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'That is just agents looking for more money': Wasps outline their next move at No10 after losing Lima Sopoaga to Lyon

(Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)

Wasps boss Lee Blackett had insisted he won’t be going in the transfer market to find a replacement for the soon-to-exit Lima Sopoaga, the ex-All Blacks out-half who is leaving England behind for a stint in the Top 14 with Lyon. It was April 13 when Sopoaga, the 30-year-old playmaker capped on 16 occasions by New Zealand, confirmed on social media that he would be leaving Wasps following a three-season stay. 

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However, rather than dip into the market and sign someone else, Blackett has explained the club will now place every faith in youthful duo Jacob Umaga and Charlie Atkinson being their No10s for the next ten years. The Wasps boss also dismissed as unfounded the speculation linking Worcester’s Billy Searle with a return to Coventry where veteran New Zealander Jimmy Gopperth is still on the books and more than playing his part at the age of 37.   

Reflecting on the impending exit of Sopoaga, who first came to England in 2018, Blackett said: “There has been some highs and lows. He is a quality player and I’m sure he will be a success where he goes next. Unfortunately, it has come to the end and it happens. Look, he has added to the group, he has brought experience and we wish him and his family all the best.”

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Wales and Northampton out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Wales and Northampton out-half Dan Biggar guests on RugbyPass All Access

Asked how Wasps would fill the vacancy left by Sopoaga, who arrived as an out-half but will leave having spent more time lately playing at full-back, Blackett continued: “We won’t be looking at No10. If you are talking about the Billy Searle rumour we ain’t looking to recruit a 10, that is just agents looking for more money.

“Where we feel we are as a club in terms of the 10s, we have got Jimmy in behind and we have got Jacob who I feel he is returning to the form that I know he has. I know it was a disappointing team performance last weekend (at Exeter), especially the second half, but in terms of that Jacob showed signs again of getting back to his best.

“In terms of Jacob’s effort at the weekend, just in terms of running speed, Pete Atkinson said for the last five years he has not seen anyone run the distances Jacob ran, his explosive running during the game. If you have a look at all our breaks at the weekend he was there, he was on the back, he was chasing things back. His work rate was brilliant. I expect that from everyone, but it’s more his play around the field – I thought he was a threat. I thought he was making a lot fewer errors and he looks to be getting back to his form.

“And then Charlie, in the U23 game the other day stood out like a sore thumb. Even at 18, I thought he looked a class above out there. When you have got two 10s like that, for us to bring in and add a third 10 to it and an experienced guy you are probably delaying their development. 

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“We have worked hard on Charlie already so quickly and we know Jacob. Jacob at his very best is a standout Premiership 10 and you have got a youngster in Charlie who is showing great potential and is already pushing Jacob for selection – so to bring in someone over the top of that, would that stunt the growth of these two that we believe is the future for the next ten years? 

“If we were to bring someone in here, No10 would probably be their second position. It’s not something we are looking at at this moment of time but if we talk further down the line as a club in the future we would be looking at people that probably their second position is No10 covering behind because we are hoping Charlie and Jacob are our future now in the next ten years at least.”

 

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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