Wasps make full back their number one transfer priority

[Peej]

I imagine Charlie might kick more next season with a bit of extra time for his knee to heal.

[Rossm]

Whilst recognising that Jacob, Crossdale, Meehan and Minozzi have pace & footwork I’m not sure any are dominant under the high ball and sure that none are consistant goal kickers.

Call me pedantic, but his name is actually Mehson.

[NellyWellyWaspy]

Of all the positions on the field, 15 is the one most requiring both an attacking and defensive rugby brain, pinpoint accuracy for long kicks (and to know when not to kick), good closing down tackling skills and the ability to choose the correct path to run a ball back (one that offers the back row the opportunity to support). Jacob has shown over and again that he does not (yet?) have these. I think that the combination of these is what the many we have had in that position in the last 3 or 4 seasons have also lacked (including players like le Roux and Beale). It is what the good full backs we come up against have. Players like Hogg and Goode. Rare players to find, and potential goal kickers to boot.

Many people laud the attacking full backs, but forget these other needed qualities. You have only to watch 'tribute' videos to see full backs who can score tries, but I am not that easily impressed. I have seen no-one in the youth sides/academy who would fulfill this role. Tom Bacon is listed as a full back, but I think he will gravitate to winger.

[wasps]

Jacob playing at 15 could very easily be a tactic to improve his overall game and decision making where he's not in the immediate firing line, and keep him fully match fit.


It's not unheard of for fly halfs to play full back.


With the exception of the red card, he looked pretty good when he started at 15, so that may well have given the coaches the idea to extend the test.








Now, they either want him to focus on 10 and feel that the full back test has run its course.
Or they've maybe decided the test hasn't really worked out and they need another option.


Ultimately, if there's a full back available who is notably better than the other options we have then it's a sensible idea.... Although that is true for every position

[Shugs]

I wouldn’t have minded Mike Brown for a season or two.

[Heathen]

For me the prerequisites for a full back are :

1. Strong tackler 2. Good boot 3. Good under the high ball. 4. Knows when to come into the attacking line.

A lot to ask but the defensive aspects are more critical than the attacking ones.

[Wiltshire Wasp]

I wouldn’t have minded Mike Brown for a season or two.

Plus 1

[JonnyD]

From Bobby’s recent article if Miller, Watson and possibly Minozzi head off then that is a lot of money to find a decent FB.
Mehson and Crossdale can comfortably move to the wing and we have tonnes of academy wingers coming through.
But I think we have to stick with Crossdale. Look how much the likes of Steward and Freeman have improved with the gametime.

[westwaleswasp]

I would be surprised to see Watson, Minozzi, Kiberige head off- because in these tight times, who would want them? Wage wise they won't be academy level wages, there are only 11 other teams, and many are well stocked. OK Minozzi could go home or to France,  I guess Miller might call it a day, of course.
If they are staying, Minozzi is the one who has a much higher ceiling than the others. Something odd is up with the backs generally- Paulo and him are both x factor players and neither can make the starting line up when our backs are not firing. Form, injuries etc. I know, but neither are in the Crossdale position- both should be nailed on.

[Rugbyintheblood]

Given that Lee has come out and admitted FB is our priority, I’m assuming that’s because we have already found and nearly signed him. Otherwise why make the statement now?

Personally, I still reckon Jacob has done very well at FB given his lack of experience there and is the closest thing we’ve got to that annoying but brilliant Goode chap.

But if we have got a world class FB already in the pipeline (like a WLR/Piatau/Beale) then of course let’s have him please.

[Egret]

So, do we want a full back who is a game saver or a game winner?

[Neils]

So, do we want a full back who is a game saver or a game winner?

If we are wishing - then why not BOTH!

[backdoc]

I have a theory that the most experienced member of the coaching team has looked over the squad and picked out those that he feels are not top level Premiership players, and the other coaches have deferred to him. Those players then become deadwood in the squad.

[Wombles]

I have played 15 on many occasions, and even at grass roots, club and university level it is a devilishly difficult position. Get your positioning wrong and the oppo kickers have a field day getting territory and field position. If you are ever so less than confident fielding kick chases and taking big hits (and hearing the stampeding masses coming at you is off putting) or you simply are half a second out either joining the defensive or attacking line it can be costly.

It is why Eddie Jones recent guff about being able to put a player anywhere shows a true lack of understanding from the man, and also equally how specialists in their position are worth their weight in gold!

Umaga, Atkinson, Watson, Kibirige have tried their collective best, but they are not full backs and it shows. I wonder whether the era of a utility back is coming to an end, because put any of them up against a player dedicated to that position and they will be found out time and again. In rugby it is the smallest of fractions that can make the biggest difference, I.e how Kibirige fielded the kick by Lyon near our try line last week, and experienced fullback would of likely positioned themselves better, been aware of where they were in the field of play and importantly the oppo, and would of made better decisions.

We need a specialist fullback as a priority.

[Rossm]

Wombles, wasn't the kick you are referring to Zach messing up his very first touch immediately after coming off the bench? If so, I think you are being a tad harsh, though I do agree with you that Zach is not a 15.