Cool heads helped get Wasps over finish line
Whether it was a tactic of Weir’s or a coincidence, but every one of the flyhalf’s kick-offs went straight down the throat of Wasps No.8 Nathan Hughes.
No wonder the England forward managed to carry for 90 metres across the afternoon during 26 runs with the ball – seven more than any other Premiership player in Round One.
Every Wasps fans’ biggest fear this summer was the Fijian-born powerhouse would suffer a further injury on international duty. Instead, he’s come back fit and firing.
Worcester suffered multiple injury issues and, while he seldom cantered into open spaces, Hughes regularly bounced off defenders and those who did bring him down were required to do so with energy-sapping ferocity.
Warriors had no answer to his power from the base of a 50th minute scrum which led directly to Joe Launchbury’s try.
Having played only ten times domestically last season, Young will be hoping for more game time from his main man as he outshone backrow rival Nizaam Carr – whose afternoon was hampered by a shoulder injury that eventually prompted his withdrawal at half-time. The press room after the final whistle at Sixways was hot in temperature – and debate – as to who was man of the match.
Plenty of Worcester players put up their hand for the accolade, and their plenty of candidates in the Wasps’ ranks, too.
One black-and-golds name you could throw into the equation is that of Ashley Johnson.
Back in the squad for the first time since his six-month ban, the Springbok arrived on the blindside flank during the interval and played like a man possessed, perhaps making up for lost time.
In half a match he managed to make 12 tackles, bettered only by the two Joes (Atkinson and Launchbury) who played the full 80 amd amassed 14 successful hits each.
The South African also punched some big holes in the tiring Worcester defence, including one bulldozing carry in the 65th minute that required a clutch of defenders to stop his progress.
You sense he may be needed when Exeter Chiefs roll into the Ricoh on Saturday.
“Line speed, line speed, line speed” – it’s all you ever hear when you attend rugby matches these days, with coaches and DORs encouraging their defence to tackle in front of the gain line.
While Dai Young wasn’t heard bellowing that down from his vantage point at Sixways, the urgency of his defence was visible for all to see.
Juan de Jongh was by no means alone but the inside centre raced off his line on a few occasions to stifle any Worcester momentum.
Despite being whistled for offside early doors, when Nathan Hughes was penalised despite seemingly being behind the back foot, Wasps continued to meet their man in defence.
However, racing off the line does carry risks. Kieran Brookes and de Jongh’s haste in meeting the ball carrier allowed Pierce Phillips and Duncan Weir to advance in the 52nd minute.
Allying speed off the line with the correct body position for a tackle is the combination that has defence coaches drooling and, in the main, Wasps got it right. Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons was clearly not happy with the penalty count that swung wildly against his side, with Warriors being sent back ten metres a whopping 21 times to Wasps’ seven. Two of Wasps’ comparatively small haul of penalties were punished by Weir’s boot inside the first ten minutes but from there on in, the visitors’ discipline was admirable. Young spoke postmatch of the concession of “dull penalties” which would likely account for Hughes bringing down a player in the lineout or Christian Wade clutching a ball that had been knocked on. But quietly, he must have been pleased with how Wasps didn’t backup a penalty error with another penalty concession. The minute gap between offences conceded by the black-and-golds was, at its smallest, five minutes, its largest 14 minutes, while the final quarter of the match passed with no further penalties conceded.
Not many Wasps games pass without Young raising issue with Wasps’ decision-making in terms of forcing passes, kicks and quick-tap penalties.
Similarly to defensive line speed, it’s a high-risk strategy but occasionally you get rewards. Robson’s quickthinking was pivotal for Tommy Taylor’s try after 57 minutes that pulled Wasps within two points of their hosts.
However, the match was barely a minute old when Nathan Hughes opted to tap and go from a central penalty inside the Worcester half before losing his footing. With the likes of Searle and Elliot Daly on the field, it was a golden opportunity to get the scoreboard ticking over early doors.
Instead, Wasps had to wait until the 28th minute for their first points and, by then, they were 13 points in arrears.
Offloading is also high-risk, but high-reward.
Both Hughes in the 12th minute and Carr in the 35th minute were guilty of releasing possession when holding tight would’ve allowed Wasps more time deep in the 22 to push for a try or earn a penalty from an often illdisciplined Worcester defence.
Wasps last three competitive games have all been on synthetic surfaces, taking in the away victory at Newcastle Falcons at the end of the 2017/18 Premiership league schedule and the play-off semi-final loss to Saracens.
Images of skin abrasions have appeared on social media, with Hughes sporting a nasty-looking burn, while many other players sported similar issues.
Another pitch-related cause for concern is how Wasps read the bounce of the ball from a number of kicks behind enemy lines.
Francois Hougaard’s 16th minute punt bounced wildly beyond Rob Miller and Josh Bassett, resulting in a penalty turnover concession and Worcester’s first try. Weir masterfully weighted his kicks to cause confusion once more four minutes later and, with minutes remaining, an evil bounce from another Weir effort perplexed Marcus Watson and almost allowed Hougaard in for a try.
Fortunately Daly was on hand to make a try-saving tackle. Judging the bounce of a rugby ball is never easy, and how Wasps can improve in this area is tricky, but certainly Worcester made home advantage pay in this department of the game. COVENTRY Bees take on the Birmingham Brummies on Sunday with the winner having the play-off spot in their hands.
Mick Horton saId: “Without a doubt this is the meeting to come and watch, not only for the rivalry as a local derby but with a play-off spot riding on the result.
“We know we have to win three of the last four home meetings starting with Birmingham and Stoke on Sunday. We have Buxton home and away and a final meeting with Mildenhall. It will be a tough task but as long as we can fit all the fixtures in before the cut off date, we have a chance. Against all the odds on and off the track, we have a chance.
“I am so proud of the same seven lads that have pulled on the famous Bees jackets this season. They have been a pleasure to work with and are a very honest bunch who just want to ride and do their very best for Coventry Speedway.
“They keep telling me how grateful they are to be riding for the Bees this season. To be honest I am the one who is grateful to them.
“All our boys would love to ride for Coventry next season and I would dearly love Coventry Speedway to keep racing.
“I have been honest with them from day one and we just don’t know what will happen.
“It is no secret that we have really struggled with the crowd levels and sponsorship. On present financials, we would need investment or sponsorship of £40,000 to commit to racing next season.
“I have always said, if anyone wants to help me or take over from me, I would welcome it.
“We have enjoyed ourselves at Leicester and my thanks go to Damien and Marc Bates and all their staff for their kind help. I truly believe if we can get to next season, things will improve.
“We will never give up on our wish to go back to Brandon or a new home in Rugby/Coventry. I am in regular contact with Rugby Council who are trying their best to help.
“In the meantime, if there is anyone out there who could help our cause, please get in touch with me asap. A commitment to race next season would have to made at the end of the season.
“The flag is still flying for the Bees. Long may it continue.”