Always a Wasp
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211
Wasps Rugby Discussion / SuperJimmy!
« on: May 11, 2017, 09:28:19 AM »
Jimmy Gopperth adds the RPA player's player of the year award to his golden boot. His Nobel prize for general awesomeness is in the post.
Interesting how the BBC now describes him as a utility back, rather than a fly half...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39879505
Interesting how the BBC now describes him as a utility back, rather than a fly half...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39879505
212
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Semi Final Predictions
« on: May 07, 2017, 11:15:21 AM »
So now we know who's playing who and where what are your predictions for the next round?
Personally I'd be surprised if we didn't beat Tigers at home. I think it will be closer than against Sarries, but I suspect we'll win it with a difference of about 5 points.
The other game I'm less sure about. I think it all depends on next week. McCall stated he was protecting a few players who had picked up a knock and wanted to make sure he didn't find himself with them for the ECC final. Which makes me wonder if one or two of their top players will be absent for Chiefs too. If so I think Chiefs might squeak through. If Sarries are full strength I think they'll either be on a high, or looking to make a statement after losing.
On balance I think Sarries may well scrape a win.
Leaving us against Sarries in the Final. Smart money will of course be on them, but we'll go with the belief that we can beat them, and they will have had to survive the attrition of a cup final and a knock out game against their closest rivals in direct forward based rugby.
So I'm actually beginning to think we might just win this...
Personally I'd be surprised if we didn't beat Tigers at home. I think it will be closer than against Sarries, but I suspect we'll win it with a difference of about 5 points.
The other game I'm less sure about. I think it all depends on next week. McCall stated he was protecting a few players who had picked up a knock and wanted to make sure he didn't find himself with them for the ECC final. Which makes me wonder if one or two of their top players will be absent for Chiefs too. If so I think Chiefs might squeak through. If Sarries are full strength I think they'll either be on a high, or looking to make a statement after losing.
On balance I think Sarries may well scrape a win.
Leaving us against Sarries in the Final. Smart money will of course be on them, but we'll go with the belief that we can beat them, and they will have had to survive the attrition of a cup final and a knock out game against their closest rivals in direct forward based rugby.
So I'm actually beginning to think we might just win this...
213
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Kyle Eastmond
« on: May 06, 2017, 08:45:11 PM »
Apparently said he is definitely staying, and expects to be fit by September.
Really pleased, I think he has bags of potential and was only just beginning to settle enough to show it.
Really pleased, I think he has bags of potential and was only just beginning to settle enough to show it.
214
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Morning All!
« on: May 06, 2017, 09:20:23 AM »
It's been an unsual few days in the VV house.
On Thursday night I had a phone call from my wife round about the time she was due to be getting home from work. I wasn't concerned as she'd said she was going to vote on her way back so my be a bit late.
Turns out she'd popped into the local Tesco to use the loo and had slipped on something on the floor that someone had spilled and now her arm really hurt.
At 3am when we were finally released from A&E it turns out she'd broken both her wrist and her elbow.
She isn't allowed to drive now and so instead of her working and me looking after the kids, I am down at the office looking after things while she spends the day trying not to be in too much pain at home.
So apologies for not being around much...
I am oddly calm about today's match. I firmly believe we can win it, and win it conclusively. But I also believe we could completely choke and Sarries could do a number on us. If I'm being honest, I think the latter is probably more likely. Ive seen nothign revently to suggest we can recreate the form of the Valentines day massacre.
So here's to being proven wrong!
#COYW!
On Thursday night I had a phone call from my wife round about the time she was due to be getting home from work. I wasn't concerned as she'd said she was going to vote on her way back so my be a bit late.
Turns out she'd popped into the local Tesco to use the loo and had slipped on something on the floor that someone had spilled and now her arm really hurt.
At 3am when we were finally released from A&E it turns out she'd broken both her wrist and her elbow.
She isn't allowed to drive now and so instead of her working and me looking after the kids, I am down at the office looking after things while she spends the day trying not to be in too much pain at home.
So apologies for not being around much...
I am oddly calm about today's match. I firmly believe we can win it, and win it conclusively. But I also believe we could completely choke and Sarries could do a number on us. If I'm being honest, I think the latter is probably more likely. Ive seen nothign revently to suggest we can recreate the form of the Valentines day massacre.
