Confidence and belief so high in Blackett’s squad
WASPS head coach Lee Blackett pointed to the ‘belief, confidence and leadership’ of his side as they came from behind to beat Worcester.
For the second time in their fivematch, bonus-point claiming run, Wasps were behind at the break but were unstoppable upon the restart to win 32-17 to rise to third in the Gallagher Premiership with Sale Sharks up next tomorrow.
After the Friday night match, Blackett spoke to the media and this what he had to say...
Five bonus point wins, with coming from behind was this one you are most proud of?
“It was a bit like London Irish, we were 14-3 down and we fought our way back. The big thing we’re speaking about at the moment is confidence. You really saw the confidence when we started picking and going with seven minutes to go when we start picking and going. We could easily have taken the points and walked back to halfway. We get that try then come back at the end and score the try to take it.”
The key to current great run...
“Belief. Just backing each other, believing in each other. A big thing is the leadership on the field, you can see the players taking control and that’s really pleasing to see when you can see the composure, belief and there’s no panic out there.”
On the turning point...
“They have a line out in the bottom right corner. They’re four points up at the time, 50 minutes on the clock, they have a line out five metres out, we manage to repel it and Gaby Oghre gets us a penalty for us and the game changed in that moment.” Talent in reserve...
“I am really happy with the impact of the bench. I thought they made a difference when they came on. Settled us, and that’s what we’re talking about. We want to play a squad game. We need impact from the bench. I thought they helped us massively in terms of us winning the game.”
Jeff Toomaga-allen’s arrival at half-time for Biyi Alo
“It was tactical. We thought that was the right thing to do. Jeff came on and was very impressive. He had a really good impact on the game and he was one of many who came off the bench and made a difference.”
15 changes to the starting XV, but another bonus point win...
“For a lot of them it’s a fairly long time since they’ve last played. There was definitely rustiness, don’t forget nerves, being back here and not playing in five or six months. You could tell early on. We got a disallowed try, that would probably have settled us. Then they go and score and the nerves start building up. We’re really happy with the last halfhour, the last 10 minutes was pure confidence. At one point it would’ve been easy to just kick the points. The confidence we were eventually going to score shone through.”
Ben Vellacott’s first Wasps start, a year after joining...
“He was really good. He is going to give us great options, we feel blessed at scrum-half, I don’t think many teams have four nines like we have. It was a really impressive start, it’s great to have him back. I say have him back, we didn’t really start with him.” Alfie Barbeary scored on his Premiership debut from bench...
“It was a good impact from Alfie, he came on in the back row for us. All the bench added something when they came on. All the best sides have impact from the bench.”
36 players used so far, Sale tomorrow, all change again?
“We’re going to try our best to look after the squad during this period that’s what it is about. Trusting the squad and that’s why we made 15 changes, we trusted the boys to go out there and get the result, and thankfully they did. We will have a look at the bodies, the vast majority are going to come back in.”
Are the play-offs now a reality?
“I’ve said from the outset we’ve got to stay focused on the next game and let’s not lose sight of that. It’s a really big game next up here against Sale, it’s really important. You can’t think too far ahead. You’ve got to think next game at this moment in time.”