'We gave away so many dumb penalties... it was ridiculous.'
Northampton boss Chris Boyd bemoaned his side’s indiscipline as he admitted too many “dumb penalties” cost them in their 26-20 Gallagher Premiership defeat to Wasps.
Previously unbeaten Saints struck first through Sam Matavesi before Zach Kibirige crossed, with the teams going in level at 10-10 at half-time as Dan Biggar and Jacob Umaga traded penalties.
Umaga kicked Wasps ahead for the first time after the break before Dan Robson’s try put the hosts in control and, while Lewis Ludlam responded, Jimmy Gopperth’s boot proved decisive.
James Fish did grab a losing bonus point for Saints at the death with a consolation score, but Boyd was left frustrated with the way his players performed in the second half.
“There were a lot of factors, but the biggest one that’s been troubling us for the past two or three weeks came home to roost in the end,” said Boyd.
“We gave away so many dumb penalties that kept them in the game it was ridiculous. That discipline around the ruck, around the maul area, around the tackle area ultimately killed us.
“The guys that came off the bench were a bit frustrated and, if you look at who gave the penalties away, it was the guys who came on and wanted to make a difference.
“It was frustrating, we tried to keep the tempo up and they tried to slow it down for long periods of time. We thought we might get some reward in the last 20, but it wasn’t to be.
“We’ll see how important that losing bonus point is in 20 weeks’ time. We know it’s about accumulation of points and we’re disappointed not to come away with four from here.”
There was some controversy in the second half as Wasps replacement hooker Gabriel Oghre was only shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Alex Mitchell just after the hour mark when his side led 20-10.
Northampton scored soon after through captain Ludlam, but two quickfire Gopperth penalties took the match away from Saints, much to the delight of Lee Blackett.
“We stayed in the fight for the first 20 minutes and then we started to get some control,” said the Wasps head coach.
“We missed a kick to get in at half-time ahead and, considering what had gone on in that first half, that would have been some achievement because we felt like we were under a lot of pressure.
“The way we controlled the second half was the pleasing thing. The yellow card was a potentially game-changing moment as we had got ourselves in a good position.
“We were looking confident and then we got a yellow card and conceded not long after. We’re pleased with the character and the fight and we’re pleased with the performance.
“There’s loads to work on. Are we pleased with the result? Massively. That’s Premiership games – sometimes you’ve just got to fight and scrap and find a way of winning games.”
The only negative for Wasps was an apparent ankle injury suffered right at the end by James Gaskell, who had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.
Blackett said: “I spoke to only one person, our head of performance, and he reckons it was his ankle, so it doesn’t look good.
“As soon as you hear straight away that you need the trauma kit, it’s never a good sign.
“As he’s just come back it’s going to be a massive loss to us and I just hope it’s not serious.”
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
36 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.
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.
36 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
36 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
36 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.
36 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.
36 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.
36 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.
36 Go to comments