Always a Wasp
Show Posts
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
76
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Team for Quins?
« on: April 24, 2017, 06:28:19 AM »
So what are people thinking?
I'm reckoning 1st choice from here on out, resting/rotating to clear niggles, but no great switches.
Gaskell and Moore should be fit right? And was Sam Jones meant to be fit now? How about big Mac?
Mullan, Taylor, JCW
Gaskell, Launch
Hask, Thompson, Hughes
Robson, Cips
WLR, Gops, Daly, Wade
Beale
Johnson, McIntyre, Moore, Symons, Jones, Simpson, Leiua, Bassett
The 9, 10, 12 (and by extension Bassett on the wing) will obviously be argued.
I'm reckoning 1st choice from here on out, resting/rotating to clear niggles, but no great switches.
Gaskell and Moore should be fit right? And was Sam Jones meant to be fit now? How about big Mac?
Mullan, Taylor, JCW
Gaskell, Launch
Hask, Thompson, Hughes
Robson, Cips
WLR, Gops, Daly, Wade
Beale
Johnson, McIntyre, Moore, Symons, Jones, Simpson, Leiua, Bassett
The 9, 10, 12 (and by extension Bassett on the wing) will obviously be argued.
77
Wasps Rugby Discussion / A bit lost for words - International selections
« on: April 21, 2017, 07:34:47 AM »
I've not posted as much as I'd probably have expected on the international selections. In truth, it's because I'm rather shocked, and not sure what to say. I'm shocked Launch isn't going to the lions, I'm shocked that Taylor and Robson aren't off to Argentina, surprised that Hask isn't on the Lions and that Wade+JCW aren't off to Arg, and disappointed that Jones and Symons aren't off either.
I'm not sure what Eddie is trying to do, all I can really see is that he's seemingly managed to get almost every single vaguely promising player in the AP, involved in one camp or another. Perhaps trying to see everything that is on offer.
I can't say I think taking the Currys to Arg is a bad idea, they're both already doing so well at just 18, that they could have big futures. Equally Maunder has settled well at AP level from what we've seen. Fiji Joe has future England wing written all over him, so I can't argue that. Mallinder has class but needs to prove he can be physical in defence etc. My only concern is that England isn't where these players should be developing their skills. They should be showing effectively international ability with their clubs, that show them to basically be ready for international selection (not necessarily blow the international world away, but at least do their job effectively), rather than international potential which is attempted to be developed at international level.
Perhaps he's happy with his normal 25/26 that he's using, and confident they can go all the way to 2019, and now he's looking for players that in 3-4 years time could be capable of taking over, but as I said, I think players should show they are capable with their clubs, and then be given a shot, rather than show that they are half decent when young, but never get anywhere. A huge number of players have looked like potential rockstars as youngsters, but never really developed or improved, and especially after a 2nd or 3rd season after analysis has exposed their weaknesses no longer look like internationals in the making.
I just hope that we don't pin our future hopes on a large number of very young players, who never end up reaching the potential they showed, whilst a number of already talented mid 20 year old players, miss out on the international exposure required to take their game to the utmost level. There's always a danger of chasing the most exciting youngster, and considering someone at 27 to be over the hill, when in truth they could easily continue to operate at an exceptionally high level until well into their 30s.
I'm not sure what Eddie is trying to do, all I can really see is that he's seemingly managed to get almost every single vaguely promising player in the AP, involved in one camp or another. Perhaps trying to see everything that is on offer.
I can't say I think taking the Currys to Arg is a bad idea, they're both already doing so well at just 18, that they could have big futures. Equally Maunder has settled well at AP level from what we've seen. Fiji Joe has future England wing written all over him, so I can't argue that. Mallinder has class but needs to prove he can be physical in defence etc. My only concern is that England isn't where these players should be developing their skills. They should be showing effectively international ability with their clubs, that show them to basically be ready for international selection (not necessarily blow the international world away, but at least do their job effectively), rather than international potential which is attempted to be developed at international level.
Perhaps he's happy with his normal 25/26 that he's using, and confident they can go all the way to 2019, and now he's looking for players that in 3-4 years time could be capable of taking over, but as I said, I think players should show they are capable with their clubs, and then be given a shot, rather than show that they are half decent when young, but never get anywhere. A huge number of players have looked like potential rockstars as youngsters, but never really developed or improved, and especially after a 2nd or 3rd season after analysis has exposed their weaknesses no longer look like internationals in the making.
I just hope that we don't pin our future hopes on a large number of very young players, who never end up reaching the potential they showed, whilst a number of already talented mid 20 year old players, miss out on the international exposure required to take their game to the utmost level. There's always a danger of chasing the most exciting youngster, and considering someone at 27 to be over the hill, when in truth they could easily continue to operate at an exceptionally high level until well into their 30s.
78
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Team for Bristol
« on: April 14, 2017, 12:03:21 PM »
That pack is very solid, should be enough to win it for us I believe.
79
Wasps Rugby Discussion / This weeks games
« on: April 14, 2017, 08:52:30 AM »
Quins vs Chiefs
OK, so we all know how we'd like this one to go. Chiefs also missing/resting a number of players. For me it all depends which Quins turns up, if they click (which is more likely at home), I can see them turning this chiefs side over. Typically chiefs turn to their pack to win these games, but they're missing a lot of bulk (even with Ewers back). Could be an interesting one.
Warriors vs Bath
Warriors win would be nice. A warriors win virtually kills off Bristols chances of survival (not completely but I doubt they'll be hopeful), and increases our chance of facing tigers in a home semi, not only an awesome crowd, but a game I suspect we could more easily win as big game players come back in for Bath. What do I think will happen? I reckon Warriors could take this, with Hooguaard (sp?) fit, they're a different and much more dangerous side.
Tigers vs Falcons
I think Tigers take this, Falcons are looking better and better, but like most growing sides, are far better at home than away, and Welford road is a tough old place.
Glaws vs Sharks
Tough one to call, very tough. Both teams are dangerous when playing well, but will they play well? Huge game for Glaws to try and push on to top 6.
Bristol vs Wasps
Bristol scored against Exeter, they'll be able to score against us. I suspect we'll see another high scoring affair, hopefully with us scoring more than them! 5 points for us, 1 or 2 for them I guess. What I'd like to see from us is a bit more accuracy, and better aggressive defence.
Saints vs Sarries
Another one where we know who we want to win. Sarries resting a few, but I don't see Saints winning this. There's a huge difference between scoring against Wasps and scoring against Sarries. And Sarries attack has been looking better and better. Would love for a Saints win, especially if we can combine it with a win against Bristol, since top 2 will be virtually guaranteed by then. Saints also chasing top 6, and still not out of top 4.
OK, so we all know how we'd like this one to go. Chiefs also missing/resting a number of players. For me it all depends which Quins turns up, if they click (which is more likely at home), I can see them turning this chiefs side over. Typically chiefs turn to their pack to win these games, but they're missing a lot of bulk (even with Ewers back). Could be an interesting one.
Warriors vs Bath
Warriors win would be nice. A warriors win virtually kills off Bristols chances of survival (not completely but I doubt they'll be hopeful), and increases our chance of facing tigers in a home semi, not only an awesome crowd, but a game I suspect we could more easily win as big game players come back in for Bath. What do I think will happen? I reckon Warriors could take this, with Hooguaard (sp?) fit, they're a different and much more dangerous side.
Tigers vs Falcons
I think Tigers take this, Falcons are looking better and better, but like most growing sides, are far better at home than away, and Welford road is a tough old place.
Glaws vs Sharks
Tough one to call, very tough. Both teams are dangerous when playing well, but will they play well? Huge game for Glaws to try and push on to top 6.
Bristol vs Wasps
Bristol scored against Exeter, they'll be able to score against us. I suspect we'll see another high scoring affair, hopefully with us scoring more than them! 5 points for us, 1 or 2 for them I guess. What I'd like to see from us is a bit more accuracy, and better aggressive defence.
Saints vs Sarries
Another one where we know who we want to win. Sarries resting a few, but I don't see Saints winning this. There's a huge difference between scoring against Wasps and scoring against Sarries. And Sarries attack has been looking better and better. Would love for a Saints win, especially if we can combine it with a win against Bristol, since top 2 will be virtually guaranteed by then. Saints also chasing top 6, and still not out of top 4.
80
Wasps Rugby Discussion / Ridiculously long analysis of the Saints game.
« on: April 13, 2017, 07:19:59 PM »
Posting here as well:
Firstly VV, if we need an article, and you can just convert this, go ahead, but I wanted to post it before the teams were up for the next game!
Prologue.
I said I'd go through this game again in the pre-match thread. I've actually seen it 3 times now. Live, concentrating on rucks, and concentrating on general play. There's a bit of mixing, so if some text refers to later events, the original came from the ruck marks, the latter from the general play watch through with those notes added later. Ruck marks are a way of scoring breakdown work, that was first suggested by the demented mole blog, on the lions tour. In short it's a way of measuring how effective a player is in a breakdown. I've only concentrated on the forwards, since it takes less time, and it's generally more important. Brief breakdown of scoring: Present 1, Guard 2, Hit 3, Decisive 4, Turnover 5. You can read more about it on the demented moles blog.
Saints supporters (SaintEd winking smiley ) yes, this is focusing on Wasps, because it's written by a Wasps supporter, wanting to focus on Wasps players, and hence may ignore things you think Saints did well, and probably one eyed in places. Please feel free to do the same for Saints, I'd be very interested in reading it (Picamoles especially in terms of ruck marks).
Kickoff. A bit too long, who knows what's going on with the wind, Mallinder clears the ball with a huge kick in the other direction.
