Wasps showcase best and worst with victory
EIGHT tries and 65 points were scored in an action-packed afternoon at the Ricoh Arena as Wasps secured an Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final in their penultimate regular season match. The 36-29 victory over Northampton Saints showcased the best and worst of Wasps as they scored four - but conceded just as many tries to ultimately edge home in a game they should’ve sealed in far more comfortable fashion. Telegraph rugby writer was at the game and has picked five key talking points from Wasps’ final home match of the season. Dan Robson might not have had the free-running game we’ve been treated to this season - but his performance would’ve impressed England head coach Eddie Jones up in the stands.
In the 18th minute, Robson kicked from the base of a ruck and comfortably reached half-way.
From that field position, Saints were penalised for crossing and Wasps boomed their way into the opposition 22.
Line-out ball secured, four passes later, Elliot Daly goes over in the corner.
By taking Wasps out of their own last quarter and pushing Saints to attack from inside their own half, it opened up the opportunity for one error, one moment of brilliance, to swing the game. In international rugby, that is essential as chances are often few and far between in tight test matches.
Robson’s rapid distribution and adventure are givens – if any doubts lingered over his kicking game, aside from an early wobble, Robson showcased his all-round game to the watching England boss. For a second week running, Wasps scored the perfect team try finished off by Christian Wade.
In little over a minute, Wasps went from a line out 35 metres out, via seven phases before the winger raced home from Willie le Roux’s first assist of the day.
Wasps are often bemoaned for not building phases – but they can do so much damage with a little over a handful of phases.
Criticising Dai Young’s side for this approach is difficult as it’s this attitude to attack that makes them so special. To win the Avvia Premiership, Wasps are likely to have to defeat both Exeter Chiefs and Saracens. Anybody who manages that are deserving champions. Wasps’ Achilles heel at times this season is the vulnerability from the rolling maul – an area of the game where both the above-mentioned teams excel. Dai Young highlighted Saints’ strength in this area before the game and his side were powerful in the counter-maul from close-range line outs. Only a few months ago I would get a sinking feeling when opposition hookers threw in from five to 10 metres out – but it’s an area that has been tightened up as it faces its sternest tests at semi-final time. Willie le Roux’s four assists against Northampton Saints takes him to 21 in 19 games this season. The last player to make four assists in a game was Owen Williams against Bristol in February 2017 - a match the Tigers won 50-17 against their rock-bottom opponents. Le Roux’s achievements blow this out of the water. It’s easy to forget the guy is a full back, as he spends so much time in the line and providing the final pass. Four assists in a game when Wasps scored four tries and won by seven points speaks volumes as the South African’s stock continues to soar.
Dai Young revealed he has spoken to South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus about the virtues of le Roux and his countryman Juan de Jongh with Japan 2019 looming.
It’s hard to imagine a World Cup without le Roux carving up defences but he hasn’t been selected by the Springboks since November 2016.
Wasps are often bemoaned for not building phases – but they can do so much damage with a little over a handful of phases.
The look on James Haskell’s face when Josh Bassett’s 79th minute try was disallowed spoke volumes. Almost emotionless. Void of thoughts other than utter disbelief.
Saints substitute Alex Moon crashed into the contact area and Haskell’s side-on hit managed to dislodge the ball with the aid of Matt Mullan’s left shoulder.
BT Sports commentator Austin Healey immediately began suggesting the England man’s tackle was a shade high and the officials ultimately agreed.
From loose possession, Haskell passed between his legs and Wasps counter-attacked through Danny Cipriani’s sublime grubber for Bassett to hack on twice at full speed to score. Was the tackle reckless? Did he make contact with the Saints’ player’s head?
There’s a strong argument for the defence to let the try stand.
A murky grey area is growing within the sport for these kind of collisions.
Haskell went so far as to call the sport ‘pathetic’ in his post-match comments and it’s hard to argue with him.