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Simpson rescues late draw for Wasps
By Alex Fisher
Wasps needed a late try from Joe Simpson to keep their unbeaten Premiership run intact as the leaders rescued a 35-35 draw with Exeter Chiefs on Sunday.
Dai Young's side had not tasted defeat in the league since mid-November but looked in trouble at Sandy Park despite dominating the early proceedings.
Luckily for the visitors they were eventually able to find a way through as Simpson profited from Danny Cipriani's late break to ensure three points apiece.
A pulsating encounter between two of the top four saw both sides score five converted tries, while Exeter managed to survive without Jonny Hill for the last 34 minutes after he saw red for a dangerous tackle.
Wasps took the lead on three occasions in the first half but were unable to pull away from the hard-working Chiefs, the hosts coming back each time to ensure parity at the break.
80 mins: FULLTIME. It's a draw at Sandy Park in a crazy ten try game! Wasps extend their lead at the top of the table! 35-35 pic.twitter.com/2YPQLilAxO
— Wasps (@WaspsRugby) February 12, 2017
Luke Cowan-Dickie gave Exeter the lead early in the second half but Hill's moment of ill-discipline handed Wasps a numerical advantage and Kyle Eastmond immediately capitalised to help tie things up once more.
Ollie Woodburn tilted matters back in Exeter's favour but they could not hang on as Simpson ensured a share of the spoils and a sixth game without defeat in the league for Wasps.
The three points extended Wasps' lead at the summit to five points, while Exeter move into third at the expense of Bath.
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Smith is playing a different game with the rest of the backs struggling to understand. That's the problem with so called playmakers, if nobody gets what they're doing then it often just leads to a turnover. It gets worse when Borthwick changes one of them, which is why they don't score points at the end. Sometimes having a brilliant playmaker can be problematic if a team cannot be built around them. Once again Borthwick seems lacking in either coaching or selection. I can't help but think it's the latter coupled with pressure to select the big name players.
Lastly, his forward replacements are poor and exposed either lack of depth or selection pressure. Cole hemorrhages scrum penalties whenever he comes on, opponents take advantage of the England scrum and close out the game. Is that the best England can offer?
Go to commentsWhich Australian coaches would be acceptable to coach the All Blacks ?
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