1.02 Defensive ruck, 2 points to Young.
1.47 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2, Mullan 2, Launch 2, Swainston 2, Myall 1.
2.37 Poor kick from Simpson, not enough length and out on the full. Wind?
3.10 CMK gives advantage for early engagement, close call, especially since the Northampton blocker were clearly blocking access to the ball carrier when he landed. Launch disrupts the maul nicely, back to the penalty. Good maul defence overall.
5.44 Defensive ruck, Swainston 3.
5.47 Defensive ruck, Taylor 2, Thompson 3.
Seem to be running at half pace in defence, not gunning it, just trying to get to the advantage line. Issue is, our tackling is then normally passive, giving up ground.
6.52 Defensive ruck Thompson 2.
7.05 Kicked out on the full by WLR. Poor kick for me.
10.30 Amazed so much time has gone by and we've barely touched the ball. A poor lineout to attack from, and then defensive clearing plays. Highlighted this time because AJ was lucky not to give away a stupid penalty 15m into our half. Clearly changes his line to take out Mallinder chasing his own kick.
11.25 Attacking ruck. Johnson 3, Thompson 2.
11.33 Attacking ruck. Launch 2, Young 3.
11.38. That was an awful intercept from Gopperth. Foden was stood in that spot for a good second, and hadn't sprinted up or anything. It didn't even cause him to stretch up, it was head height. Then very lucky North chose to keep the restart in.
11.39 2 phases or so into our first genuine attacking chance, and possession for more than a phase that I can remember, and Gopps passes an awful intercept to Foden. Foden was stood in that spot for a good second, and hadn't sprinted up or anything. It didn't even cause him to stretch up, it was head height. Up until now we've just been under pressure, but only conceded 2 penalties and 3 points. This was our 2nd attacking chance (first Daly was stripped from poor lineout ball), and we gave 5 points up. Gops is then very lucky North chose to keep the restart in.
14.28 Attacking ruck. Mullan 3. Johnson 1.
14.34 Attacking ruck. Taylor 4, Swainston 2
14.40 Attacking ruck. Launch 3. Myall 3.
14.41m Assume Gopps calls for it from Taylor, but then pauses, and just takes into contact. The defensive line had pushed up, but there were 3 men deep that could have made some real damage, especially with the 2 front line players being there to support. Loses us a decent amount of territory. This may be a ruck out of place in the timeline.
14.48 Attacking ruck. Taylor 3. Thompson 3.
15.49. How did CMK not look at that again? Really looks like AJ punches Picamoles in the face.
16.06. Attacking ruck. Young 2. Taylor 2.
16.15. Attacking ruck Thompson 3. Swainston 3.
16.20. Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2.
16.25. What was Mallinder doing? Sees Daly running that great line, plants his feet and leans the other way. Great footwork from Daly, and superb acceleration.
17.50. Very poor restart from us, very very poor.
18.08. Great rip by AJ on Picamoles, that's the way to get one back on him.
18.14. Attacking ruck. Myall 3.
18.30 Attacking ruck. Young 2.
18.31 Just noticed from a lot of crowd yelling that this is likely one of those times people feel Saints were offside. Simpson does a dummy at the ruck here. Mention it later (this is another rewatch), but I don't blame CMK for not caring for offsides when Simpson is illegally dummying himself.
18.50 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Myall 1.
19.30. Defensive ruck. Thompson 3. Launch 3.
20.48 Was that not a double movement from Dickson? Tackled, tackler never lost contact, and just gets back up?
20.52 Northampton have had 2 phases, made 10 meters, and are still in possession, a poor pass from the acting scrum half leads to them knocking on and we go all the way back to a northampton scrum. I guess they should have got it from Dicksons double movement anyway.
About 1/4 of the way through. Lots of not so good kicking from both sides. Feels like we're losing the territory battle for the most part. Maul defence is looking solid, as is the scrum.
21.47 Noted later I believe that AJ was at 8, this time he's at 6 for a defensive scrum.
22.05 Defensive ruck. Young 2.
22.11. Defensive ruck. Johnson 2. Thompson 3. Swainston 1.
22.20 Defensive ruck. Myall 3. Swainston 2. AJ 3 (but he gives away a penalty, debated not giving ruck marks here, but effort is there), penalty advantage goes to nothing anyway as they score.
22.30 Defensive ruck. Thompson 3. Mullan 2. What is Wade doing there? It's not the first time I've mentioned him getting sucked into rucks needlessly. He's acheiving nothing, but left his wing completely open. Is he going to stop a forward charging from the base? No, so don't be the pillar, and maybe you can hit Waller hard enough to slow him down for others.
24.20 Another poor restart, far too long. Is kicking to North (this is the second time) really smart? He's not a liability under the high ball, and unless the distance is spot on, he'll punish us.
24.32 Defensive ruck. Taylor 1.
25 Really feels like we've only had perhaps 3 attacking positions, and once of them comes through so quickly to a try, that we've not had much ball. Now we have a scrum in their half.
