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'That is just agents looking for more money': Wasps outline their next move at No10 after losing Lima Sopoaga to Lyon
Wasps boss Lee Blackett had insisted he won’t be going in the transfer market to find a replacement for the soon-to-exit Lima Sopoaga, the ex-All Blacks out-half who is leaving England behind for a stint in the Top 14 with Lyon. It was April 13 when Sopoaga, the 30-year-old playmaker capped on 16 occasions by New Zealand, confirmed on social media that he would be leaving Wasps following a three-season stay.
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However, rather than dip into the market and sign someone else, Blackett has explained the club will now place every faith in youthful duo Jacob Umaga and Charlie Atkinson being their No10s for the next ten years. The Wasps boss also dismissed as unfounded the speculation linking Worcester’s Billy Searle with a return to Coventry where veteran New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth is still on the books and more than playing his part at the age of 37.
Reflecting on the impending exit of Sopoaga, who first came to England in 2018, Blackett said: “There has been some highs and lows. He is a quality player and I’m sure he will be a success where he goes next. Unfortunately, it has come to the end and it happens. Look, he has added to the group, he has brought experience and we wish him and his family all the best.”
Asked how Wasps would fill the vacancy left by Sopoaga, who arrived as an out-half but will leave having spent more time lately playing at full-back, Blackett continued: “We won’t be looking at No10. If you are talking about the Billy Searle rumour we ain’t looking to recruit a 10, that is just agents looking for more money.
“Where we feel we are as a club in terms of the 10s, we have got Jimmy in behind and we have got Jacob who I feel he is returning to the form that I know he has. I know it was a disappointing team performance last weekend (at Exeter), especially the second half, but in terms of that Jacob showed signs again of getting back to his best.
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 15, 2021
“In terms of Jacob’s effort at the weekend, just in terms of running speed, Pete Atkinson said for the last five years he has not seen anyone run the distances Jacob ran, his explosive running during the game. If you have a look at all our breaks at the weekend he was there, he was on the back, he was chasing things back. His work rate was brilliant. I expect that from everyone, but it’s more his play around the field – I thought he was a threat. I thought he was making a lot fewer errors and he looks to be getting back to his form.
“And then Charlie, in the U23 game the other day stood out like a sore thumb. Even at 18, I thought he looked a class above out there. When you have got two 10s like that, for us to bring in and add a third 10 to it and an experienced guy you are probably delaying their development.
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“We have worked hard on Charlie already so quickly and we know Jacob. Jacob at his very best is a standout Premiership 10 and you have got a youngster in Charlie who is showing great potential and is already pushing Jacob for selection – so to bring in someone over the top of that, would that stunt the growth of these two that we believe is the future for the next ten years?
“If we were to bring someone in here, No10 would probably be their second position. It’s not something we are looking at at this moment of time but if we talk further down the line as a club in the future we would be looking at people that probably their second position is No10 covering behind because we are hoping Charlie and Jacob are our future now in the next ten years at least.”
A shocking discovery was made when a doctor checked out the Italian https://t.co/QtUOcfqJuR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 21, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Quite 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.
10 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.
1 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
10 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.
10 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
10 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.
10 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
10 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.
10 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
10 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.
10 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.
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