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'Six months ago we would have lost in similar circumstances'
Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons was not disheartened to see his young side slump to an eighth consecutive defeat on Friday. Wasps recovered from a 14-3 deficit to triumph 32-17 in the Gallagher Premiership match at the Ricoh Arena.
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The Warriors, who have not won a Premiership game since defeating London Irish in late December, looked set for victory until a strong second-half performance from the hosts turned the game their way.
Wasps’ tries came from Tom Willis, Gabriel Oghre, Tom Cruse and Alfie Barbeary with Rob Miller kicking two penalties and three conversions to secure their fifth consecutive bonus-point win. Worcester responded with tries from Nick David and Beck Cutting. Duncan Weir converted both and added a penalty.
Solomons said: “We had to rotate the squad as we only had a six-day turnaround and then will have a five-day turnaround ahead of next Wednesday’s game against Harlequins.
“It was an ideal opportunity to give our youngsters a game as we have to make use of the whole squad. We were impressive in the first half but they got on top of us in the scrum and in the maul and it was impossible to get any field position after half-time.
Here's a fresh coach whose progress in the next short while will be watched with great interest https://t.co/dWYma5vJWi
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 21, 2020
“We gave away too many penalties and the youngsters we brought on had difficulty in coping with the power of their replacements, who had a big impact on the game. We are treating the remainder of this season as our pre-season in readiness for the 2020/21 competition as we have a new group of coaches.
“However we still want to do as well as we can and we’ve got to ensure that we continue on an upward curve, which I believe we did tonight.”
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Wasps head coach Lee Blackett was delighted with the bonus point which saw his side move up to third in the Premiership table. He said: “I’m very relieved that we found a way to win as six months ago we would have lost in similar circumstances.
“Worcester were pretty impressive in the first 20 minutes and the crucial point came when we turned over their lineout close to our line when they were four points up. In addition, Jacob Umaga and Sione Vailanu and the other replacements made a huge impact when they came off the bench.
“We made a scrappy start but a number of our players haven’t appeared for five or six months and they looked nervous and rusty. Had our disallowed early try from Ben Vellacott been given then this would have given us confidence but we struggled for a time as they quickly scored two tries.
“I’m not looking too far ahead, we have to stay focused on the next game and Tuesday’s match against Sale will be tough.”
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He's no household name but the story of @AlexRieder1 is a compelling insight into hardships inflicted by the sport: shattered limbs, dependence on painkillers and an onerous mental health battle that preyed on vulnerabilities
– he talks to @heagneyl ???https://t.co/orpMtJLZH5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) July 19, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar 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.
10 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.
54 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.
3 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
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 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
54 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.
54 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.
54 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.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments