Worcester suffer 16th successive Premiership defeat despite red card for Wasps' Ben Morris
Wasps overcame the sending off of Ben Morris to battle back and beat Worcester 23-19 in the Gallagher Premiership. The hosts trailed 19-16 when Morris saw red for a dangerous tackle with 13 minutes to go, but Tommy Taylor’s try secured Wasps a win that kept them in contention for a place in next season’s Heineken Champions Cup.
It was Worcester 16th successive league defeat and their 14th in this fixture – but having trailed 13-3 at the interval, they rattled Wasps with a stirring second-half revival and were pressing for victory at the end. Worcester scored first with a Billy Searle penalty after two minutes, but Wasps were ahead soon after as Brad Shields touched down for the game’s first try.
The visitors had to bring on three replacements in the first 30 minutes. Their two props – Ethan Waller, who suffered a head injury tackling Gabriel Oghre, and Richard Palframan, who lasted three minutes before leaving the field holding his arm – were among the casualties while Wasps lost their tighthead prop Biyi Alo after 27 minutes.
The disruptions, heavy rain and two out-of-form teams made for an error-riddled opening half. Wasps dominated territorially, playing for position through their half-backs, but failed to build on their early try. Two Jacob Umaga penalties gave them a 13-3 interval lead but it was a poor reward for their possession and their overwhelming superiority in the scrum. Josh Bassett knocked on over the line as he tried to field a Dan Robson chip and Matt Kvesic twice relieved sieges on Worcester’s line.
The Warriors mounted their first attack in the 40th minute after a Perry Humphreys kick earned a five-metre scrum, but they were penalised for pushing too early. Worcester emerged for the second period armed with intent and purpose, though, and they were ahead within 15 minutes.
'Half my mates who have already retired say, ‘Don’t retire. Do as much as you can because it’s hard on the other side’
Staying fit at 38 ?
Giving up All Blacks dream ?
How rugby changed ?
The kick that haunts him ?@jimmygopps talks to @heagneyl ???https://t.co/5u0qxKNIOE— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) April 25, 2021
Searle and Umaga exchanged penalties before Worcester scored a try from a lineout. The England centre Ollie Lawrence, a replacement for the injured Ashley Beck, and his co-centre Francois Venter had caused problems with their running angles and when Niall Annett received the ball after his throw was palmed by Justin Clegg, Venter’s outside line wrong-footed the defence.
Wasps were rattled and their discipline melted. They fell behind to two Searle penalties in two minutes before flanker Morris was sent off for a high tackle on Lawrence. However, it focused their minds and after they had brought on forward Sione Vailanu for back Zach Kibirige, Taylor scored from a driving maul to restore their lead. Worcester finished the match on the attack despite having Sam Lewis sent to the sin-bin, but Wasps held on.
"There are 20 players leaving the club at the end of the season… that has certainly been really tough, some tough conversations"
@JonThom82 on the work behind the scenes & the hard calls needed as they rebuild @WorcsWarriors squad, writes @heagneyl ???https://t.co/gjCIa18pmc
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
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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 commentsBrumbies will win, crusaders are pretty awful this year
1 Go to commentsThis has the makings of a good match. That’s Leinster’s second team but its a good one (stronger than the teams in SA recently). Ulster are really turning a page. Ryan back is huge, and Keenan too. This could be a cracker.
1 Go to comments