Will Wasps bounce back next season?

[Rugby09]

I was just wondering how you guys think Wasps will do next season?

They have been very unlucky with injuries this season and I guess that is the main reason they are down the wrong end of the table, but can you see that repeating itself next season or do you think they will be able to challenge for a top 6 place? There transfers so far - Palmer, Haskell, Thomas & Thomas look decent, do you think they will bring in anyone else?

 

[HenryChinaski]

Injuries is one reason, another would be not a strong enough squad. We need to wait and see if we can keep onto our other key players. If we start to lose guys liek Simpson, Wade and Wentzel, we could begin an irreversible decline. But, having Palmer and Haskell in is extremely positive, and may just persuade others to join our cause if asked.

We need to add to our options at 7. We can only justify keeping Ress on the payroll for so long, although he's a quality player who we really need. Poff is a good player, but if Rees stays injured Poff needs backup or vice versa. Everard isn't there yet/doesn;t have what it takes.

We still have a very young squad. If we hang on this season I can see us winning a couple more games next season, but it's a few seasons too early to bounce back, 6th would be an achievable goal.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If Wasps were looking for a 7 they could do worse than looking at Onosai Auva'a at Sale, as I think he'll be let go at the end of the season (which I will be gutted about, but I can't see us keeping 3 opensides on the books, as Auva'a was only brought in to cover for the injured Fourie).


I do think that Wasps misfortunes has come from their ridiculous amount of injuries - I think I heard, in their last match, they're missing an entire team through injuries now.
If they stay up (and I think they will) I think they'll do better next season. Probably not top 4, maybe not top 6, but won't be in a relegation fight.

 

[Peat]

A lot depends on their new owner, whoever he or she may be, and their ambitions imo. That aside, the injury list is the real killer, they look a decent enough team without it.

 

[Russdog]

they beat saracens in the the london double header in the first when they didn't have any injuries, bar tom rees who went out in the pre-season and they have had a lot of interest about buying the club so, as long as they stay up, a top 6 finish isn't out of the question.

 

[JW.]

According to the BBC Tom Rees has been forced to retire, such a shame.

 

[Rugby09]

Yea just read that article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17338508

That must be a bit of a blow!

 

[Rugby09]

Do you think Wasps will bring in another player to replace Rees or do they have enough players to cover?

 

[HenryChinaski]

Do you think Wasps will bring in another player to replace Rees or do they have enough players to cover?

With that salary portion freed up I definitely think we have to bring in a quality 7. In a sense anyone is a bonus as Rees was on the books the last couple of reasons but hardly played a game.

Without new investments, our backrow will be:
6: Haskell, Du Plessis, Launchbury, Birkett, Burton, Jones
7: Poff, Everard, Harris...
8: Hart, Haskell, Vunipola, Burton, Jones

Just like pretty much any English team we are sorted at 6. This makes me think either we will start playing Launhbury at lock even more to get him in the squad, or (God fordbid), Dai Young will decide that Haskell is someone who can also play 7 a bit if needed, cram launchbury at 6 with du plessis on the bench, or vice versa, put haskell at 7. I think whether we get a new 7 all depends on wasps judgment on Haskell's ability to cover other positions. To be fair, although he is a 6, there are worse people to put at 7, because he's a decent scavenger, but he's not really present enough at breakdowns to count on in the same way as a natural 7.

In general, there are too many of those players either sh*te(birkett, hart, everard) or still in nappies(burton, jones, harris, everard).
Seymour please, Olly.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Jog on


But like I said above: if we release Auva'a then Wasps should get straight on the phone trying to sign him, he's a quality 7.

 

[HenryChinaski]

Jog on


But like I said above: if we release Auva'a then Wasps should get straight on the phone trying to sign him, he's a quality 7.

Hand over the goods mate, Seymour never liked you much anyway. But nah that's interesting. I'll do some nerdsearch about Auva'a. Does he get bench game-time? If so I'll definitely look to watch Sales next televised game.