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Tue 27 Sep 2016 | 01:52
Danny Cipriani brilliance sets up outstanding Jimmy Gopperth try

7
Comments

Danny Cipriani was at the heart of a stunning Wasps try as they beat Northampton Saints 20-15 away at the weekend. While most players might have kicked from that position, it was the former England number ten's attacking instinct that kicked in, resulting in a length of the field score.

The chip ahead, regather and pass was perfectly executed, linking well with Guy Thompson before Kiwi veteran Jimmy Gopperth sprinted away from George North for a thoroughly enjoyable try.

"Danny’s got real X-factor. That try showed great vision," said coach Dai Young, who has been playing Cipriani at ten and former flyhalf Gopperth, now 33, at twelve in what has proved a strong combination.

Gopperth ended the match with a personal tally of 15 points as Wasps went top of the table.

Posted By: Grant Constable

7 Comments

  • stroudos
    12:42 PM 28/09/2016

    I'm very surprised by those Rugby Analyst stats. Scroll down and you'll see a chart saying Ford and Cipriani have a better tackle completion rate than Farrell, who is generally understood to be one of the better defending flyhalves in the game. He does offer this caveat: "[Farrell] is a more aggressive defender and whilst Cipriani and Ford have very good completion rates, many will result in yards conceded or someone assisting the tackle".

    On the kicking, the stat bunker link seems to corroborate the low figures for Farrell and Cipriani, who are both near the bottom of the table. Reckon Dan may be right about certain players taking harder kicks. Slade and Daly are very near the bottom, but I think they only get their grubby paws on the kicking tee if the kick's near or behind the halfway line.

    Delighted to see the maestro that is Andy Goode right up there near the top of the table. I assume everyone's aware of this noble cause - https://www.facebook.com/AndyGoodeforthe2017Lions/.

    Going back to the rugbyanalyst link, Cipriani's some way clear on Try Assists, and I must admit I prefer watching tries than penalty kicks. Would be interested to see a Tries Scored chart - pretty confident we'd see Cipriani leading on that one too...

  • drg
    12:01 PM 28/09/2016

    Thanks for the Cips kicking stats... yeh, they aren't great, but I could see him being used on the international scene as another 10 to bring on for Ford in the last 15-20 mins or something... with Farrell still at 12 and taking the kicks.

    I think you're right about Farrell Dan, from what I've heard he tends to be (or used to be) the go to guy for long range kicks, so I guess that is when stats can not tell you the whole story.

  • danknapp
    11:09 AM 28/09/2016

    Am I right in thinking that Hodgson and Farrell used to share kicking duties, but that Farrell tends to take the longer efforts? I can't remember what they used to do. It would explain his low percentage in club rugby compared to international, where he is better.

  • drg
    9:41 PM 27/09/2016

    I find it very difficult to consider Cips when I think of his personal life.. Especially when I take into account his most recent indiscretion which was drink driving, which on a rugby scale I view as worse than gouging....

    However, when I focus on rugby matters, his rugby is immense. Although where do you rate him in comparison to Ford and Farrell?

    I always see Farrell as the boring as sin player who will guarantee you points with the boot, he's also strong in defence.

    Ford, is the exciting choice for me. I find he does a lot of exciting things with a high percentage of success, he is forward thinking, "make things happen" type of player...

    I'm not sure about Cipriani though.. I don't know about his kicking stats. Is he as reliable as Farrell?
    I'd say he tends to be more outrageous than Ford, with perhaps a slightly less success rate? (1-2% less)

    I'd be interested to hear more..

  • stroudos
    6:32 PM 27/09/2016

    The Cipriani-Gopperth combo is looking more of a masterstroke with every game they play together.

    I've always been a fan of Cipriani, including through his poncing about with Kelly Brook / getting decked by Lewsey / getting decked by a bus days. His latest revival at Wasps makes me feel delighted and smug. He looks increasingly reliable AND always seems to be able to throw in a bit of magic and creative flair.

    I actually think his attitude has been top class for a long time, it's another tick in the "pro" column for me. I'd be interested to know what Eddie Jones's objection to him is. He seems happy to put other players' history happily on the past (cf Hartley). And Cipriani strikes me as exactly the sort of player that Jones would want. Arguably his chance has gone now, with Farrell and Ford installed in the side, but I think on current form Cipriani is the better 10 and he's easily young enough to make the 2019 World Cup.

  • jimmy23
    6:10 PM 27/09/2016

    "Boring English rugby" eh?!

    But seriously though, Cipriani has to be on the verge of an England call up.

  • drg
    5:01 PM 27/09/2016

    Few notable moments. North was a bit pants in some respect but he never gave up the chase, good on him!

    Cipriani did bloody well, especially considering he was tripped by North (accidentally I'd assume) and therefore there was no sort of during tackled think before offloading, (same as a tap tackle I guess!), so excellent off load from him.

    Gopperth and inside man did v. well paying attention to what was going on. Not sure if it was entirely planned, or whether they expected Cipriani to hoof it...

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