Jack and Charlie didn’t deserve to be on losing side
WASPS suffered a heartbreaking 40-36 last-minute defeat to Northampton Saints despite having led for nearly the whole match.
Two tries in the last three minutes won the game for the visitors, but without a doubt the turning point was the penalty try and red card for Jacob Umaga in the final quarter of the game.
Despite the result though, there were some very good performances for Wasps, and some who really didn’t deserve to be on the losing side. Here is how the Coventry Telegraph rated the Wasps players out of ten...
15. JACOB UMAGA: For 66 minutes, the fullback was gliding around the CBS Arena full of creative intent, and emphatically smashed over two penalties from halfway. His backfield scampering work was encouraging too.
Then came the moment Brian O’driscoll described as being ‘unbelievably careless.’ A third red card in 12 outings is telling. While we all wish him well after suffering a big head injury in the act of colliding with Courtnall Skosan, his unrefined side undermines so much of the brilliance he brings in attack. 5
14. PAOLO ODOGWU: It was great to see him buzzing around looking for work again. Odogwu deserved his try, and it was down to his power and quickness of thought that Oghre could get his score. Can count himself unlucky to be the man sacrificed, when Wasps were 12 points ahead, to get a player on after Wasps went down to 14 men. 8
13. BURGER ODENDAAL: Moved to outside centre on paper at least, it didn’t seem to change too much about the way he plays, with his barnstorming carry softening up the defence for Willis’s try. From a clean break he looked set to provide the assist for Bassett but the two couldn’t make it stick. 6
12. RYAN MILLS: Like Odendaal, got more opportunities in the first half, where Wasps were more creative in their play. This partnership looks to have potential. Mills’s carries were tough to stop on the gainline and gave space to Odogwu out wide for his score although he was caught going for the line late on and turned the ball over. In his first Premiership start since February, Mills himself had earlier secured a breakdown turnover, as Wasps pressed hard in that area. 6
11. JOSH BASSETT: Was really unlucky not to get a score, twice being thwarted at the crucial moment. Firstly, he and Odendaal weren’t quite on the same wavelength for an offload that would have put him under the sticks. Then he was unfortunate not to score when kicked ahead to him by Atkinson before the fly half’s score, but it did prove to be a handy assist.
While he was backtracking for the high ball that led to Coles’s first try, it was one he probably should’ve owned, or Robson gave up on. Instead, the scrum-half was knocked out and Saints cashed in. 6
10. CHARLIE ATKINSON: His try was one that will live long in the memory. It was all about his elusive running, vision and perseverance. He beat defenders, fended Alex Mitchell, kicked intelligently and stuck with it to finish it off.
It was a really controlled performance from Atkinson against one of the world’s best in his position, showing all of his best attributes. A cool pop pass to put Carr through leading to the first try and his highball work was accomplished too. 8.5
9. DAN ROBSON: The 30-yearold was back to showing signs of his best form during the first half, seeking and finding space as well as runners. His best moment was a chip kick that forced Ollie Sleightholme to give away a penalty.
One or two passes were a little floated but largely he was on the money. Sadly his afternoon ended when he fumbled a high ball after Bassett’s arm struck him in the face at high speed – from which Coles ultimately scored. 6
1. ROBIN HISLOP: Quietly, the Scotsman is having a decent season and we’re seeing some of the traits which warmed him to Wasps fans in his debut campaign. While he doesn’t make a bundle of metres in possession, Hislop’s fearless runs
into traffic and his presentation is first rate, as his defence aiming for lower limbs. 6
2. GABRIEL OGHRE: One of his best games. Recovered from an early not straight throw to tidy up in that area and was a defensive leader, making 17 tackles, and pounced for a key early turnover. Poached brilliantly for his try and went the distance. 8
3. JOHN RYAN: Promoted to the starting line-up following Vincent Koch’s late withdrawal, the Irishman was penalised once early on at the scrum but was otherwise solid. He’s seeing plenty of the ball and appears to be relishing his involvement outside of the setpiece. 6
4. JOE LAUNCHBURY: After appearing to be in pain during the warm-up, it was a surprise he played at all, but that is the mark of his passion for the club. Despite clearly being in some discomfort, the captain offered himself up in congested areas but on more than one occasion lost the collision and was withdrawn at half-time. 5
5. KIRAN MCDONALD: As the league is becoming more and more high scoring, restarts are becoming more important to stop an immediate response to your tries. Unfortunately, two of Northampton’s tries came as a result of Mcdonald dropping the ball from them. It’s a real shame for him, who otherwise was full of industry. 5
6. BEN MORRIS: Got his head on the wrong side of Alex Coles and was knocked out after 13 minutes. N/A
7. JACK WILLIS: The battle between two England rivals at number seven was a delight to watch, but Willis without doubt came out on top against Lewis Ludlam. He stopped countless Saints attacks with brilliant turnovers.
Two particular examples were almost miraculous at critical times for his team on 49 and 67 minutes. Ran a superb support line to get the ball for his try, ran 60 metres with his carries and completed 18 tackles. He was the best player on the pitch by some distance. 9
8. NIZAAM CARR: The years were rolling back with this performance. Carr was everywhere. His carrying throughout was influential, but his work at the breakdown was massive. Carried really hard off the base, drawing in defenders, giving time to his backs throughout. However, as the game wore on, Carr tired and his defence suffered. 7.5