Dai Young: 'We were robbed'
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young was left fuming by some of the refereeing decisions that went against his side in their 19-14 defeat at Leicester, claiming “we were robbed.”
Young felt Wasps should have been celebrating victory at Welford Road, but instead found himself bemoaning several incidents that he believes cost them dearly.
One of those was when Leicester’s Joe Ford, who scored all of his side’s points, went over for a second-half try which was questionably grounded but not reviewed by the officials.
Young also believes that other instances where Wasps had tries disallowed should have been inspected, convinced they would have added to the two stunning first-half efforts from wing Marcus Watson and earned the visitors victory.
The Wasps boss said: “There were some real big moments that swung against us. There were three disallowed tries and you don’t come to Welford Road, get three disallowed tries and win the game.
“That is a game we should have won. We were not happy with the grounding (for Ford’s try) and it was no different to the knock-on he gave against Ben Harris in the pick-and-go situation.”
Wasps battered the Leicester defence in the final quarter of the game as they chased the win, but the Tigers would not let them through until a close-range ruck saw replacement prop Biyi Alo go over.
However, television match official Sean Davey looked at the score, could not see if Alo had put the ball over the line, and so it was ruled out.
You NEVER give Marcus Watson this amount of room ??
Punished. pic.twitter.com/PLFy4bIjDt
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) March 2, 2019
“The break through the middle was never a forward pass and he (Alo) was clearly over at the end. He was at least three yards over the line,” Young added.
“To a man I was pleased today but three disallowed tries are hard to swallow. I cannot feel anything but that we were robbed, to be honest.”
There was also a blow to Wales as Wasps’ international flanker Thomas Young, the director of rugby’s son, came off after just four minutes with a hip injury.
The Wasps boss is not sure whether his son will be ruled out of the remainder of the Six Nations, where Grand Slam-chasing Wales have two games left, but admits it is “touch and go” for next weekend’s trip to Scotland.
“I don’t know,” said the director of rugby when asked if the former Cardiff and Gloucester forward is is out of the tournament.
“It will certainly be touch and go whether he is fit for next weekend but only time will tell.”
In stark contrast to Young, Leicester head coach Geordan Murphy was delighted with his side’s win, especially after losing both scrum-halves, Ben White and Sam Harrison, as well as centre Gareth Owen in the opening 40 minutes.
He said: “I am really proud of the lads’ performance.
“You don’t expect to lose both number nines before half-time as well as your 13. We were on the ropes a little bit and I said to the guys, there are a lot of reasons to not front up in the second half and let the game slip away from you.
“But if we work hard for each other, we will put Wasps under pressure.
“It was really difficult to get out of our half in the second half but it was fitting at the end of the game they are holding up a body (Alo) who was desperate to score.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
11 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
11 Go to comments