25.58 Saints get us in the scrum, and Thompson appears to knock on at the base, missed by CMK thankfully.
26 Good run of service from Simpson. Because we're going forwards we get an offside call. But again, within 3-5 phases we've got points. We don't hold the ball for long periods because we either screw it up within 5 phases or score.
26.04. Attacking ruck. Johnson 4. Young 2, Myall 2.
26.10. Attacking ruck. Taylor 1. Mullan 2.
26.17. Attacking ruck, Swainston 1.
26.22 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2.
28.15 Attacking ruck. Taylor 1. Mullan 2.
29.52 Attacking ruck. Thompson 1. Why didn't Simpson get this away quickly? Good front foot ball, clearly available. Johnson offering himself on a hard line. 5 Saints offside. Great chance to punch forwards again, got Thompson in close support, and gives the backs time to align. Hands on the ball at 29.53, Johnson at pace at 29.54. Passes to a static Johnson at 29.59. Quick ball is 2 seconds or under for a ruck, this was miles off.
30.03 Attacking ruck. Young 3. Myall 3. Mullan 1. Launch 1. Another poor box kick from Simpson, barely any ground made, just about into Saints half. We had a good scrum, made good yards on the front foot, and end up kicking the ball away and barely making halfway, fortunately get it back. By now in my mind, poor kicks are just poor kicks, you know it's windy.
30.20 Attacking ruck. Launch 4. Thompson 2.
30.30ish. Wade in touch (a toe), not enough and fast enough (and far enough) to not be noticed. For me this is like the slight forward pass you sometimes get from a huge break at the end, being missed. It's earned due to fast play. To those suggesting it should have been TMO'd it's not foul play and can't be.
30.42 Defensive ruck. Young 2.
32.30 Another bad restart, but also a bad call from CMK calling the knock on. Attacking ruck. Taylor 2, Launch 2. Not sure if that came from the sidelines.
33.14 Saints scrum. Wonder how long this has been going on. AJ is packing down at 8. Probably because we want Young/Thompson as the break away defenders.
33.45. Have to say, I think we should go with Thompson in place of Young for the next few games. Young has seemed quiet. Perhaps ruck marks will change my mind.
34.14. Attacking ruck. Johnson 2. Swainston 2. Calls for offside from the crowd, but CMK correctly calls tackle only, can't say I've noticed much offside otherwise, but it's not always clear from angles.
34.26 Attacking ruck. Launch 2.
34.34 Attacking ruck. Thompson 3. Launch 2. Young 2.
34.41 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2. Anyone complaining about Mallinders penalty needs to watch it again. Hands clearly on the floor when Young creates a ruck, Mullan gets there too, then he picks up the ball. Suggesting this is similar to the Launch one later is ludicrous.
36.05. I know Gopps is a good kicker, and I know the team think so too. But why is no one chasing that? Half the players have turned around to walk back!
36.54 Attacking ruck. AJ 3. Thompson 2.
36.58. Attacking ruck. AJ 2. Swainston 3. Thompson 2. Launch 2.
37.04 Attacking ruck. Myall 3. Mullan 2.
37.11 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2.
37.14 Beale kicks through. Unlucky with the bounce I guess, but not the best kick through. Doesn't look an awful decision though, but it's speculative, he could have stepped back in. The counter attack leads to quick ball, our defence doesn't sort itself. Saints score with North. High challenge from WLR, but it's not a penalty restart, offence happens before the ball goes dead, advantage, try scored, advantage over. Normal restart. Suspect there was a forward pass in the build up, but two phases go by anyway, so CMK can't go back to check. Advantage of playing fast rugby is you get away with some of these, we certainly have.
39.45ish. Restart is again a bit too long. No more excuses with the wind.
39.54. Defensive ruck. Young 3. Great then to setup a choke tackle, we rip the ball, and knock it on (knock on by young).
Second half.
40. For some reason Saints go longer and more or less unchallenged. Myall still fluffs his lines.
40.15 Attacking ruck. Launch 2, Mullan 2 , Thompson 2
40.32 Young 2, Myall 2, Thompson 2, Taylor 1, Mullan 1
41.35ish. That is not a trip Austin. Daly clearly grabs and pulls Foden down by the arm, perhaps their legs collide, but Daly's legs always seem to be behind Foden when I'm trying to watch it.
42.13 No way Myler is onside at that scrum, the rest are close. Haven't checked the rest, but probably common for both sides.
42.30. Lovely pass to AJ from Launch, running a great line and a great offload. Really impressive scramble defensve from Saints.
42.42 Attacking ruck, Myall 3, Thompson 2.
43.00 Attacking ruck. Launch 3, Mullan 3.
43.10 Magic from Wade. Some people saying it was a lucky bounce, but Wade had already burned North, and North was falling over before the weird bounce even happened. Wade was going to be first to the ball no matter what, if anything the bounce made it harder, since he had to change direction again to take it. Scrum to score in just 4 rucks.
44.30 Another screwed up restart, just beaten in the air, we need to load up at the front a bit more if we're going to be losing these.
44.46 Defensive ruck. Taylor 2.
44.55 Defensive ruck. Johnson 2.
45 AJ comes off. Seems to be walking quite freely, I suspect it's just a precaution, and he stayed on the last few minutes just to give Hughes time to warm up.
46.05 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2. Young 2.
46.30 Missed kick to touch. Not even close, 5m off, and the wind seem to help pull it closer to the line towards the end.
46.45 Great take from Hughes there. Attacking ruck. Taylor 3. Launch 2. Mullan 1.
47 That was a good decision from Beale (lovely line for the break), good kick, Wade was ahead too, better bounce would have been another try.
47.44 Defensive ruck. Swainston 1.
48 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Taylor 2. Swainston 1.
48.12 Attacking ruck. Myall 3.
48.16 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2, Taylor 2.
48.24 Attacking ruck. Hughes 2. Myall 3. Taylor 2.
48.28 More calls offside from the crowd, Simpson has clearly picked it up before the defence comes up.
48.31 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Thompson 2.
48.50. Lovely inside pass from WLR to Daly. Superb sheparding defence from Saints to kill that attack.
50.19 Attacking ruck. Young 3. Launch 2. Saints offside at this one, not given.
50.26 Attackig ruck. Thompson 2. Mullan 2. Taylor 2.
50.31 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Myall 2. Swainston 2.
50.39 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Simpson takes an age to work this one out. If we're not doing forwards pick and go from the ruck, the one out passes have to been done quickly, otherwise the defence is set and we're going to lose ground. Guess what, we lose 2m.
50.45 Simpson dummies again at one of these rucks. I think I saw it before too, but trickier camera angle. It's a bugbear of mine, and I do actually want it to be penalised, but I'm certainly not going to complain about offsides whilst he does it. He does it again in the next ruck or two (mentioned in text)
50.48 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Swainston 2. Simpson dummies from the ruck, CMK fortunately just tells him he can't dummy, rather than penalising him as he should have done.
50.57 Attacking ruck. Mullan 2, Swainston 2. We then try the pick and go, but we're not great at it.
51.02 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Launch 2.
51.09 Attacking ruck. Swainston 2. Nice from Simpson to spot the space on the blindside and strike.
53.05 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Swainston 2.
53.10 Great run from Hughes, powering through. Wonder if he just needed to come back into playing slowly after his break, has looked very hungry.
53.13 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Taylor 2. Swainston 1. Myall 1.
53.20 Maybe Robson is just luckier with the wind, perfect bounce inside the pitch and off.
54.13 Defensive ruck. Hughes 1 (he's sort of standing there and someone grabs him, so he helpfully sticks his boot in the way of the ball, worth a 1)
54.20 Defensive ruck. Young 3.
54.35. When I first saw this penalty I thought it was very harsh, now it's fair enough. Hughes backs into Saints territory, had he not been shoved over and hit the ball with his feet, he'd have gotten away with it, but the moment he impacts play like that CMK had no choice.
55.17 Receiver well and truly shielded by his lifters again. Probably happens when Wasps successfully maul too, but still annoying, mostly as our lineout has been poor off the top ball.
55.20 First ruck we've struggled with. But we stay legal well, and personally I think should have got a use it call earlier. Even stop a good breakaway maul. Unlucky that they get it clear I reckon.
55.46 Defensive ruck. Young 3.
55.58 Defensive ruck. Thompson 1.
56.03 Defensive ruck. Myall 1.
56.13 Defensive ruck. Hughes 2. Taylor 1.
56.20 Defensive ruck. Mullan 3. Thompson 1.
56.25 Defensive ruck. Thompson 1.
56.30 Defensive ruck. Young 1. Hughes 1.
56.40 Lucky that no Saints player seems to realise they just need to touch the base of the post to score. Great defence to keep them out.
56.44 Defensive ruck. Taylor 1.
56.50. Defesnive ruck. Hughes 1.
56.54 Defeensive ruck. Hughes 2. Thompson 1.
57.02. Defesnive ruck. Myall 1. Thompson 1.
Firstly VV, if we need an article, and you can just convert this, go ahead, but I wanted to post it before the teams were up for the next game!
Prologue.
I said I'd go through this game again in the pre-match thread. I've actually seen it 3 times now. Live, concentrating on rucks, and concentrating on general play. There's a bit of mixing, so if some text refers to later events, the original came from the ruck marks, the latter from the general play watch through with those notes added later. Ruck marks are a way of scoring breakdown work, that was first suggested by the demented mole blog, on the lions tour. In short it's a way of measuring how effective a player is in a breakdown. I've only concentrated on the forwards, since it takes less time, and it's generally more important. Brief breakdown of scoring: Present 1, Guard 2, Hit 3, Decisive 4, Turnover 5. You can read more about it on the demented moles blog.
