Christian Wade

Due to my Exile south of the equator i have had to make do with just the one Aviva match on TV a week. This week it was Wasps Vs Saints and i have to say this guy has impressed me greatly. From what ive seen on youtube wasps are finding this guy very useful.

For those of you who don't know this 20YO has represented England at all Age group levels and has already been a member of the England 7's Squad.

Against Saints he ran perfect lines , set up a great try and even though he is only 81Kgs Defensibly he was outstanding. He made a try saving tackle driving the Saints RUSSIAN ROCKET 10m to the touchline. And he has also been scoring trys on a regular Basis.

I have no doubt this guy will Play in England colours eventually but how long will it take ? Should he be included in the 6Nations Squad so he can be tested against the likes of italy ?

or are there already too many English wingers in front in the pecking order? e.g Strettle ,Ashton ,Sharples ,Monye and Armatige (thats if he ever stops himself getting banned).

Or am i just a Wasps Fan hyping up one of my own players ? haha

I've watched this guy through the age grades and he is deadly. I honestly think if he was going for most other country's it would a question of 'when' not 'if', but we English supporters sometimes get fixated on size. Sadly, I've already seen people dismiss him because of this.

Personally I'd have him in the Saxons at the first oppotunity alongside James Short and one or two the Quin's outside backs. (Sharples to be in the main squad)

He does look the business. scintilating speed and great feet, size is always vital at full international level as defense is so important. but if you're good enough you're big enough, look at Gio Aplon for SA, possiblly smaller than Wade.

He will not be rushed into the england squad as that doesnt happen, it'll be saxons first and then he'll prob have to wait for an injury to get his chnace which he'll have to take.

Meanwhile I expect him to be fantastic for wasps.

From what I've seen of him he isn't compromised by his size, very strong in defence and when being tackled in attack (good leg pump and retains the ball well).

I'd start him for the 2 upcoming '6N' Saxons games and then take him in the enlarged summer tour EPS to play midweek games if he goes well.

There's an awful lot of competition for the England wings. Personally I'd have him in the Saxons and take it from there. Great pace though and pretty stocky.

Looks a great prospect. I knew he was handy as he moved up through the age grades but the thing that I'm most happy about is that he seems decent in defense as well. Too often we see exiting young wingers come through whose defensive ability is woeful and although you can sometimes get away with it to an extent at club level, there is no chance any longer at international level, you get found out immediately.

Agree with others who have posted above, let him have a full season with Wasps and the Saxons and then if he has kept up his form (which I think he will) then take him on the summer tour. Maybe have him train with the senior squad during the 6N for experience as well (like they did with Marler last season).

I'd seen him play age grades a few times, but this past weekend was the first time at the top level. He certianly looks like he has potential.

But the only word of caution is there are a number of players who impressed at a young age, never to develop. For Wade's sake I hope he really breaks through. Seems like he runs really well and was frequently in the right place at the right time. I hope he is not rushed into any England/Saxons duty and is allowed time to fully develop.

England seem to prefer picking the 6 foot 7 wingers who can't score against 5 foot 7 wingers 5 metres out and one on one. Wade looks like an incredible prospect but are England going to just go with their giants in the backs? They seem to prefer that, and I have seen people wanting Banahan and Tuilangi for example to play centre (as the opposition I would love England to choose such a useless combination).

It would be ludicrous if Wade wasn't considered for his size.

I also remember people writing him off at underage for his size. I remember watching him for the U20s and along with Ford and Jonny May, he seems to have been one of the few players that really stood out as class players in their own right. His speed is exceptional but it's his gas off the mark which makes the real difference. There is another speedster at Wasps in Varndell, but unlike him, Wade has the ability to swerve at speed with very powerful hips which makes him very tough to bring down.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:England seem to prefer picking the 6 foot 7 wingers

I hate to mention facts in the face of a dig, but our first choice wingers at the WC were barely 6ft. Banahan was selected primarily as a centre option and never featured on the wing.

I confess to not seeing a huge amount of him...but from what i have...would i be right in saying he reminds people of Jason Robinson because his 0-40m is electric and of his jinking running....

Most of Banahans career so far has been at winger.. in general however England like their backs/forwards to be big rather than smart.

"Banahan was selected primarily as a centre option and never featured on the wing.."

In the WC yes...but most of his appearances for England have been at Wing...

I do think both club and country see him as a centre though...

