Wasps 'gutted' as ex-England prospect helps boot them out of Europe
Lee Blackett insists Wasps’ wastefulness in the Lyon 22 cost them a place in what would have been their first European final since 2007.
Wasps held a five-point half-time lead at the Matmut Stadium but were overpowered after the interval with Lyon running out 20-18 winners to reach the European Challenge Cup final.
Wasps head coach Blackett believes this was a missed opportunity for his side.
“We are pretty gutted about it,” said Blackett.
“We feel as if we controlled large parts of the game, and it came down to key moments. What would have won the game for us was better conversion rates within their 22.
“I thought we controlled field position but did not take our opportunities. We also did not win the aerial game so that would be the two things.
“We put so much into it, controlled large parts of the game, and unfortunately, we’ve fallen on the wrong side of key moments. When the game breaks up they (Lyon) are up there with the very best sides in Europe.
“The players are pretty gutted. It’s going to be hard to get back up for next week, but we’ve got to make sure we don’t let this derail our season.”
Leo Berdeu contributed 15 points for Lyon including a try, while Yanis Charcosset also touched down to send the French club into their first final in any competition since 1933.
Wasps scored two tries of their own courtesy of Dan Robson and Jimmy Gopperth, who also kicked eight points.
Wasps held an 8-3 lead at half-time with Robson scoring the only try.
But Lyon’s pack went up a few gears in the second half with tries from Berdeu and Charcosset sealing the victory.
Gopperth did score a late try, but it was a case of too little too late for Wasps.
Former England Under-20s and Saracens lock Joel Kpoku was named player of the match, and he is confident Lyon can win their first European silverware in two weeks’ time when they face the winner of Toulon against Saracens in the final at Marseille.
“This is only the start and there’s much more to come from this group,” said the 22-year-old.
“We’ve been chasing this for a long time, and thankfully we were able to come out on top against a great Wasps side who really tested us from minute one to 80.
“I can’t wait until the final. It’s a great feeling.
“To finally be in a final is so surreal, but there’s one more game to come and hopefully we can get a win there as well.
“We knew what we needed to do, and it was about believing in ourselves, and keeping our discipline to stop them getting into the game.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely 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.
55 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
11 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.
11 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
55 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 comments