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'Ah bollocks!' and 'Superb signing': Koch transfer stirs emotions
By Liam Heagney
BT Sport rugby commentator Nick Mullins reckons the decision of Springboks prop Vincent Koch to leave Saracens for Wasps will be just one of plenty of big-name moves as clubs in the English top-flight look to get their salary caps in order ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.
The 31-year-old South African has been a firm favourite of Saracens fans since his arrival in London in 2016, the World-Cup winning prop even playing for the club in last season's Championship title-winning campaign.
However, just weeks after the switch of George Ford from Leicester to Sale lit up the Premiership grapevine, the news that Koch is heading to Wasps next season has had a similarly busy reaction online.
It was at 11.45am on Thursday when Saracens admitted they had lost their man, tweeting: "Thank you, Vinnie. We can today confirm that @vincentkoch1 will be leaving the club at the end of the season."
This was followed by the noon confirmation from Wasps that Koch would be their new tighthead next season. "Welcome to Wasps... Mr Incredible x Vincent Koch," they posted with a video accompanying the news of their Premiership transfer coup.
Mullins, who covers the league for UK rights holders BT Sport, soon tweeted: "Prepare for plenty of big-name moves like Vincent Koch's. Trimming the Premiership wage cap to £5m/year and cutting back to just one marquee player means most will be busy re-shaping their squads and off-loading high-earners over the next couple of seasons."
Numerous fans gave their reaction to the deal taking Koch from London to Coventry, Saracens understandably showing their disappointment and Wasps supporters cheering from the rooftops. Stand up comedian, actor, writer Hal Cruttenden, a high profile Saracens supporter, said: "Ah bollocks! Great player who I think I always underrated because he had too nice a face for a prop."
Another Sarries fan added: "Absolutely gutted with this news. With the rumours of Mako (Vunipola) as well, don’t look good for the future." Another tweet read: "Like many Sarries supporters I’m gutted to hear Vincent Koch is leaving. He has contributed immeasurably to Saracens' success. He’ll be a huge asset to Wasps."
Fans of the Coventry-based club were naturally thrilled with their singing. One tweeted: "Could ever only see Vincent Koch leave Sarries for Sale with his best mate there....how wrong was I!?"
Another reckoned: "Superb signing for Wasps, one-third of the bomb squad. He really is the real deal, a signing of intent by Wasps. I feel Saracens may regret this one although you never know what they have in the pipeline. He is at the top of his game entering his prime."
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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