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Most of Banahans career so far has been at winger

He's played a near identical amount at centre (7 1/2) as on the wing (8 1/2).

Rory_Gallagher wrote:in general however England like their backs/forwards to be big rather than smart.

I'll correct that for you, the current coaches (that will thankfully finally soon be gotten rid of) generally prefer defenders rather than attackers.

Out of interest, aside from those that everyone wanted instead of Tindall and Banahan, who were the smaller & smarter players that weren't selected?

Including Bath, clearly most of Banahan's career has been on the wing.

Okay, in the backs: Hape, Tindall, Tuilangi and now apparently Banahan were the centre options. Where is the brains there? All big bruisers.

I had thought he was too small, but now I'm doubting that. No need to rush him with so many other options around. He and Yarde might end up competing for one place in the end.

It's true that England have recently favoured larger backs. With new coaches this could change.

Cant we have big AND smart.....

Ps i also dont mind the odd dumb giant as long as theres a couple of professors in there to direct them...i.e Banahan still could be a useful weapon with the right players around him...but not sure that will ever materialise....

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Including Bath, clearly most of Banahan's career has been on the wing.

Okay, in the backs: Hape, Tindall, Tuilangi and now apparently Banahan were the centre options. Where is the brains there? All big bruisers.

You raised him and we were discussing him in terms of his international selection by England though, not Bath.

Like I said, apart from Tindall & Banahan. I'll give you Hape, but surely you can't deny Tuilagi was one of our best players, there wasn't a smaller, smarter, better player in that position that should have been selected in place of him.

Three players out of thirty odd doesn't justify your "in general" comment.

And yet he still has more caps as a wing for england.. what is your point?

Of course Tuilagi was one of your best players. He is a big bruising runner though and is fantastic at it. He is best with a smart player inside him. Roberts is the same and look how good he has been.

Four centres out of four, big oafs with no smart player to play alongside. Picking a non-scoring winger for his defensive duties (Cueto) is also a strange call when you have the likes of JSD.

My point is that the likes of Wade could miss out because of his size according the english selection as things stand, which would be ludicrous.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Cant we have big AND smart.....

Ps i also dont mind the odd dumb giant as long as theres a couple of professors in there to direct them...i.e Banahan still could be a useful weapon with the right players around him...but not sure that will ever materialise....

You can of course but generally you get the smarter, more creative player who will use his brain over his brawn, and the player who will barge through the opposition. For me the best combinations in any position that is not a specialist one (props, second rows, flankers, centres and wingers) do best with one smart/creative/smaller player and one big/strong/bruising runner.

For props it would generally be a bigger, less mobile tight head and a loose head who is great in open play. In second row it would be the more athletic jumper and the bigger, heavier scary fella. Similar concept!

Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Of course Tuilagi was one of your best players. He is a big bruising runner though and is fantastic at it. He is best with a smart player inside him. Roberts is the same and look how good he has been.

Four centres out of four, big oafs with no smart player to play alongside. Picking a non-scoring winger for his defensive duties (Cueto) is also a strange call when you have the likes of JSD.

My point is that the likes of Wade could miss out because of his size according the english selection as things stand, which would be ludicrous.

The point I was raising you on was "in general however England like their backs/forwards to be big rather than smart", for that to be true, considerably more than three out of thirty squad members would have to have had smaller, smarter and better alternatives that they were picked over.

Everyone apart from the coaches that will now finally be gotten rid of (so it shouldn't be a problem any more) decried the inside centre selections, but the defensive first criteria that dictated there wasn't evident on the wing, where the very average sized Ashton & Cueto were first choice.

A size criteria is an invention that could only really be strained to apply to the centre selection, not the wing where Wade would be considered and certainly not the whole team.

EngInAuck wrote:Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

That's ultimately going to be his challenge/ damnation isn't it? the comparison with Robinson. They are both very similar sized players

Robinson 5ft 8in & 12st 11lb
Wade 5ft 8in 13st 8lb

but I don't think that Wade has the rocket-on-the-boots-0-to-60-in-no-time-at-all acceleration that Robinson had. He does have very good acceleration just not quite in the same league as the former. However, once he gets up to speed I think Wade is ALOT quicker over distance than Robinson was. It will be fascinating to see the way he goes in the next few years.

