Wasps explain Barbeary op logic, give verdict on Koch's first week
Wasps have explained why they decided to have the hamstring injury sustained by England hopeful Alfie Barbeary operated on rather than allow him to go through a non-surgical rehab that would have seen him back on the field quicker.
The recently turned 22-year-old looked tasty in his opening matches this season versus Gloucester and Bristol, but he limped off 60 minutes into that later appearance last month and coach Lee Blackett reported at the time that the back-rower was looking at between a ten and 16-week layoff, dashing his hopes of involvement with England in the Autumn Nations Series.
It was last week when Barbeary posted a picture on his Instagram showing him on crutches being discharged from the Prince Grace Hospital in London and Wasps boss Blackett explained at his media briefing ahead of this Sunday’s game at home to Northampton why it was decided that the youngster required surgery.
“When I was saying ten to 16 weeks after the game (versus Bath on September 23), there was a decision to be made whether he had the operation or not. The operation was the higher bandwidth. For recurrence and the chances of it we decided it was best that he had the operation.”
Blackett was asked if this was the type of procedure that Barbeary had done before on his hamstring, but he wasn’t fully sure. “I probably should know 100 per cent. I believe he had similar in the academy but I’m not 100 per cent on that. But I believe when he was an 18-year-old in the academy he might have done.
“The percentage difference between reoccurrence was a lot less (by having an operation). It was far higher if we did it the conservative way. Yes, he would have been back quicker but there was a bigger chance of a reoccurrence so this way is a lot less.”
While Barbeary will be absent for Wasps for the foreseeable future, they have been boosted this week by the arrival of Springboks tighthead Vincent Koch. It was last December when the South African agreed to join from Saracens but it was only this week that he started work at Wasps due to his Rugby Championship commitments.
First impressions? “He will be available for Sunday. He came in and did his first scrum session Wednesday and his first full team session out there. He did Tuesday’s session as well but our main session, he did his first one Wednesday. It’s an exciting time having him in the environment. A quality player. Quality person as well."
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Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
Go to commentsIt 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).
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