Bonus Points and the Bittersweet: Wasps' Latest Chapter
Very few things in life are straightforward. There can be no juice without squeeze, and cranking up the brightness sometimes only enhances the shadows. That’s certainly the case in sport: for one competitor to triumph, another has to lose – and the journeys are never linear. Sport’s not that simple, and it’s perfectly possible for moments of joy to exist within an overarching narrative of struggle. More often than not – its storylines are bittersweet.
The final fixture of an eventful Round 13 was a prime example of this – a Sunday afternoon dappled with both fairy tale and foreboding. Wasps did something amazing: putting 28 on Worcester Warriors – their highest score of the season so far, and one bringing up their first points in the table. Helene Caux’s opportunistic bonus point try was celebrated as though it were a match winner down on the pitch, as Katy Daley-Mclean and I beamed at one another up in the little roof-mounted garden shed which serves as Sixways’ commentary gantry. That one was special.
And yet, as Wasps savoured their moment of magic, a concurrent plot played out. Yes – they had de-bagelled themselves in the standings – but they were also en route to shipping nine tries, and finding themselves with just five matches left in the Premier 15s.
Their Head Coach, LJ Lewis, is days away from giving birth – despite having remained so hands-on that she was scaling ladders for a bird’s eye view of training as recently as last week – and so wasn’t in Worcester on Sunday. She deserved to witness each of those four tries first-hand, having worked tirelessly to sustain their campaign and very existence since taking over from Giselle Mather in July, but how exciting that there’s a tiny new Premier 15s fan on the way – perhaps even a Red Rose in the making…
We spoke in the week, though, and she explained how her last few months have involved balancing coaching and administrative duties with supporting a squad preparing for very different rugby futures. To all intents and purposes, ‘there is no team next season’ – and so she’s been helping each individual figure out next moves – whether that’s playing Championship rugby, signing for another Premier 15s club, or retiring from the game entirely.
Richard Green, Wasps FC Chairman, is determined to keep women’s rugby at the club – even only in an amateur capacity – and perhaps we’ll see the women in black and gold swarming back towards the sport’s top table one day. ‘The book’s not closed’, Lewis said: they might not be in the Premier 15s for a little while, but this is hopefully a ‘see you later’, rather than a ‘goodbye’.
In Round 18, when Bristol head to Twyford Avenue, it’ll be Wasps’ last dance for some time – and there are plans to get as many former players and supporters along as possible – to celebrate what has been, as well as what could be. It’ll be an emotional occasion, and – if you can’t get yourself to the ALPAS Arena on June 3rd – get yourself to West London.
(On the subject of Bears: where have they come from? Their clash with Harlequins this weekend has suddenly become as fascinating as it is must-win: they’ve got Exeter and Saracens lurking in Rounds 16 and 17, respectively – but could just about sneak fourth if they can get the job done on Saturday – aka get the ball up Lark Davies’ jumper, or to Grace Crompton, enough…).
Lewis also talked about how much she and her squad were looking forward to facing Worcester: Warriors are a ‘great team’ – as both opponents and people. There’s a real connection there these days, she observed: an affinity forged from their shared experiences over tumultuous seasons. Sian Moore, Worcester’s Attack Coach, concurred: Sunday was the meeting of two sides who’ve had to overcome more than any other, as their wider clubs entered into administration in the Autumn.
The difference in their futures, though, is stark. Worcester’s is secure. They’ve not haemorrhaged players, as Wasps have done. Rather, Jo Yapp’s not only retained – but added to – a core of seriously classy internationals, whilst bringing through some thrilling talent. Abi Kershaw, Evelyn Clarke, Jemima Moss, and Catherine Wells (remember the names) sparkled – and Vicky Laflin is looking more Red Rose-ready by the month. With long-term facilities and finances in place, they’ve been able to re-hire staff, like Team Operations Manager Mike Hall and Physical Performance Coach Ross Walley, and they’ve dispatched Harlequins and Loughborough Lightning already this year.
They’ve had to battle every step of the way, but Warriors’ path through the woods is clear – and their future is bright. Wasps’ fate, meanwhile, is set – and they have 400 minutes of Premier 15s rugby left.
But that’s not the storyline to end on. Not this week. Their focus on Sunday was, according to Lewis, points on the board: avoiding a sixth nilling of the campaign. Better yet, she challenged them, it was adding to their quintet of tries. Mission accomplished – and then some. Four seven-pointers bagged – thanks to Hannah Edwards’ truly excellent boot – almost doubling a season’s tally which had previously totalled just 38.
One for Katie Dougan – on her first start for the club. One for Andrea Stock – who hustled and hustled for eighty minutes. One for Becky Ball – who was immense, and who we wish all the best after what looked a nasty knee injury. None for Gretchen Weiners. And – and most crucially – one for the day’s skipper, Helene Caux, about whom Lewis ‘can’t speak highly enough’. The number eight’s been on a ‘massive journey’ since signing for the club – developing from a forward with heaps of potential to the team’s lineout caller, and now their matchday captain whilst Liz Crake returns from injury – a ‘highly respected’ leader who inspires all those around her with her relentlessly ‘fierce’ action. Amazingly, that 72nd minute bonus point score was Caux’s first ever Premier 15s try – and you can’t imagine she’ll score a more treasured one.
Proud of the team & the performance today – getting the bonus point was pretty emotional ?? https://t.co/Yt1nh968y8
— Helene Cx (@helene_cx) March 5, 2023
Which brings us to the aforementioned Crake. Twyford Avenue’s answer to Ellis Genge, the most dangerous dentist since the premiere of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, and one of the most heartening of Wasps’ narratives of late – having been named as one of nine uncapped players in Simon Middleton’s Six Nations squad. Lewis is both ‘blown away’ by the news, and entirely unsurprised: ‘why wouldn’t you be looking at her?’ She told me all the way back in Round Six that she was hopeful that Crake would receive a call-up, and had encouraged her to switch from the back row into the front with exactly that in mind. What a story it would be for Wasps’ talismanic skipper to pull on an England jersey this year: after being such an integral and inspirational part of the fabric of this beleaguered club.
Full time on Sunday: Worcester Warriors 55 – 28 Wasps. A loss, but a triumphant one. Bittersweet.
An emphatic beating taken all the way back down the M40 – with just five matches remaining in what’s been a tough, tough season – and the end of their time in the league looming large.
But, equally, their best performance of the campaign, the latest lesson in their masterclass in resilience, a precious and proud point in the standings, and the prospect of Crake running riot with a Rose on her chest. Wasps’ story is full of contrasts – but we’ll remember this weekend as one of the brightest chapters.
Comments on RugbyPass
The rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
76 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
9 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
9 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to comments