Wasps' verdict on winger Paolo Odogwu's rare four-game run as their starting No13
Paolo Odogwu returns to his more recognised role on the wing on Saturday for Wasps, but coach Lee Blackett has declared himself satisfied with how the 23-year-old fared at outside centre in a rare run of four consecutive starts at No13 following a two-try cameo off the Premiership bench in that position in November.
With former All Blacks midfielder Malakai Fekitoa absent since injury in the October 2019/20 Premiership semi-final win over Bristol, Wasps initially turned to former Springboks centre Juan de Jongh to take on the responsibility.
However, Odogwu caught the eye in a 25-minute appearance from the Wasps bench in a league loss to Gloucester and he went on to start at No13 in Premiership outings against Newcastle and Sale either side of European assignments versus Dragons and Montpellier.
With Zach Kibirige having suffered a terrible-looking concussion at Sharks last Sunday, Odogwu now reverts to the wing for this weekend’s clash versus league champions Exeter – de Jongh comes back in at No13 for his 50th Premiership appearance for the club.
Odogwu, though, has given coach Blackett plenty to chew over after his use at midfield led to an encouraging increase in the level of his involvements in games, a discovery that had more to do with injury providing the opportunity.
"There are still question marks here in terms of will he need surgery"
– It was a costly visit to Sale for Wasps despite their win. Lee Blackett delivers their latest medical bulletin #GallagherPremhttps://t.co/0uudcnP8Vo
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 29, 2020
“It was probably when we took a couple of injuries,” said Blackett, reflecting on why he opted to give Odogwu his recent extended run at No13. “Paolo has spent the last year and a bit mainly being on the wing but covering a little at 13. When you look at someone like Malakai and what he brings… if you think generally what has been our midfield you have had Jacob (Umaga) at 10 and you have got a playmaker at 12 (Jimmy Gopperth), Malakai’s game has given us great difference in the middle.
“He has given us great physicality and a ball-carrying edge, so Malakai is pretty key to the way we play. We felt the nearest person to him was Paolo to give us that physical presence at 13 in the ball carry and we feel he has done that. We feel he has done a pretty good job. There are loads of little things to keep improving but he has given us that physical presence we are looking for as a 13.
“One thing I have always said about Paolo is with the ball he is difficult to tackle but one of the things me and him have spoken about is how we can get his involvements higher as a winger. At 13 we have managed to get him more involved so we have seen him more. That has probably always been Paolo’s biggest weakness, his number of involvements with the ball because that is one of his biggest strengths.
“He has managed to get that as a 13 but yeah, it’s different defensively. I have been pretty pleased with him in terms of that. He is pretty good over the ball and to go there in back-to-back performances, I have been pretty satisfied with what he has brought. He has given us that presence we need in that 13 jersey.”
“I just had to remind him if he wants a career like Jimmy Gopperth, get yourself out of there pal"
– Wasps' Charlie Atkinson has bounced back from getting flattened by Owen Farrell, but youthful enthusiasm kinks need ironing out #GallagherPrem https://t.co/gkJlUsWPpF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 30, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
The Crusaders can't buy a win this season. Surely Penney's contract won't be renewed. There's still enough talent in the squad that they oughta be winning more.
1 Go to commentsABs captain for 23 seasons. Decent record. Surely nobody will surpass it. Legend. But alas a typo…
1 Go to commentsJust FYI Rugbypass, I for one am tired of your clickbait titles and thumbnails and will be clicking them no longer. Good day.
1 Go to commentsI think Farrell despite all of the stick he gets in the media is still one of if not the best fly half in the world. He is literally the full package. He can kick one of the best in the world, probably has the best defensive game of a fly half in the world and if he wants to he can run, take contact and find an offload to keep the pace of the attack. I dont know why he isnt spoken more about still being one of the best in the world with the likes of dupont. Farrell is the ultimate captain and team leader and is experienced- he has been in nearly any situation you can think of. I still believe due to these reasons that he is England’s best ever player and is still one of the best players in the world.
48 Go to commentsBlues are dominating up front and that’s been a long time coming. They have won the up front confrontation which is where canes, hilanders and act brumbies are also strong.
3 Go to commentsJust watched brumbies v safas game sadly not a show in he’ll thryr anywhere near quarters or semi contention. Admittedly some issues around new comers bot what stands out for me is coaching management, poor game planning and accuracy.
5 Go to commentsOne tough SOB!
16 Go to commentsI’ve put on 4/5 kilos since the beginning of the season too. Not good kilos. Bad kilos.
3 Go to commentsSurely there’s a ‘no knobheads’ policy ?
2 Go to commentsWallaroos have no chance of beating the Black Ferns unless Canada upsets them in Christchurch tomorrow but I doubt that as well!
1 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Could the victim do a course to reverse the long term CTE damage from the cheapshot?
2 Go to commentsTruely great player. In social media and opinion pieces he was held up and flogged for the results. People wanted someone to crucify, and he was the captain. He was still an immense presence respected by his peers. His battles with Siya Kolisi belong up with with Collins vs Burger in my opinion. Unlucky to be carded in the final, but I don’t agree that his red card was the defining moment. Not when you look at the dominant performances of the Springboks (PSDT in particular.) I think Cane should be remembered for the spirit and physicality that is special to test rugby.
16 Go to commentsSam was the man until he got injured .
16 Go to comments_Crusaders versus Leinster _at the moment might be a rout! But I would like to see the Blues play Toulouse, the Hurricanes front up against Stade Francais, and the Chiefs go against Toulon.
157 Go to commentsLove it when we overlap! Promise it was not forethought.
19 Go to commentsjfc can this guy plz stay out of the news for one week
2 Go to commentsIf stormers aren’t available. Based on form and likely availability at the time of the wales Test, you’d think Masuku would be a no-brainer to start. But starting Jordan also makes sense having Masuku come off the bench to close out the game.
2 Go to commentsGlad Tom Curry not playing needs time to recover such a great player also his brother Ben how well is he playing now .
1 Go to commentsLet’s examine what might be irking the brainless E: Up until 20 years before this coming Julys tests: 16 games: 14 wins for SA; 1 win for Ire; 1 draw From 20 years until July’ tests Ireland V SA: 13 matches Ireland won 8; SA won 4; 1 draw Points scored Ireland 261; SA 189 Ave Winning Margin: Ireland 11 points; SA 4 points (away 3, home 6) Away win record: Ireland 33.33%; SA 25% Neutral matches 1: Ireland win RWC France 2023. Last SA win June 2016 (8 years ago) They boast 3 World cups in that period (they do boast). The above record is not good, probably not much better than theirs against NZ for same period. That’s why the dopey E is starting fights in his head. He will probably ship a yellow when things don’t go their way in the first test.
127 Go to commentsGoode is like a wet fart on The Rugby Pod and should be shoved aside. Jim knows what he is on about and can get on better without Goode’s nasty little cheap shots.
127 Go to comments