The back garden rivalry that has Wasps' Jack Willis on cusp of England call-up after semi-final heroics
Wasps boss Lee Blackett has spoken about the sibling rivalry that has fired up Jack Willis and left the back row on the cusp of England honours after helping his club qualify for the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership final.
The try-scoring Willis walked away from the Ricoh Arena on Saturday as the semi-final man of the match following Wasps’ comprehensive 47-24 win over Bristol and beaming coach Blackett revealed in the aftermath how sibling rivalry has helped to spur the 23-year-old’s game on to new heights since the post-lockdown resumption of rugby in England.
“The scary thing, which I keep saying, is he is going to get better,” said Blackett in a post-match interview with BT Sport. “He has been outstanding. You just have to look at the number of turnovers he gets during the game, but he has added to his game. Look at the leg drive.
“It was said a couple of years ago there was a big competition between the two brothers, who was the better carrier? People said Tom (his 21-year-old brother who plays No8) was and that fired Jack up a little bit to work more on this side of the ball. Just look at his desire to get on the end (to score).
“He is a big defensive leader for us, so a big round of applause. I can’t say enough for him,” continued Blackett, revealing the back garden dynamics in the Willis household growing up. “That was it, Jack tackled, Tom carried. And then Jack generally got up and stole the ball off him. That’s generally how it worked on the back garden.”
"I've just got to keep working hard and improving as a player and hopefully that opportunity comes one day."
Wasps' Jack Willis admits that a future with England is driving him on after a superb man-of-the-match display vs. Bristol Bears ?#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/QgkkFAKdYw
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 10, 2020
Later in a separate interview, Blackett said Willis was ready for England. “I don’t think Jack needs to do anything. He has put himself out there and it is now up to Eddie if he wants to select him. I don’t think he is the finished product. He has always been unbelievable over the ball – ever since he was tackling his brother in the back garden. His breakdown work is phenomenal.”
It was only last February when Blackett because head coach in the wake of the departure of long-serving director of rugby Dai Young. Since then, Wasps have won a dozen of their 14 league games and they now head to Twickenham on October 24 for a first final since 2017 when they lost to Exeter after extra-time.
“It was some performance,” said Blackett after Bristol were sent packing. “They had me pretty speechless there. We have just spoken there now how this isn’t our final and not to celebrate like a final. It’s (only) part of the process of getting ourselves there and we need to make sure we look after ourselves.
“I know that sounds a little bit negative but it wasn’t meant in that way, it was meant in a positive way because potentially when you play in this (a semi-final) and you come away with a performance like we did today, you play your final in the semi and that’s not what we’re about.
“I’m absolutely delighted. We’re going to enjoy it. Why wouldn’t we? But we have got a big game coming up in a few weeks.”
TEAM. WORK.
A thrilling move from @WaspsRugby! ???#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/rpD0hG7CHY
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) October 10, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments