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'So many lives adversely affected': Online reaction to Wasps' demise
Thursday evening’s announcement that the RFU revoked their licence for Wasps to play in next season’s Championship ignited a huge social media reaction. It was only in October 2020 that the six-time champions of England and twice champions of Europe were last competing in a Gallagher Premiership final but having gone into administration 24 months later with the loss of 167 player and staff jobs, hopes that they could restart in tier-two in 2023/24 have now been quashed.
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Instead, that rebuild – if it ever happens – must begin at the bottom of the English league pyramid, the same fate that happened to London Welsh some years ago.
The story about the Welsh restart in the grassroots leagues in London was previously recounted in a RugbyPass interview with the director of rugby Cai Griffiths, and the big question now is whether Wasps will go the same route or call it quits on a brand that 19 years ago won a Premiership and European double at Twickenham.
Ex-England lock and current BT Sport presenter Martin Bayfield tweeted: “My heart goes out to all those who have lost their club. Rugby must do better. A rugby club, any sporting club, is more than just a name and when it’s tossed aside the pain is felt on an emotional level.”
His BT Sport colleague Nick Mullins added: “This whole sorry, desperately depressing story has hung a shadow over the entire season – and it just got darker and longer. Wasps barred from the Championship and demoted to the bottom of the pyramid. The biggest kick in the guts for everyone who has continued to live in hope.”
One popular figure who had continued to live in hope was Pudsey Bevan, the club’s kit man. “It’s not the end, not even close,” he wrote. “I am proud to have worked with some wonderful players, staff and others here. Keep the faith. Once a Wasp Always a Wasp.”
English players union boss Christian Day added: “Another sad day in English rugby as Wasps, a great club with a great history, fall to the bottom of the pyramid. Again, players and staff go unpaid and the fans will have to start on a long journey back to the top. So many people’s lives adversely affected.”
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Peter Scrivener, the director of PRS Promotions who is an ex-Wasps player and a trustee of their legends charity, said: “It’s been a sad day for Wasps Rugby as professionals. We tried all investment avenues for a sustainable model, but it wasn’t attractive due to the lack of game structure and imposed regulations. Our amateur club @WaspsFC, @WaspsLegends charity and @waspswomen stay strong.”
Another former Wasps player, Billy Searle, added: “Wow, now Wasps. First my current club (Worcester) and now my ex-club completely gone. Can’t believe it’s gone this far! Shocking. Thoughts with all the fans especially.”
Those mourning Wasps fans received support from the official Saracens Supporters Association. “Huge sympathies for all Wasps fans who have suffered such a torrid time over the past few months of doubts, administration, hope of Championship redemption and now this seeing the club they love demoted to the bottom of the pyramid. We hope the pathway back is swift.”
Last word to Andy Goode, another ex-Wasps player and a RugbyPass columnist. “Very sad times to read the statement from @WaspsRugby. A club I loved playing for on and off the field, making memories that are just that now.”
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My heart goes out to all those who have lost their club. Rugby must do better. A rugby club, any sporting club, is more than just a name and when it’s tossed aside the pain is felt on an emotional level. #wasps pic.twitter.com/OSzKDGNxLl
— Martin Bayfield (@MartinBayfield) May 19, 2023
This whole sorry, desperately depressing story has hung a shadow over the entire season – and it just got darker & longer. Wasps barred from the Championship & demoted to the bottom of the pyramid. The biggest kick in the guts for everyone who has continued to live in hope. pic.twitter.com/mslknuI5Ic
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) May 18, 2023
It’s not the end, not even close. I am proud to have worked with some wonderful players, staff and others here. Keep the faith. Once a Wasp Always a Wasp ?. Anyone up for some old school Pudsey after Crackerjack ? #everykitmanknows. pic.twitter.com/pgjy4NviQO
— Pudsey (@WaspsKitMan) May 19, 2023
Another sad day in English rugby as Wasps, a great club with a great history, fall to the bottom of the pyramid.
Again players and staff go unpaid and the fans will have to start on a long journey back to the top. So many peoples lives adversely affected.
— Christian Day (@christianday) May 18, 2023
It’s been a sad day for Wasps Rugby as professionals . We tried all investment avenues for a sustainable model but it wasn’t attractive due to the lack of game structure and imposed regulations. Our amateur club @WaspsFC , @WaspsLegends charity and @waspswomen stay strong
— Peter Scrivener (@peter_scrivener) May 18, 2023
Wow now Wasps? first my current club & now my ex club completely gone. Can’t believe it’s gone this far! Shocking.
Thoughts with all the fans especially???
— Billy Searle (@Searly10) May 18, 2023
Huge sympathies for all Wasps fans who have suffered such a torrid time over the past few months of doubts, administration, hope of Championship redemption and now this seeing the club they love demoted to the bottom of the pyramid. We hope the pathway back is swift #RugbyFamily https://t.co/DSQQPTtHsw pic.twitter.com/Xe6lhsJT6E
— Saracens Supporters Association (@sarriessupport) May 19, 2023
Very sad times to read the statement from @WaspsRugby. A club I loved playing for on and off the field making memories that are just that now. #onceawaspalwaysawasp pic.twitter.com/YCoLrlvOf7
— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) May 18, 2023
Comments on RugbyPass
You 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?
43 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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 commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to comments