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Solomons unable to comment on Melani Nanai's early red card
By PA
Worcester director of rugby Alan Solomons felt unable to comment on Melani Nanai’s early red card which proved to be the turning point as the Warriors crashed to a 44-15 defeat to Gloucester at Sixways.
Worcester had enjoyed early dominance and led 8-3 in the 18th minute at which point Nanai was sent off for an illegal head-high challenge on Jonny May, who was unable to continue following lengthy treatment.
An early try from Ted Hill and a penalty from Billy Searle had put Warriors in front, but Gloucester ran riot after Nanai’s red card.
Ollie Thorley scored two tries, Jack Singleton, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jason Woodward and Stephen Varney one apiece with Billy Twelvetrees adding two penalties and four conversions.
Scott Van Breda scored a late consolation try for Worcester which Duncan Weir converted.
Solomons said: “It’s very difficult to comment as I haven’t had any opportunity to look at any replays. Christophe Ridley is an excellent referee and he had the benefit of seeing a number of reviews.
“There is no doubt that it had a massive impact on the game as it happened after only 18 or 19 minutes and it’s very difficult to play for more than an hour with 14 men especially after you have had five months off.
“I was pleased that we made so many line breaks, which was one of the positive aspects of the match, but I was disappointed that we didn’t finish any of them off. I thought we gave them too much momentum in the game.”
Next up for Worcester is a trip to Wasps on Friday night.
Solomons added: “We will need to freshen things up for that game as today was our first bit of real rugby and we will need to make full use of our squad.”
New Gloucester head coach George Skivington was delighted with a winning resumption.
He said: “It wasn’t the ideal start and the sending-off made a huge difference but I’m really happy with the effort but obviously there are things we can do better. However, I’m not flustered by anything I saw as I believe we can put those matters right.
“I thought Jake Polledri had a lively game up front and he was well supported by a strong performance from our front five.
“Danny Cipriani also managed the game well and put in a brilliant performance to put us in the right areas.”
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Latest Comments
My ‘fantasy’ team V Ireland,
Including options from ABXV if needed, as V Mun better V Ireland better prep than England.
The most important aspect V Ireland is AB need ALL their loosies AND 'loosie capable locks' on ALL match [except IF(?) any tiring ie the aging & slowing eg Cane]. As follows,
{starting} bench (3rd choice)
1 {De Groot} / Tu’ungafasi (Williams)
2 { anyone that can throw!! }/ Aumua (Brodie McAlister)
Ryan! coach lineouts & Aumua to throw!
3 {Lomax}/ Tosi (Newell )
Tosi immense strength V England
4,5 Locks { P.Tuipulotu, S.Barrett }, Vaa’i, Darry
( Isaia Walker-Leawere)
Vaa’i off V Eng. Assumed due to leg injury(?)
6,7,8 Loose forwards { Sititi, A.Savea, Cane } Vaa’i, S.Barrettm, P.Tuipulotu back up (Devan Flanders, Du'Plessis Kirifi )
9 {Roigard } Ratima ( TJ )
10 {D.McK} Perofeta ( Plummer)
12 {J.Barrett } ALB ( Q.Tupaea )
13 {Proctor} Ioane ( AJ Lam )
Ioane (off V England ) but Irish experience (NO not Sexton!)
14 { Tele’a} Reece (bkup W.Jordan )
11 {C.Clarke} Narawa (K.Naholo)
15 {W.Jordan} Love (Stevenson)
Go to commentsI guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
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