Saints supporters (SaintEd winking smiley ) yes, this is focusing on Wasps, because it's written by a Wasps supporter, wanting to focus on Wasps players, and hence may ignore things you think Saints did well, and probably one eyed in places. Please feel free to do the same for Saints, I'd be very interested in reading it (Picamoles especially in terms of ruck marks).
Kickoff. A bit too long, who knows what's going on with the wind, Mallinder clears the ball with a huge kick in the other direction.
1.02 Defensive ruck, 2 points to Young.
1.47 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2, Mullan 2, Launch 2, Swainston 2, Myall 1.
2.37 Poor kick from Simpson, not enough length and out on the full. Wind?
3.10 CMK gives advantage for early engagement, close call, especially since the Northampton blocker were clearly blocking access to the ball carrier when he landed. Launch disrupts the maul nicely, back to the penalty. Good maul defence overall.
5.44 Defensive ruck, Swainston 3.
5.47 Defensive ruck, Taylor 2, Thompson 3.
Seem to be running at half pace in defence, not gunning it, just trying to get to the advantage line. Issue is, our tackling is then normally passive, giving up ground.
6.52 Defensive ruck Thompson 2.
7.05 Kicked out on the full by WLR. Poor kick for me.
10.30 Amazed so much time has gone by and we've barely touched the ball. A poor lineout to attack from, and then defensive clearing plays. Highlighted this time because AJ was lucky not to give away a stupid penalty 15m into our half. Clearly changes his line to take out Mallinder chasing his own kick.
11.25 Attacking ruck. Johnson 3, Thompson 2.
11.33 Attacking ruck. Launch 2, Young 3.
11.38. That was an awful intercept from Gopperth. Foden was stood in that spot for a good second, and hadn't sprinted up or anything. It didn't even cause him to stretch up, it was head height. Then very lucky North chose to keep the restart in.
11.39 2 phases or so into our first genuine attacking chance, and possession for more than a phase that I can remember, and Gopps passes an awful intercept to Foden. Foden was stood in that spot for a good second, and hadn't sprinted up or anything. It didn't even cause him to stretch up, it was head height. Up until now we've just been under pressure, but only conceded 2 penalties and 3 points. This was our 2nd attacking chance (first Daly was stripped from poor lineout ball), and we gave 5 points up. Gops is then very lucky North chose to keep the restart in.
14.28 Attacking ruck. Mullan 3. Johnson 1.
14.34 Attacking ruck. Taylor 4, Swainston 2
14.40 Attacking ruck. Launch 3. Myall 3.
14.41m Assume Gopps calls for it from Taylor, but then pauses, and just takes into contact. The defensive line had pushed up, but there were 3 men deep that could have made some real damage, especially with the 2 front line players being there to support. Loses us a decent amount of territory. This may be a ruck out of place in the timeline.
14.48 Attacking ruck. Taylor 3. Thompson 3.
15.49. How did CMK not look at that again? Really looks like AJ punches Picamoles in the face.
16.06. Attacking ruck. Young 2. Taylor 2.
16.15. Attacking ruck Thompson 3. Swainston 3.
16.20. Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2.
16.25. What was Mallinder doing? Sees Daly running that great line, plants his feet and leans the other way. Great footwork from Daly, and superb acceleration.
17.50. Very poor restart from us, very very poor.
18.08. Great rip by AJ on Picamoles, that's the way to get one back on him.
18.14. Attacking ruck. Myall 3.
18.30 Attacking ruck. Young 2.
18.31 Just noticed from a lot of crowd yelling that this is likely one of those times people feel Saints were offside. Simpson does a dummy at the ruck here. Mention it later (this is another rewatch), but I don't blame CMK for not caring for offsides when Simpson is illegally dummying himself.
18.50 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Myall 1.
19.30. Defensive ruck. Thompson 3. Launch 3.
20.48 Was that not a double movement from Dickson? Tackled, tackler never lost contact, and just gets back up?
20.52 Northampton have had 2 phases, made 10 meters, and are still in possession, a poor pass from the acting scrum half leads to them knocking on and we go all the way back to a northampton scrum. I guess they should have got it from Dicksons double movement anyway.
About 1/4 of the way through. Lots of not so good kicking from both sides. Feels like we're losing the territory battle for the most part. Maul defence is looking solid, as is the scrum.
21.47 Noted later I believe that AJ was at 8, this time he's at 6 for a defensive scrum.
22.05 Defensive ruck. Young 2.
22.11. Defensive ruck. Johnson 2. Thompson 3. Swainston 1.
22.20 Defensive ruck. Myall 3. Swainston 2. AJ 3 (but he gives away a penalty, debated not giving ruck marks here, but effort is there), penalty advantage goes to nothing anyway as they score.
