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'I quite like tired defences, it would be an interesting change in the laws'
Wasps boss Lee Blackett has pondered what rugby could be like if the current eight-man subs bench was reduced. Amid concerns over the level of injuries that allegedly happen with so many replacement players coming up against tired players who have been playing since the first minute in matches, there has been a suggestion that the number of subs should be reduced.
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It is something to should prick up Wasps’ ears as the Gallagher Premiership club have recently had matches where they have not used their full complement of eight replacements. For instance, their two starting props, Ben Harris and Kieran Brookes, played the entire 80 minutes of their recent Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 match versus Clermont.
That April 3 game in Coventry was even the second successive full 80-minute appearance for loosehead Harris, exposure totally at odds with the current trend where props around the world get substituted in and around the hour mark.
Asked if rugby having fewer replacements available for a team to use might potentially a positive step forward for the sport as a whole, Blackett said: “My initial thought on it was I’d probably like it the way it is but then I heard someone speak about how it would make the game faster in terms of it could put more fatigue and I quite like the thought of that, of tired defences.
“It would be good for the game. Now whatever comes our way, we will deal with it. I don’t think people are going to listen to my opinion but I quite like tired defences. There would be more points scored in the game so it would be an interesting one, an interesting change in the laws.
"People start figuring them out, seeing if there are any weaknesses in their game and start targeting certain areas"https://t.co/sH7h9qXTWl
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2021
“I’d go old school, I’d go zero (replacements). No, I have not really thought about it. It would be really interesting to see what you would do with props, whether you would go back to having one prop and the ability to play both sides. That would make it interesting in terms of that, but the safety of it I don’t know. Let’s go five (subs).”
Explaining how props Harris and Brookes felt after going the distance in Wasps’ recent European knockout match, Blackett added: “Looking at their faces afterwards I don’t think they want to play full 80. In terms of that, Ben did it against Sale (the previous week). We had just only one loosehead and we had got a tighthead playing at loosehead and to be honest he had done a little bit there but you’re talking about playing prop at the top level.
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“He could do a job for us there but we felt Ben was the right thing to stay. Against Clermont, we thought Kieran was going well because of the scrum so it was pure tactical in terms of that. Ideally, we are at our best when we have got fresh guys coming on.
“In an ideal world if we have everyone available we would be making changes a lot earlier in terms of that but you just have to treat each game differently. If I was being honest you’d love to make those changes around the 50, 60-minute mark but each game will have a different situation that will require a different tactic.”
Fair play to Ian Costello on his return to Munster, the club who wouldn't renew his contract back in 2016 https://t.co/73lU3Lb91l
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 14, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Nice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
38 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
38 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
10 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
38 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
10 Go to commentsWowee!
10 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
10 Go to comments