Wasps v Sale preview

By Ali G
March 21 2005

Five defeats in six games played with a reduced contingent have put a bit of dent in Sale's hopes of a top three finish. It's still possible, but wins are vital, especially against the teams also challenging. Ali G looks forward to one such game against the team just above us...

Ok – Six nations all over and time to quickly move on to club matters again.

We all have them – those magical Rugby moments stored in the memory bank never forgotten. For me two of those magical moments involved players present and past in the ranks of our visitors this week, Wasps.

Firstly the shuddering exocet-style tackle imposed on Matt Rogers by Josh Lewsey in a Cook Cup encounter with Australia. Mr Rodgers has confessed that he has never been able to participate in his beloved sport of Surfing since that incident. Equally memorable the look on Clement Poitrenaud’s face when Rob Howley grounded the ball in the last minute against Toulouse to win the Heineken cup at Twickenham last season.

However the season for our guests so far has not been as smooth as they would have liked. Wasps have a quick result indicator on there web site, basically if they win a match there is a green rugby ball against the fixture, if they lose there is a crimson ball. There are a lot of crimson Rugby balls on that table.

Defeats against Sale, Worcester, Bath and Newcastle in the ZP and disaster in their attempt to defend the Heineken Cup. Rob Howley has sadly retired due to a wrist injury.Coach Gatland has announced his plans to return home at the end of the season. It has to be said the WASPS sting is not as sharp this season compared with last

But, still, they are a position above us and you get the feeling they are ready to turn on the afterburner just when it matters.

Love them or hate them you have to respect them and last season they were machine-like in their drive to collect trophies. This season they are our main rivals for 2^nd place. They have it in them to turn on the skills right at the end of the season and, due to the play off scenario, it is feasible for them to retain the championship.

The protests of Tigers fans will fall on deaf ears should this occur the same as last season for the Bath fans and prior to that the Gloucester supporters.

Both Sale and Wasps are aiming at the same target: The ZP Final at Twickenham.

Wasps will feel they owe us a beating for the early season win at the Causeway stadium.

It would be a great achievement for us to win Home and Away against these opponents. They, along with Tigers, are the benchmark that other ZP teams use to measure performance. If you can live with Wasps then you’re not doing too badly.

Could this Friday’s match be the rehearsal for the ZP Final Playoff?

It should be a Stormer!!!!