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'For a club the size of Wasps... We wouldn't be human if we didn't think about it'
Lee Blackett is desperate to end Wasps’ 15-year trophy drought after they reached the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup.
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The Premiership outfit have not won a major competition since landing the Champions Cup back in 2007.
They are now potentially 160 minutes from glory after defeating Edinburgh 34-30 in a thrilling contest at DAM Health Stadium on Saturday to set up a semi-final against Lyon.
“It’s big to be in the semi-final,” said head coach Blackett. “For a club the size of Wasps, it’s been a long time since we won a trophy.
“It’s been too long. We’re delighted to be in the semi-final, but in this tournament this year there are some monster teams.
“Saracens are still in it, Lyon are in it – these are quality sides, these are Champions Cup sides. We know it’s going to be hard to win it, but we’re in the last four so we’ve got a chance.”
Blackett is excited by the possibility of making it to the final in Marseille later this month, although he knows Wasps must overcome a formidable test away to Lyon next weekend.
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“It would be massive for any club to get to the final in Marseille,” he said. “That’s why you do the sport. They’re the occasions you dream of at the start of the season.
“We can’t get too carried away with thinking about Marseille. We wouldn’t be human if we didn’t slightly think about it, but it’s our job as coaches to keep everyone on task. Being away to Lyon is going to be a massive ask.”
Edinburgh head coach Mike Blair was irked by several decisions from French referee Pierre Brousset as his side, who led 17-10 at the break and 30-27 going into the final five minutes, were undone in a tight encounter.
“Some of the frustrating moments were self-induced and some I didn’t think the referee got right,” said Blair.
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“There were a couple of decisions at the end which could have proved crucial. But equally I’m sure there were decisions that went the other way that he didn’t get right. Ultimately it’s not about the referee. It’s about the things we can control.”
Edinburgh had Connor Boyle sin-binned just before Wasps scored their decisive try through Alfie Barbeary after 75 minutes, but they still produced a rousing finish as they tried to get their noses back in front.
“We were one man down in that period, so with the turnover threat Wasps have got, it was difficult to maintain ball and keep us pushing forward, but we almost got there,” said Blair.
Comments on RugbyPass
To me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
30 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
30 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
30 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
30 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
30 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
30 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
30 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot 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.
17 Go to comments