Worcester suffer 16th successive Premiership defeat despite red card for Wasps' Ben Morris
Wasps overcame the sending off of Ben Morris to battle back and beat Worcester 23-19 in the Gallagher Premiership. The hosts trailed 19-16 when Morris saw red for a dangerous tackle with 13 minutes to go, but Tommy Taylor’s try secured Wasps a win that kept them in contention for a place in next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.
It was Worcester 16th successive league defeat and their 14th in this fixture - but having trailed 13-3 at the interval, they rattled Wasps with a stirring second-half revival and were pressing for victory at the end. Worcester scored first with a Billy Searle penalty after two minutes, but Wasps were ahead soon after as Brad Shields touched down for the game’s first try.
The visitors had to bring on three replacements in the first 30 minutes. Their two props – Ethan Waller, who suffered a head injury tackling Gabriel Oghre, and Richard Palframan, who lasted three minutes before leaving the field holding his arm – were among the casualties while Wasps lost their tighthead prop Biyi Alo after 27 minutes.
The disruptions, heavy rain and two out-of-form teams made for an error-riddled opening half. Wasps dominated territorially, playing for position through their half-backs, but failed to build on their early try. Two Jacob Umaga penalties gave them a 13-3 interval lead but it was a poor reward for their possession and their overwhelming superiority in the scrum. Josh Bassett knocked on over the line as he tried to field a Dan Robson chip and Matt Kvesic twice relieved sieges on Worcester’s line.
The Warriors mounted their first attack in the 40th minute after a Perry Humphreys kick earned a five-metre scrum, but they were penalised for pushing too early. Worcester emerged for the second period armed with intent and purpose, though, and they were ahead within 15 minutes.
Searle and Umaga exchanged penalties before Worcester scored a try from a lineout. The England centre Ollie Lawrence, a replacement for the injured Ashley Beck, and his co-centre Francois Venter had caused problems with their running angles and when Niall Annett received the ball after his throw was palmed by Justin Clegg, Venter’s outside line wrong-footed the defence.
Wasps were rattled and their discipline melted. They fell behind to two Searle penalties in two minutes before flanker Morris was sent off for a high tackle on Lawrence. However, it focused their minds and after they had brought on forward Sione Vailanu for back Zach Kibirige, Taylor scored from a driving maul to restore their lead. Worcester finished the match on the attack despite having Sam Lewis sent to the sin-bin, but Wasps held on.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
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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