So here's to being proven wrong!
#COYW!
215
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Work in Progress? Or on a downward slide?
« on: April 29, 2017, 10:05:12 AM »
When I look at how we have performed for the last couple of seasons, and what appears to be happening now I am reminded of Sarries a few years ago when they were on the rise. They were pretty dominant in the league and the Heiney, but failed to make it count at the last moment. They managed to use that as a learning point and have gone on to dominate both competitons.
I really want to think we are following a similar trajectory, and whilst we have a good squad and can play some great rugby we are simply not experienced enough or hard-nosed enough to win silverware right now. But I am deeply concerned that our lack of signings and squad improvement will stop any further improvement. I can't help but worry that this might be as good as it gets and that next year we will be struggling to get into the top 4 again. Beale is leaving, Leiua is leaving, Halai is leaving, Hasks is clearly struggling, we still don't have a first choice specialist 12, neither Cips nor Gopps seem to be able to perform well enough to claim the starting shirt.
It looks like we're only an few injuries away from struggling to field a decent team at all at the moment.
I really want to think we are following a similar trajectory, and whilst we have a good squad and can play some great rugby we are simply not experienced enough or hard-nosed enough to win silverware right now. But I am deeply concerned that our lack of signings and squad improvement will stop any further improvement. I can't help but worry that this might be as good as it gets and that next year we will be struggling to get into the top 4 again. Beale is leaving, Leiua is leaving, Halai is leaving, Hasks is clearly struggling, we still don't have a first choice specialist 12, neither Cips nor Gopps seem to be able to perform well enough to claim the starting shirt.
It looks like we're only an few injuries away from struggling to field a decent team at all at the moment.
216
Wasps Rugby Discussion / O/T Youtube Channels
« on: April 21, 2017, 10:01:17 AM »
Do any of you post anything on YouTube? Or if not do you sunscribe to non-rugby channels?
I maintain a Martial Arts channel that is growing in popularity and follow a few similar ones.
https://www.youtube.com/EnglishMartialArts
I maintain a Martial Arts channel that is growing in popularity and follow a few similar ones.
https://www.youtube.com/EnglishMartialArts
218
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Argentina 2017
« on: April 19, 2017, 03:15:32 PM »
So now we know which Wasp will be going to New Zeakand with the Lions, who do you think we might see in White this year on the Argentina tour?
I's expect Mullan, Taylor, Launch, Hasks, and Hughes to stay in the squad, and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see either/or Robson and Simmo there too. Possibly JCW too. Depending on fitness Jones and Miller might be in with a shout. And as to Wade, I have given up expecting him to get the recognition he deserves. The man is electric, terrifies defenders, and scores tries from absolutely nothing for fun. How he doesnt already have 20 odd caps is beyond me.
What do you think?
I's expect Mullan, Taylor, Launch, Hasks, and Hughes to stay in the squad, and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see either/or Robson and Simmo there too. Possibly JCW too. Depending on fitness Jones and Miller might be in with a shout. And as to Wade, I have given up expecting him to get the recognition he deserves. The man is electric, terrifies defenders, and scores tries from absolutely nothing for fun. How he doesnt already have 20 odd caps is beyond me.
What do you think?
219
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Lions Announcement
« on: April 19, 2017, 12:15:34 PM »
So Warburton is going to be Captain again. I don't get it. I really don't. I can't see why Gats would pick someone who isn't playing anywhere near their best, isnt Captaining their side, and plays for an international side that has failed to win anything of note.
I guess I'm going to be grumpy about this whole squad at this rate. Though at least Elliot is in.
I guess I'm going to be grumpy about this whole squad at this rate. Though at least Elliot is in.
220
Wasps Rugby Discussion / My thoughts on Kurtley Beale's influence on the team.
« on: April 17, 2017, 11:38:00 AM »221
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Malakai Fekitoa
« on: April 17, 2017, 08:25:14 AM »
Maybe counting our chickens before they've signed, but...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlQQKKUS84
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlQQKKUS84
222
Wasps Rugby Discussion / After sleeping on it
« on: April 17, 2017, 07:59:59 AM »
I'm still not sure if we did enough yesterday to stake our claim for silverware.
