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'Ah bollocks!' and 'Superb signing': Koch transfer stirs emotions

09 Dec 2021

(Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

BT Sport rugby commentator Nick Mullins reckons the decision of Springboks prop Vincent Koch to leave Saracens for Wasps will be just one of plenty of big-name moves as clubs in the English top-flight look to get their salary caps in order ahead of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.

The 31-year-old South African has been a firm favourite of Saracens fans since his arrival in London in 2016, the World-Cup winning prop even playing for the club in last season’s Championship title-winning campaign.

However, just weeks after the switch of George Ford from Leicester to Sale lit up the Premiership grapevine, the news that Koch is heading to Wasps next season has had a similarly busy reaction online.

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It was at 11.45am on Thursday when Saracens admitted they had lost their man, tweeting: “Thank you, Vinnie. We can today confirm that @vincentkoch1 will be leaving the club at the end of the season.”

This was followed by the noon confirmation from Wasps that Koch would be their new tighthead next season. “Welcome to Wasps… Mr Incredible x Vincent Koch,” they posted with a video accompanying the news of their Premiership transfer coup.

ok so it turns out vincent koch looks more like mr incredible before you photoshop the costume on https://t.co/cBjZxbyYzf
— Roarz (@Roarzz) December 9, 2021

Mullins, who covers the league for UK rights holders BT Sport, soon tweeted: “Prepare for plenty of big-name moves like Vincent Koch’s. Trimming the Premiership wage cap to £5m/year and cutting back to just one marquee player means most will be busy re-shaping their squads and off-loading high-earners over the next couple of seasons.”

Numerous fans gave their reaction to the deal taking Koch from London to Coventry, Saracens understandably showing their disappointment and Wasps supporters cheering from the rooftops. Stand up comedian, actor, writer Hal Cruttenden, a high profile Saracens supporter, said: “Ah bollocks! Great player who I think I always underrated because he had too nice a face for a prop.”

Another Sarries fan added: “Absolutely gutted with this news. With the rumours of Mako (Vunipola) as well, don’t look good for the future.” Another tweet read: “Like many Sarries supporters I’m gutted to hear Vincent Koch is leaving. He has contributed immeasurably to Saracens’ success. He’ll be a huge asset to Wasps.”

Fans of the Coventry-based club were naturally thrilled with their singing. One tweeted: “Could ever only see Vincent Koch leave Sarries for Sale with his best mate there….how wrong was I!?”

Another reckoned: “Superb signing for Wasps, one-third of the bomb squad. He really is the real deal, a signing of intent by Wasps. I feel Saracens may regret this one although you never know what they have in the pipeline. He is at the top of his game entering his prime.”

Prepare for plenty of big-name moves like Vincent Koch's. Trimming the Premiership wage cap to £5m/year and cutting back to just one marquee player means most will be busy re-shaping their squads and off-loading high-earners over the next couple of seasons.
— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) December 9, 2021

Ah bollocks! Great player who I think I always underrated because he had too nice a face for a prop.
— Hal Cruttenden (@Halcruttenden) December 9, 2021

Vincent Koch off to Wasps next season ?
— Mark Simpson (@SimmoNo9) December 9, 2021

TRANSFER: Vincent Koch has called time on his long stint with Saracens#Wasps #Saracens #GallagherPrem #Springboks https://t.co/vOoC2NDSOh
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 9, 2021

Very strange for Saracens to let 100 cap player Vincent Koch go to Wasps. Must have been huge £££ involved for them because he's a guy you build a team around and entering his prime!
— Sportbilly (@sportbillysays) December 9, 2021

Could ever only see Vincent Koch leave Sarries for Sale with his best mate there….how wrong was I!? https://t.co/QQutlvM4Ft
— David Du P (@wiehanndup) December 9, 2021

Superb signing for Wasps, one third of the bomb squad. He really is the real deal, a signing of intent by Wasps. I feel Saracens may regret this one although you never know what they have in the pipeline but he’s at the top of his game entering his prime #VincentKoch #tighthead https://t.co/RFrZ91x7rC
— Graeme Peacock (@graemepeacock05) December 9, 2021

Big News from Wasps?!
Can't wait to see his blockbusting runs in an already dynamic Wasps pack??#Wasps #GallagherPrem #VincentKoch https://t.co/gKyOTdtUEt
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) December 9, 2021

https://twitter.com/OBJosh88/status/1468922079382749188

This is just the man Wasps need. Since Kieran Brookes left, their scrum has undoubtedly struggled. Surprised to see Koch leave Saracens but it’s a real statement signing for Wasps, landing a world class operator in a key area where they needed strengthening. https://t.co/1Ktt6FrV12
— Bobby Bridge (@bobby_bridge) December 9, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 7 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 7 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 7 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 7 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 7 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 7 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