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'I have worked hard over lockdown on my speed and power' - England prospect Ollie Thorley hails hard work
Ollie Thorley’s hard work during lockdown reaped a spectacular reward as he joined an exclusive try-scoring club during Gloucester’s 46-30 Gallagher Premiership victory over Leicester.
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Gloucester wing Thorley became only the third player to score four first-half tries in a Premiership game, following former Bath wing Tom Voyce in 2001 and ex-Wasps speedster Christian Wade four years ago.
The 23-year-old England hopeful completed a quartet of scores in just 21 minutes as Gloucester ended a run of three-successive home league defeats.
“I have my team-mates to thank for putting some of the tries on a plate for me, and I was really happy we found our flow in attack,” Thorley said.
Ollie Thorley has scores four tries inside 30 minutes ?
Another brilliant finish!
What did he have for breakfast today, @gloucesterrugby?! pic.twitter.com/l3ubVJFBSZ
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 30, 2020
“I have worked hard over lockdown on my speed and power. It was nice to have that time just to try and up-skill and do everything you can.
“I did a lot of hand-eye stuff and a lot of speed and power work. It gave the body a chance to get fresh, but I’m pleased to be back out there and I am enjoying it.”
Gloucester attack coach Alex King paid tribute to uncapped Thorley, adding: “His work with Jonny May and the other wingers at the club is crucial to how we want to play the game.
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“Ollie scored four today, but the work of Jonny and (full-back) Jason Woodward was outstanding as well. It is a collective effort.”
Asked about Thorley’s England hopes, King said: “That’s a question for (England head coach) Eddie Jones, not myself.
“I just ask Ollie to get better every week. He knows his way to the line, and we are lucky to have two English wings on the pitch today of that calibre.”
Leicester did their best to steal Thorley’s thunder, fighting back from 30 points adrift after 33 minutes to just six behind midway through the final quarter.
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Tigers newcomer Harry Potter scored a box-office solo touchdown for Leicester, while substitutes Jordan Taufua and Cameron Henderson also crossed as the Tigers scored 24 points without reply.
What a try that is for @LeicesterTigers ?
Zack Henry with the wizardry before the finish from Harry Potter ? pic.twitter.com/IykGgc3L36
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 30, 2020
But Thorley, who has twice been part of England Six Nations squads, retained centre-stage, with centre Chris Harris, scrum-half Joe Simpson and replacement Lloyd Evans also claiming touchdowns.
Billy Twelvetrees added four conversions and a penalty for Gloucester, while Zack Henry kicked two penalties and substitute George Ford landed three conversions and a penalty as he inspired Tigers’ ultimately fruitless quest to avoid an 11th league defeat this season.
King said: “Rugby can be like that sometimes. We have all watched games and been in games when teams come back into it.
“We lost a little bit of control in the second half, but I am really proud of the boys that they found a way to win.
“Sometimes it is hard to get momentum back when you have lost it, and we need to look at why that happened.”
The introduction of Ford and his fellow England half-back Ben Youngs inspired Leicester’s recovery.
Tigers rugby director Geordan Murphy said: “We know that George and Ben can add a bit of nous to any performance.
“They did a big job, but we learnt some big lessons about the others, too.
“We came here to go for a win, so it’s disappointing, but to have a massive U-turn in the second half is something we can learn lessons from.”
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments