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The Wasps selection dilemma after 'right decision' to omit Fekitoa

(Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Wasps boss Lee Blackett has admitted he has given himself a selection headache for this Saturday’s Challenge Cup semi-final at Lyon following last weekend’s decision to omit ex-All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa for family reasons.

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With his career at the English club nearing the end as he is set to switch to Munster in Ireland for the 2022/23 season, Fekitoa was anxious to take on Edinburgh in last Saturday’s quarter-final following an injury-hit season that has restricted him to just nine appearances across all four competitions his club has played in.  

However, Wasps felt it best that he stayed at home to help care for his new-born daughter, a choice that allowed the unheralded Sam Spink to start in Scotland and his performance in the late-secured win has left now Blackett pondering if he should stick with the rookie 22-year-old for the game in France or recall the 2015 World Cup winner who last year became eligible to play at Test level for his native Tonga.  

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“His daughter was born six weeks early,” said Blackett, explaining the situation that led to Wasps leaving Fekitoa at home for last week’s quarter-final. “It’s a little bit easier if you are English and you have got family here to make that decision (to play). 

“But when you are over here (from abroad) and you are over here on your own, there was no other decision really to make. Family is the most important thing. As much as Mala wanted to play, it was the right decision for him and his family.” 

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This enforced absence of Fekitoa, though, from the Wasps line-up allowed Spink to shine and it will be interesting to see which player Blackett now backs to start in Lyon when their semi-final XV is publicly named at noon on Friday. “I thought he [Spink] played really well. I have been really happy with him throughout the season, he put in a really good performance and he is making that decision at 13 a difficult one this week.

“Do you go with the experience of the guy that has been there and done it on the biggest stage, we’re talking about being in World Cups and winning World Cups, or do you go with a guy who has shown a lot of form and played really well and got us there? It will be a difficult decision.”   

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SK 22 minutes ago
Why England's defence of the realm has crumbled without Felix Jones

The way they are defending is sometime pathetic to be honest. Itoje is usually on the inside of the rush and he is paired with a slower tight forward. Unable to keep up with the rush we have seen the line become disconnected on the inside where the big boys are. How many times have we seen Earl rush past the first receiver almost into no mans land covering no attacker. It looks like a system without any guidance. Tome Wright, Ikitau and a number of Wallabies went back to this soft centre as did Williams, Jordan and several others. Also when the line is broken the multiple lines of defence seems to be missing. The rush is predicated on a cover and recovery system with multiple lines of defence but with England you dont see it any more. Fitness and conditioning seems to be off as well as players are struggling to keep up with the intensity of the rush. Felix Jones has left a huge hole. The whole situation was and is a mess. Why they insist on not letting him go and having him work remotely is beyond me. Its leading to massive negative press and is a hot button issue thats distracting from the squad. Also the communication around Jones and his role has been absolute rubbish and is totally disjointed. While some say he is working remotely and playing a role others are saying theres been no contact. His role has not been defined and so people keep asking and keep getting different answers. England need a clean break from him and need to start over. Whatever reason for his leaving its time to cut the rope before the saga drags the whole Borthwick regime down. As for Joe El Abd well good luck to him. He is being made to look like an amateur by the whole saga and he is being asked to coach a system thats not his and which has been perfected and honed since 2017 by Nienaber, Jones, Erasmus and Co and which was first started by White in 2004. He is literally trying to figure out a system pioneered by double world cup winning coaches at the highest level and coach it at the same time. Talk about being on a hiding to nothing.

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