Wasps
WASPS V WORCESTER: MATCH PREVIEW
By Dobbin
September 17 2009
So here we are, two games into the season, eight points to the good, top of the league and approaching our first proper home game of the season. What could possibly go wrong? Well, if previous matches against Worcester are anything to go by, plenty. Last year they did the double over us, winning both games by a single point. In ten Premiership clashes between the two teams, it's four wins apiece and two draws, including a scintillating 3-3 stalemate in 2007 that you'd have to say was strictly for the purists. Come to that, even the purists were probably split on that one.
Worcester are one of those cussed, dogged, annoyingly in-yer-face teams that you really don't enjoy coming up against. Promoted to the Premiership for the 2004/5 season, they've succeeded where other teams have failed, making their elevation to the top-flight stick and avoiding the yo-yo-ing that has afflicted the Leeds, Bristols and Rotherhams of the world. For that, they owe much to benefactor Cecil Duckworth, inventor of the combi-boiler. It seems apt, and this is in no way meant disparagingly, that whereas some clubs' owners owe their fortune to pop music, high finance or technology, Worcester's owner made his mint in plumbery. Down to earth, no frills, what you see is what you get – that's Worcester.
In this, they are epitomised by their ferociously competitive (and combative) captain Pat Sanderson, one of the grizzled old veterans of the Premiership. He's an openside flanker in the Paul Volley mould, one of those men who, instead than taking a backward step, would rather turn the earth round so that they're facing the right way. You come around to his way of thinking, or you remain in the wrong. I seem to remember he and Lawrence having some interesting encounters over the years!
Also in the Worcester pack is arch lineout operator Craig Gillies, no doubt delighted that the ELV allowing different numbers in the lineout has been kicked into the long grass. Whereas last year teams were able to nullify (to a certain extent) Gillies' effectiveness by packing the lineout with jumping options, this year expect him to be back to his poaching best. Rob Webber and co, look out.
Look out, also, for the Worcester scrum. In the first week they had Northampton in all sorts of trouble (as did their aggressive defence, Saints dominating possession but only winning with a last minute Paul Diggin try). Given our travails at the scrum in the first two games, this is undoubtedly an area that Worcester will look to target.
In the backs, Worcester have quality players in former Australia full-back Chris Latham, wings Miles Benjamin and Marcel Garvey, and up-and-coming Scottish centre Alex Grove. With Willy Walker organising from fly-half and kicking goals for fun, you underestimate Worcester at your peril (underestimation being a peril that has afflicted Wasps memorably down the years – West Hartlepool, anyone? Pertemps Bees?).
Wasps have made a solid start to the season, claiming good wins against Harlequins and Bath. Three tries in each game signals a vast improvement over our frequently blunt attack last term, but a failure to score any points in the second half down at the Rec acts as a reminder that there's plenty of work still to do. Nevertheless, the form of Joe Simpson, Tom Varndell and co can't help but infect even the most pessimistic supporter (which is what I am) with a sense of optimism.
Worcester's narrow defeat in the first week was followed by a twenty point victory over Leeds last Friday. This early in the season, it's still difficult to know how much you can read into results, but it certainly doesn't look as though Worcester are going to be the whipping boys that many predicted. If history means anything at all, Wasps certainly won't find them that way.
I'm tempted to predict an opposition win, given that it seemed to work against Bath last week, but home advantage and that new found precision in attack points to a Wasps win: victory by 7
KEY MEN
Wasps: Rob Webber – accurate throwing in the lineout and improved scrummaging are a must against Worcester's set-piece.
Worcester: Pat Sanderson – leads from the front, annoys the hell out of the opposition, and with the new interpretations at the ruck is in prime position to fight for turnover ball.
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Stumbleupon17/09/2009 11:07
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Only difference I think it will be by no more than 3 points.
Roger
High quality stuff.
KevinTheB
www.justgiving.com/kevinbroadbent
17/09/2009 13:40
I'd like to think us by more like 10 points but as you say - never underestimate Wuss.
I'll take a win any way it comes - 3 from 3 and heading to the MadStad with the chance of really making early strides towards top 4 would be great.
Wuss are starting to look a very useful side - their pack is shaping up well - is Mullan fit?
but the backs are where they have been weak over the years but now King & Grove are a very useful centre pair, walk is a nice solid 10 and there's class through the back 3. Even without Tuitopu & Gear there's enough to worry about.
Excellent stuff Dobbin, really good to see some positive words written about us for a change lol
still think pest's by 5 though!
if we have shawsie Viks and that naughty Boy Tim Payne we should have enough at scrum time, certainly an issue will be the lineout.
Missing "two fingers" Lemi is a blow but an opportunity for the youngsters.
WE need to avoid giving away Penalties as Willie Walker is on song unlike our previous two opponents kickers.
We will be going in with confidence so I predict more than 7 but not much more
Can't wait to get back to a proper Rugby ground with a proper seat after Twickers and the plug hole......
.
Looking forward to a great day out on the terraces just not looking forward to the prices of the drinks
Agree that a lot will depend on how much clean bell we get. Have to remember that Wuss lost to Saints and it looks as if win over Leeds might not be telling us much. Their pre season form wasn't that great.
On the other hand in both our games there have been unanswered questions: 14 man Quins, the battle to keep Bath out in second half, Tim's infingment issues.
This is really tough to predict but I think it's a fair bet that Wasps will manage 2 or 3 tries somehow. I have been impressed by Wuss wingers though and we'll see whether we can contain them. I think it might be a slightly higher scoring game than some between these two.
Wuss to give us lots of trouble in set scrums and lineouts but Wasps to get home by about 9 points.
The fear of loss is a path to the Dark Side. - Yoda