22.30 Defensive ruck. Thompson 3. Mullan 2. What is Wade doing there? It's not the first time I've mentioned him getting sucked into rucks needlessly. He's acheiving nothing, but left his wing completely open. Is he going to stop a forward charging from the base? No, so don't be the pillar, and maybe you can hit Waller hard enough to slow him down for others.
24.20 Another poor restart, far too long. Is kicking to North (this is the second time) really smart? He's not a liability under the high ball, and unless the distance is spot on, he'll punish us.
24.32 Defensive ruck. Taylor 1.
25 Really feels like we've only had perhaps 3 attacking positions, and once of them comes through so quickly to a try, that we've not had much ball. Now we have a scrum in their half.
25.58 Saints get us in the scrum, and Thompson appears to knock on at the base, missed by CMK thankfully.
26 Good run of service from Simpson. Because we're going forwards we get an offside call. But again, within 3-5 phases we've got points. We don't hold the ball for long periods because we either screw it up within 5 phases or score.
26.04. Attacking ruck. Johnson 4. Young 2, Myall 2.
26.10. Attacking ruck. Taylor 1. Mullan 2.
26.17. Attacking ruck, Swainston 1.
26.22 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2.
28.15 Attacking ruck. Taylor 1. Mullan 2.
29.52 Attacking ruck. Thompson 1. Why didn't Simpson get this away quickly? Good front foot ball, clearly available. Johnson offering himself on a hard line. 5 Saints offside. Great chance to punch forwards again, got Thompson in close support, and gives the backs time to align. Hands on the ball at 29.53, Johnson at pace at 29.54. Passes to a static Johnson at 29.59. Quick ball is 2 seconds or under for a ruck, this was miles off.
30.03 Attacking ruck. Young 3. Myall 3. Mullan 1. Launch 1. Another poor box kick from Simpson, barely any ground made, just about into Saints half. We had a good scrum, made good yards on the front foot, and end up kicking the ball away and barely making halfway, fortunately get it back. By now in my mind, poor kicks are just poor kicks, you know it's windy.
30.20 Attacking ruck. Launch 4. Thompson 2.
30.30ish. Wade in touch (a toe), not enough and fast enough (and far enough) to not be noticed. For me this is like the slight forward pass you sometimes get from a huge break at the end, being missed. It's earned due to fast play. To those suggesting it should have been TMO'd it's not foul play and can't be.
30.42 Defensive ruck. Young 2.
32.30 Another bad restart, but also a bad call from CMK calling the knock on. Attacking ruck. Taylor 2, Launch 2. Not sure if that came from the sidelines.
33.14 Saints scrum. Wonder how long this has been going on. AJ is packing down at 8. Probably because we want Young/Thompson as the break away defenders.
33.45. Have to say, I think we should go with Thompson in place of Young for the next few games. Young has seemed quiet. Perhaps ruck marks will change my mind.
34.14. Attacking ruck. Johnson 2. Swainston 2. Calls for offside from the crowd, but CMK correctly calls tackle only, can't say I've noticed much offside otherwise, but it's not always clear from angles.
34.26 Attacking ruck. Launch 2.
34.34 Attacking ruck. Thompson 3. Launch 2. Young 2.
34.41 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Mullan 2. Anyone complaining about Mallinders penalty needs to watch it again. Hands clearly on the floor when Young creates a ruck, Mullan gets there too, then he picks up the ball. Suggesting this is similar to the Launch one later is ludicrous.
36.05. I know Gopps is a good kicker, and I know the team think so too. But why is no one chasing that? Half the players have turned around to walk back!
36.54 Attacking ruck. AJ 3. Thompson 2.
36.58. Attacking ruck. AJ 2. Swainston 3. Thompson 2. Launch 2.
37.04 Attacking ruck. Myall 3. Mullan 2.
37.11 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2.
37.14 Beale kicks through. Unlucky with the bounce I guess, but not the best kick through. Doesn't look an awful decision though, but it's speculative, he could have stepped back in. The counter attack leads to quick ball, our defence doesn't sort itself. Saints score with North. High challenge from WLR, but it's not a penalty restart, offence happens before the ball goes dead, advantage, try scored, advantage over. Normal restart. Suspect there was a forward pass in the build up, but two phases go by anyway, so CMK can't go back to check. Advantage of playing fast rugby is you get away with some of these, we certainly have.
39.45ish. Restart is again a bit too long. No more excuses with the wind.
39.54. Defensive ruck. Young 3. Great then to setup a choke tackle, we rip the ball, and knock it on (knock on by young).
Second half.
40. For some reason Saints go longer and more or less unchallenged. Myall still fluffs his lines.
40.15 Attacking ruck. Launch 2, Mullan 2 , Thompson 2
40.32 Young 2, Myall 2, Thompson 2, Taylor 1, Mullan 1
41.35ish. That is not a trip Austin. Daly clearly grabs and pulls Foden down by the arm, perhaps their legs collide, but Daly's legs always seem to be behind Foden when I'm trying to watch it.
42.13 No way Myler is onside at that scrum, the rest are close. Haven't checked the rest, but probably common for both sides.
42.30. Lovely pass to AJ from Launch, running a great line and a great offload. Really impressive scramble defensve from Saints.
42.42 Attacking ruck, Myall 3, Thompson 2.
43.00 Attacking ruck. Launch 3, Mullan 3.
43.10 Magic from Wade. Some people saying it was a lucky bounce, but Wade had already burned North, and North was falling over before the weird bounce even happened. Wade was going to be first to the ball no matter what, if anything the bounce made it harder, since he had to change direction again to take it. Scrum to score in just 4 rucks.
44.30 Another screwed up restart, just beaten in the air, we need to load up at the front a bit more if we're going to be losing these.
44.46 Defensive ruck. Taylor 2.
44.55 Defensive ruck. Johnson 2.
45 AJ comes off. Seems to be walking quite freely, I suspect it's just a precaution, and he stayed on the last few minutes just to give Hughes time to warm up.
46.05 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2. Young 2.
46.30 Missed kick to touch. Not even close, 5m off, and the wind seem to help pull it closer to the line towards the end.
46.45 Great take from Hughes there. Attacking ruck. Taylor 3. Launch 2. Mullan 1.
47 That was a good decision from Beale (lovely line for the break), good kick, Wade was ahead too, better bounce would have been another try.
47.44 Defensive ruck. Swainston 1.
48 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Taylor 2. Swainston 1.
48.12 Attacking ruck. Myall 3.
48.16 Attacking ruck. Thompson 2, Taylor 2.
48.24 Attacking ruck. Hughes 2. Myall 3. Taylor 2.
48.28 More calls offside from the crowd, Simpson has clearly picked it up before the defence comes up.
48.31 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Thompson 2.
48.50. Lovely inside pass from WLR to Daly. Superb sheparding defence from Saints to kill that attack.
50.19 Attacking ruck. Young 3. Launch 2. Saints offside at this one, not given.
50.26 Attackig ruck. Thompson 2. Mullan 2. Taylor 2.
50.31 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Myall 2. Swainston 2.
50.39 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Simpson takes an age to work this one out. If we're not doing forwards pick and go from the ruck, the one out passes have to been done quickly, otherwise the defence is set and we're going to lose ground. Guess what, we lose 2m.
50.45 Simpson dummies again at one of these rucks. I think I saw it before too, but trickier camera angle. It's a bugbear of mine, and I do actually want it to be penalised, but I'm certainly not going to complain about offsides whilst he does it. He does it again in the next ruck or two (mentioned in text)
50.48 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Swainston 2. Simpson dummies from the ruck, CMK fortunately just tells him he can't dummy, rather than penalising him as he should have done.
50.57 Attacking ruck. Mullan 2, Swainston 2. We then try the pick and go, but we're not great at it.
51.02 Attacking ruck. Taylor 2. Launch 2.
51.09 Attacking ruck. Swainston 2. Nice from Simpson to spot the space on the blindside and strike.
53.05 Attacking ruck. Young 2. Swainston 2.
53.10 Great run from Hughes, powering through. Wonder if he just needed to come back into playing slowly after his break, has looked very hungry.
53.13 Attacking ruck. Launch 2. Taylor 2. Swainston 1. Myall 1.
53.20 Maybe Robson is just luckier with the wind, perfect bounce inside the pitch and off.
54.13 Defensive ruck. Hughes 1 (he's sort of standing there and someone grabs him, so he helpfully sticks his boot in the way of the ball, worth a 1)
54.20 Defensive ruck. Young 3.
54.35. When I first saw this penalty I thought it was very harsh, now it's fair enough. Hughes backs into Saints territory, had he not been shoved over and hit the ball with his feet, he'd have gotten away with it, but the moment he impacts play like that CMK had no choice.
55.17 Receiver well and truly shielded by his lifters again. Probably happens when Wasps successfully maul too, but still annoying, mostly as our lineout has been poor off the top ball.
55.20 First ruck we've struggled with. But we stay legal well, and personally I think should have got a use it call earlier. Even stop a good breakaway maul. Unlucky that they get it clear I reckon.
55.46 Defensive ruck. Young 3.
55.58 Defensive ruck. Thompson 1.
56.03 Defensive ruck. Myall 1.
56.13 Defensive ruck. Hughes 2. Taylor 1.
56.20 Defensive ruck. Mullan 3. Thompson 1.
56.25 Defensive ruck. Thompson 1.
56.30 Defensive ruck. Young 1. Hughes 1.
56.40 Lucky that no Saints player seems to realise they just need to touch the base of the post to score. Great defence to keep them out.
56.44 Defensive ruck. Taylor 1.
56.50. Defesnive ruck. Hughes 1.
56.54 Defeensive ruck. Hughes 2. Thompson 1.
57.02. Defesnive ruck. Myall 1. Thompson 1.