Match Thread

[InBetweenWasp]

So are we all supporting Glasgow tonight? We’re a higher seed than them, so think I’m right in saying that if they win we get a ‘home’ semi: In the UK, but neutral ground. 

Wonder where Lyon will choose to play theirs if they win.  Lille would be handy! (Maybe not if you’re a Lyon fan)

[Shugs]

In amongst the chaos that’s a really good point. Isn’t that 7 wins and a draw in the last 8?

[Laterontoday]

A game that could have gone either way right to the final whistle. Not sure the ref will get a good review  from that game. How was that not a penalty try in the second half. No different to Joe pulling down the maul on the line last week. Clear knock in build up to one of our tries and I too thought deliberate knock on right at the end.

On field management just isn’t right. I like Joe and we are a better side with him in it but he doesn’t seem to have the Captaincy respect needed. The free kick incidence in the first half is a good example. Why do that when we had complete scrum dominance.

Cracking game by the forwards but where has the classic wasps attacking backs game gone. As someone else said did Josh or Hooligan get a decent pass in the whole game. Porter tried to screw it up again and Dan had moments of genius but some real brain farts as well.

A win is a win in knock rugby and on to next weekend. Come on your Waps.

[Chunky24]

So are we all supporting Glasgow tonight? We’re a higher seed than them, so think I’m right in saying that if they win we get a ‘home’ semi: In the UK, but neutral ground. 

Wonder where Lyon will choose to play theirs if they win.  Lille would be handy! (Maybe not if you’re a Lyon fan)

Thought it was just home advantage this year not neutral ground "home"

[Laterontoday]

So are we all supporting Glasgow tonight? We’re a higher seed than them, so think I’m right in saying that if they win we get a ‘home’ semi: In the UK, but neutral ground. 

Wonder where Lyon will choose to play theirs if they win.  Lille would be handy! (Maybe not if you’re a Lyon fan)

I think reading the rules the semi finals are not at neutral grounds. I know the champions cup games are but rules just say for the challenge cup that the team with highest ranking has home advantage. Doesn’t say home country advantage. I may have misread and be wrong but a semi final at the CBS would be huge.

[Chunky24]

So are we all supporting Glasgow tonight? We’re a higher seed than them, so think I’m right in saying that if they win we get a ‘home’ semi: In the UK, but neutral ground. 

Wonder where Lyon will choose to play theirs if they win.  Lille would be handy! (Maybe not if you’re a Lyon fan)

I think reading the rules the semi finals are not at neutral grounds. I know the champions cup games are but rules just say for the challenge cup that the team with highest ranking has home advantage. Doesn’t say home country advantage. I may have misread and be wrong but a semi final at the CBS would be huge.

I think both tournaments are home grounds this year, teams usually have had to declare (and provisionally reserve) their neutral venue by now just in case.

[Garuda]

Well done Wasps. Have to admit though, l was starting to shout at Porter again right at the end! We had to really scrap to see it out.

[wasps]

On field management just isn’t right. I like Joe and we are a better side with him in it but he doesn’t seem to have the Captaincy respect needed. The free kick incidence in the first half is a good example. Why do that when we had complete scrum dominance.

It wasn't really any better when Joe was out injured.


It's all about leadership teams.
Joe and Brad should both be leading regardless of who the official captain is.
Dan, Jimmy and Hougaard should be leading the backs




But, Dan is obviously struggling so shouldn't be expected to lead anything. He just needs to get his game back together.
Jimmy may also be focusing on his own game to ensure he's the best version of himself he can be at his age.




So many individual brain farts over and over again.
Hard to predict that some of them will happen and do something about it in advance..... Especially when we learnt last week that we can't necessarily trust our bench

[WonkyWasp]

I do admire and respect Alfie, but I do wish that T  Willis was playing at 8.  Is it because of pressure exerted  by EJ  wanting Alfie to play 8?

[Neils]

I do admire and respect Alfie, but I do wish that T  Willis was playing at 8.  Is it because of pressure exerted  by EJ  wanting Alfie to play 8?

Who knows but agree Tom is the better 8 but Alfie strangely produces little moments of magic.

[backdoc]

I wonder if both Alfie and Tom try too hard because of the selection issue. They have both made more mistakes than usual in the recent past.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

I wonder if both Alfie and Tom try too hard because of the selection issue. They have both made more mistakes than usual in the recent past.

You might apply that question to the positions of scrum half (Dan vs Will) and fly half (Jacob vs Charlie).

Hopefully, recruiting will resolve 12 and 13, but 14 and 15 still concern me. I am far from convinced with Zach and Marcus. For me, Frannie isn't what we need out at 14, whilst I will admit he is a better choice than Zach, Marcus and Paolo. Ali Crossdale, Luke Mehson and Sam Spink should be looking to step up.

[backdoc]

Alfie and Tom are at similar levels of experience and talent.

Dan and Will Porter are not. Neither are Charlie and Jacob.

[Shugs]

Technically I rank our 8’s as Willis, Carr, Barbeary but it’s obvious Barbeary also brings things the others don’t. I don’t think it needs a solution. We’ll be wringing our hands one week wondering how we keep a fantastic player like Carr happy and find game time for Willis. A couple of knocks later and they might play a string of games. It’s a tough scenario but in reality it’s exactly what you need to be a top team.

[hopwood]

I think it comes down to overall team strategy.

Young and Carr really suit our dynamic running and offloading game.
Alfie and Jack really suit our bosh game.

Tom Willis, for me, suits all types of game.

And Brad Shields is the first player on the team sheet, every week, without any debate.


I’m just not sure what gameplan suits our current crop of players most.
I’m currently confused.