
« on: March 22, 2021, 05:42:12 PM »+1 on the bad signing, I think there was a feeling he was made of glass and sadly it has been proven. He is undoubtedly a talented player but not really robust enough.Bugger. Must be so frustrating for him.
In these tough times with no free cash available frustrating doesn't really cover it. Wasps cannot afford to be paying players that never play. We just don't have the money. This has proved to be a very bad signing in hindsight. How long does a player have to be unavailable for before medical release clauses kick in?
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Ryan Mills - Instagram
« on: March 22, 2021, 05:23:30 PM »
I feel for him, however...
We need to make 12 a priority signing now, Jimmy is probably in his last full season, Spink has disappeared off the face of the earth, MLB is okay but not a first pick. Given Mills' fragility, not just with us but also previously with Warriors then Lee will have to give this some thought if he hasn't already, and he won't be match fit until late Autumn even if physically fit.
We need to make 12 a priority signing now, Jimmy is probably in his last full season, Spink has disappeared off the face of the earth, MLB is okay but not a first pick. Given Mills' fragility, not just with us but also previously with Warriors then Lee will have to give this some thought if he hasn't already, and he won't be match fit until late Autumn even if physically fit.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Ryan Mills - Instagram
« on: March 22, 2021, 12:28:36 PM »
His Instagram story this morning showed him in a hospital with the caption 'Another One', which could be him talking about something else than his foot injury of course.
26
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England & Eddie Jones: Post six nations 2021 thoughts.
« on: March 22, 2021, 08:26:30 AM »Apart from wanting the best for Wasp/English team players I have not cheered on England for several years now. I am English. Surely surely the RFH must have a Get Out Clause somewhere? Surely they can get rid of Jones somehow.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/mar/21/eddie-jones-faces-talks-with-rfu-over-england-unacceptable-six-nations-rugby-union
It looks like The RFU have a break clause, which I assume is mutual? He has failed miserably in the 6N, it is not as if he didn't have available talent, he did. He chose to pick a sub-standard team, and let his ego prevail.
Jones is the world’s highest-paid rugby union coach and agreed an extension through to the 2023 World Cup last April. It is believed, however, that it would not necessarily be prohibitively expensive for the RFU to part ways with Jones due to a clause in his contract, similar to that which existed in his previous deal. In that instance the clause was performance related, dependent on how England fared at the 2019 World Cup.
27
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: England & Eddie Jones: Post six nations 2021 thoughts.
« on: March 21, 2021, 09:26:04 AM »
EJ is in total denial, this article whereas not particulalrly insightful, this article does expose his pigheadedness and arrogance.
https://punditarena.com/rugby/jeff-simon/eddie-jones-doubts-coaching-methods-ireland-loss/
Eddie Jones: England in transition.
Jones addressed the media after his side’s disappointing result and he was asked if his coaching methods were still working for the team.
“I don’t think that’s the issue,” Jones said in a press conference.
“If I thought that was the issue, I wouldn’t be coaching the team.
“Look we need to assess where we are going. As I’ve said all along, we are going through a transition period in the team.
This comment is so crass, it is laughable. He talks about transition but insists on picking the same bang average performers - Farrell, The Vunipolas, and the rest of the cheats. This was a dead rubber, surely there was an opportunity to do something different, and even perhaps start to effect a transition. So what is the next phase of the transition, lo0k to the EA squad that is hardly playing, and in a lower league, and start picking them. As other have said elsewhere, he will be staying, he is under contract and the RFU are skint. The man they want is firmly anchored in Exeter and won't be going anywhere soon. As it stands, IMO, we are stuck with EJ until after the next World Cup. EJ's opinion of himself is the issue, that will never change.
https://punditarena.com/rugby/jeff-simon/eddie-jones-doubts-coaching-methods-ireland-loss/
Eddie Jones: England in transition.
Jones addressed the media after his side’s disappointing result and he was asked if his coaching methods were still working for the team.
“I don’t think that’s the issue,” Jones said in a press conference.
“If I thought that was the issue, I wouldn’t be coaching the team.
“Look we need to assess where we are going. As I’ve said all along, we are going through a transition period in the team.
This comment is so crass, it is laughable. He talks about transition but insists on picking the same bang average performers - Farrell, The Vunipolas, and the rest of the cheats. This was a dead rubber, surely there was an opportunity to do something different, and even perhaps start to effect a transition. So what is the next phase of the transition, lo0k to the EA squad that is hardly playing, and in a lower league, and start picking them. As other have said elsewhere, he will be staying, he is under contract and the RFU are skint. The man they want is firmly anchored in Exeter and won't be going anywhere soon. As it stands, IMO, we are stuck with EJ until after the next World Cup. EJ's opinion of himself is the issue, that will never change.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Daily Mail: Wasps set to sign South African scrum half Francois Hougaard
« on: March 16, 2021, 07:38:59 PM »
If it happens, it would be a great signing. I seem to remember him chasing back and dislodging the ball from Brad Shields who was looking nailed on for a try last season, or perhaps the season before. He wouldn't have to relocate either so this seems like a winner for all concerned.
29
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Wasps v Gloucester Post Match Thoughts.
« on: March 07, 2021, 08:24:25 AM »
One of the things that seems apparent to me is that we lack the controlled aggression needed to stamp authority early on in games. In the recent defeats we have been second best in this department by some distance. Perhaps Lee needs to take a look at this, as we are far too 'nice' Earlier posts mentioned a peppering of gnarly Saffas. This would be no bad shout IMO, Ackerman seemed to swat our players aside yesterday. We see the same where there are other imports of this ilk. There is no doubt our skills are good enough but our discipline is plain awful, it is not even poor discipline in terms of foul play...just stupidity and lack of common sense. If we can up our game in terms of physicality and adopting a more abrasive edge then we have a chance of turning things around....and stop having brain implosions of course.
30
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Re: Indiscipline
« on: February 27, 2021, 07:51:32 PM »
Gaskell always seems to give a cynical smile, and occasional backchat, after every ping, he gets on the wrong side of refs early and that sets a theme...JTA is clumsy and is an easy target for refs. I concur with every previous comments that our penalty count is costing us, easily fixed but game after game we get the same theme.
Lee has to get on top of this.
Lee has to get on top of this.