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Nemani Nadolo can't get his head around criticism of 11-try Bath vs Wasps thriller
Fiji winger Nemani Nadolo has been bemused by the level of negative reaction to Friday night’s eleven-try Gallagher Premiership thriller between Bath and Wasps at The Rec.
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Northern hemisphere rugby has come in for much criticism over the European winter, with many writing off tournaments like the Autumn Nations Cup and the Premiership as generally dull and boring due to dominant defences.
However, after the Bath and Wasps rearguards were torn asunder, there was much commentary online regarding how ‘poor’ the respective defences were rather than enjoyment of the attacking rugby that was provided.
The reaction left Nadolo confused and the Leicester winger shared his thoughts on Twitter following the Premiership game at The Rec which was won by Wasps on a 52-44 scoreline.
“Fans complaining about how defence is killing the game and how boring rugby is becoming. We have one game (in the northern hemisphere) where attacking rugby is on show (which mind you was a pleasure to watch) and the first thing people point out is defence.”
Fans complaining about how defense is killing the game and how boring rugby is becoming. We have a one game (in the northern hemisphere) where attacking rugby is on show (which mind u was a pleasure to watch) and the first thing people point out is defense. ?????? #batvswas
— nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) January 8, 2021
The 44 points scored by Bath was the second highest by a losing side in the history of the Premiership, three points shy of the mark set by Bristol when they were beaten 47-53 by Sale in an April 2002 top-flight game. Both coaches were critical of their teams in the aftermath of the 96 points that were seen at The Rec on Friday.
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Wasps boss Lee Blackett said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the result. In terms of the performance, I thought we were a bit off. People were probably expecting a 10-8 scoreline on a cold January night here, and it was probably two very tired teams coming off big games last weekend.”
Bath boss Stuart Hooper added: “Their [Wasps’] conversion rate was bang-on when they got in the final third. Some of it was sloppy from us and we have got to do better. There is nowhere to hide from that. We are massively disappointed and hurt with the result and conceding that many points at home. I’m definitely frustrated with how sloppy we were on occasions.”
Odogwu clocked up 142 metres on his seven carries, making four clean breaks and beating five defenders in a match where he scored tries on 48 and 54 minutes…#GallagherPrem #BATvWAShttps://t.co/qYmmM0bSZ8
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo 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.
35 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
35 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
35 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.
35 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. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. 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.
35 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.
35 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.
2 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.
35 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.
18 Go to comments