Yes we got the 5 points, and that is by far the most important thing. Yes Thompson was great again, Bassett showed he is a great winger, Youngyoung showed a little of his form from the early part of the seaons. Hasks showed a little of his hard hitting form, Beale and Willie leRoux whoeed their class, and Gopperth justified being first choice right now.
But...
Robson and Cipriani seemed off their usual great form. Both can be truly great when they hit the straps, but they didn't realy seem to, and it feels symptomatic of the whole squad. We always seem to play to the levelof our opponents. We started off trying to find the magic early on and it went terribly wrong, but then even when we settled down and took our chances we seemed to take our foot off the gas. Where was the hard edge? Where was the desire to be the best we can be? We got the 5 in the bag and then let off the pressure.
Was it simply Dai making sure all the bench got a decent run in case they have to play in a truly important game soon? Or was it just the way we are? If the former does getting a run count for more than the confidence of truly hammering another team? And if the latter will it come back to bit us in the last couple of games of the real season, or in the playy-offs beyond.
I really don't know.
It could easily just be that I spent such a long time watching us lose games I knew we should be able to win. Even after that season we spent a long time just giving in. Often in games we were winning, or should have won easily. This feels a little like the same thing. It still feels alittle like Wasps are the brilliant kid at school who can do better than everyone else in the class, but has learned that they don't have to work hard to succeed. Sooner or later there will be a point where natural ablity isn't enough any more, and if we haven't learned how to work for it then we may well come a cropper.
Either that or I am just panicking because this is all a bit exciting...
Yes we got the 5 points, and that is by far the most important thing. Yes Thompson was great again, Bassett showed he is a great winger, Youngyoung showed a little of his form from the early part of the seaons. Hasks showed a little of his hard hitting form, Beale and Willie leRoux whoeed their class, and Gopperth justified being first choice right now.
But...
Robson and Cipriani seemed off their usual great form. Both can be truly great when they hit the straps, but they didn't realy seem to, and it feels symptomatic of the whole squad. We always seem to play to the levelof our opponents. We started off trying to find the magic early on and it went terribly wrong, but then even when we settled down and took our chances we seemed to take our foot off the gas. Where was the hard edge? Where was the desire to be the best we can be? We got the 5 in the bag and then let off the pressure.
Was it simply Dai making sure all the bench got a decent run in case they have to play in a truly important game soon? Or was it just the way we are? If the former does getting a run count for more than the confidence of truly hammering another team? And if the latter will it come back to bit us in the last couple of games of the real season, or in the playy-offs beyond.
I really don't know.
It could easily just be that I spent such a long time watching us lose games I knew we should be able to win. Even after that season we spent a long time just giving in. Often in games we were winning, or should have won easily. This feels a little like the same thing. It still feels alittle like Wasps are the brilliant kid at school who can do better than everyone else in the class, but has learned that they don't have to work hard to succeed. Sooner or later there will be a point where natural ablity isn't enough any more, and if we haven't learned how to work for it then we may well come a cropper.
Either that or I am just panicking because this is all a bit exciting...
223
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Bristol game thread
« on: April 16, 2017, 03:38:56 PM »
35 minute gone and it's a nail biter. We tried too hard to start and had to settle down. 7-14
225
Wasps Rugby Discussion / What is Karma?
« on: April 15, 2017, 10:09:06 AM »
You may notice that on the left, where it shows your username and avatar (picture) if you have chosen one there is something called "Karma"
This is a way of showing whether you like or dislike a post. So for example when Raggs posts one of his detailed match breakdowns and you like it you click on the thumbs up. If for some reason you don't like detailed and helpful posts about Wasps then you'd click the thumbs down. The forum keeps a running record of positive or negative karma and displays it for us all to see.
The idea is that it actively encourages us all to post things that are informative/entertaining/funny or just enjoyable.
You don't have to use it of course, but I thought you might like to know what it was.
This is a way of showing whether you like or dislike a post. So for example when Raggs posts one of his detailed match breakdowns and you like it you click on the thumbs up. If for some reason you don't like detailed and helpful posts about Wasps then you'd click the thumbs down. The forum keeps a running record of positive or negative karma and displays it for us all to see.
The idea is that it actively encourages us all to post things that are informative/entertaining/funny or just enjoyable.
You don't have to use it of course, but I thought you might like to know what it was.