Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Unpunished Premiership eye-gouge 'a lot worse' than Paul Willemse incident claims Blackett

Paul Willemse /Getty

Wasps boss Lee Blackett admits it is a “hard one to take” that Newcastle wing Mateo Carreras was not spotted allegedly gouging wing Josh Bassett and believes it was worse than the offence which saw French lock Paul Willemse sent off against Wales.

ADVERTISEMENT

Although Wasps wing Bassett complained about the incident during their win over Newcastle at Kingston Park on Friday, it was not referred to the television match official and no action was taken. As yet, there is no indication that retrospective action is being considered.

Blackett addressed the incident today in the wake of Willemse’s sending off for gouging Welsh prop Wyn Jones and said: “I struggle with the amount of time they had for that not to be picked up live. The first time I saw it (played back) was in a BT interview and it is thrown on me and I was quite reserved. Josh Bassett claimed he spoke to the assistant referees and mentioned it a couple of times and its not looked at. I find that a bit of a hard one take especially as we are all about protecting our players.

Video Spacer

Ferris talks to Jim on The Offload:

Video Spacer

Ferris talks to Jim on The Offload:

“The French incident was completely different and it is hard to know what he (Carreras) was thinking against us but one looks a lot worse than the other for me.”

The incident was spotted by the BT Sports team at the game with former England international Austin Healey saying: “We can see exactly what you’ve done with your middle finger. You’ve had a little scratch there. Now that is naughty. It’s cheeky. That’s contact with the eye. People call it gouging.”

Blackett has Paolo Odogwu back in camp after 11 weeks away with England during which he did not gain a first cap. The Wasps coach is hoping the win can recapture the form that saw him included in the England squad shortly after Italy showed interest in him. Blackett added: “If his confidence has been affected – and I don’t think it has – we will do our best to pick him up.

“He will come back hungry having learned a few things and I imagine he is a little frustrated and he wants to get out there and I hope 11 weeks without a game hasn’t taken anything away from the form he showed before he went away.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Franco Smith (Italy coach) hasn’t be on but he probably should do!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

J
JW 3 hours ago
Why NZR's Ineos settlement may be the most important victory they'll enjoy this year

I wouldn’t think the risk is cash flow, as they have large cash reserves they said all through covid.


I suspect the author has it completely wrong as it pertains to the pool as well, because I can’t see the contracts of players changing year to year like revenue does.


I’d imagine there is an agreed principle to a ‘forecast’ figure of revenue for a cyclical period, and this is what 37% or whatever of is used for player salaries. So it would not change whatever that figure is until the next cycle. Cash flow, as you said, would be the main factor, but as they aren’t paid all it once, they’d not be hindered in this manor I don’t believe. Of all the references I’ve seen of a the player pool agreement, not once have I seen any detail on how the amount is determined.


But yes, that would be a very reasoned look at the consequences, especially compared those I’ve seen in articles on this site. Even with turnonver north of $350 million a year, 20 is still a sizeable chunk. Like this RA’s broadcast deal, they might have smaller sponsorship for a short period to align with everything else, then look to develop the deal further heading into the Lions tour cycle? Perhaps trying to take a deal from low to high like that is unlikely to a long term investor, and NZR want to get a good shortterm deal now so they can capitalize on growth for the Lions (i’m assuming that series has consequences on more than just broadcast deals right).

16 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ How the Gallagher Premiership has become rugby's go-to league for thrill seekers How the Gallagher Premiership has become rugby's go-to league for thrill seekers
Search