Launchbury rallies Wasps to hit back
CAPTAIN Joe Launchbury has told his Wasps team-mates that only hardwork and togetherness will halt their slump.
The England second row led a lengthy debrief with the squad after Saturday’s 28-22 defeat to Harlequins. It was Wasps’ fifth defeat in six Gallagher Premiership games this season and a 10th loss in 14 matches overall in the 2019/20 campaign so far.
“It was something along the lines of this will change but won’t change just because we want it to change,” said the 28-year-old, who signed a new deal earlier this month.
“That involves working as hard as we can, keeping close as a squad. You look at the talent we’ve got in the group inside the playing circle and outside the playing circle and the guys who didn’t make the squad on Saturday. We’re lucky to have such a talented squad.”
After a blistering start when Wasps raced 17 points ahead in the opening 20 minutes at the Ricoh Arena, they shipped four converted tries before Thomas Young’s late try salvaged a losing bonus point.
Launchbury said there were positives from the performance but conceded his patience was wearing thin being on the wrong side of results.
“I don’t think there’s every been a complete 80-minute performance in rugby union,” said the long-serving lock. “I don’t think that game has ever existed I don’t think teams can be on top for the whole game.
“We need to find a way when we’re not on top when we need to find a way to get back on top and that’s the secret for us and we understand that. The bit before and after half-time wasn’t acceptable.”