Cumbrian wrote:

EngInAuck wrote:Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

That's ultimately going to be his challenge/ damnation isn't it? the comparison with Robinson. They are both very similar sized players

Robinson 5ft 8in & 12st 11lb
Wade 5ft 8in 13st 8lb

but I don't think that Wade has the rocket-on-the-boots-0-to-60-in-no-time-at-all acceleration that Robinson had. He does have very good acceleration just not quite in the same league as the former. However, once he gets up to speed I think Wade is ALOT quicker over distance than Robinson was. It will be fascinating to see the way he goes in the next few years.

Wade nearly a stone heavier.. interesting.

Wades acceleration looks amazing to me, how can you amke the comparison with robinson?

HQ matt wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:

EngInAuck wrote:Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

That's ultimately going to be his challenge/ damnation isn't it? the comparison with Robinson. They are both very similar sized players

Robinson 5ft 8in & 12st 11lb
Wade 5ft 8in 13st 8lb

but I don't think that Wade has the rocket-on-the-boots-0-to-60-in-no-time-at-all acceleration that Robinson had. He does have very good acceleration just not quite in the same league as the former. However, once he gets up to speed I think Wade is ALOT quicker over distance than Robinson was. It will be fascinating to see the way he goes in the next few years.

Wade nearly a stone heavier.. interesting.

Wades acceleration looks amazing to me, how can you amke the comparison with robinson?

Because I've seen them both play?

HQ matt wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:

EngInAuck wrote:Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

That's ultimately going to be his challenge/ damnation isn't it? the comparison with Robinson. They are both very similar sized players

Robinson 5ft 8in & 12st 11lb
Wade 5ft 8in 13st 8lb

but I don't think that Wade has the rocket-on-the-boots-0-to-60-in-no-time-at-all acceleration that Robinson had. He does have very good acceleration just not quite in the same league as the former. However, once he gets up to speed I think Wade is ALOT quicker over distance than Robinson was. It will be fascinating to see the way he goes in the next few years.

Wade nearly a stone heavier.. interesting.

Wades acceleration looks amazing to me, how can you amke the comparison with robinson?

Key quote being "I wounder if". Does anyone know how Robinsons Union Career started ? was he an instant hit or did it take him a few months to get noticed?

Wade has looking great in the few games I've seen him play. As others have said, great acceleration and his strength for his size is impressive. He also looks pretty composed and runs good angles.

Looking forward to seeing more of him. Saxons?

He's got a hat trick in the first 24 minutes this evening away in Bordeaux. The kid is on fire right now!

He should be at least training with the EPS during the six nations. Lets experiment and find some new stars. Give him a chance I say.

Does any one think that Wade will be pushing for a place in the Egland team for the 6ns, will he be giving Ashton a run for his money?

What with Wade on one wing and Ashton on the other England will have 2 lethal wingers, and what with Sharples also pushing for a place things are starting to look good.

Could be a bolter if he carries on running in tries, but in all honesty I don't think that MJ is a brave enough coach to throw him in.

I really hope he gets in the Squad , if he was id play him against Italy, him and ashton would Tear up their defence.

Cumbrian wrote:

HQ matt wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:

EngInAuck wrote:Lets try and keep on the subject at hand shall we ?

He is certainly the same type of build as Billy Wizz i wounder if 15 years from now if youtube will be bombarded with Wade tribute Videos , just like it was when Robinson Retired

That's ultimately going to be his challenge/ damnation isn't it? the comparison with Robinson. They are both very similar sized players

Robinson 5ft 8in & 12st 11lb
Wade 5ft 8in 13st 8lb

but I don't think that Wade has the rocket-on-the-boots-0-to-60-in-no-time-at-all acceleration that Robinson had. He does have very good acceleration just not quite in the same league as the former. However, once he gets up to speed I think Wade is ALOT quicker over distance than Robinson was. It will be fascinating to see the way he goes in the next few years.

Wade nearly a stone heavier.. interesting.

Wades acceleration looks amazing to me, how can you amke the comparison with robinson?

Because I've seen them both play?

You havent seen them both play on the same pitch.. I just think its difficult to make the comparison.

The closest we will get to a true test is if Wade makes the step up to test level, robinsons ability to take the main on the outside was special even at the top level. From what i have seen of Wade both for wasps and in the 7's his acceleration is 2nd to none.

Too soon to throw him in at full international level. He needs a full season at Wasps, and HC rugby, rather than Amlin, to really see where he's at. Even is his form is good enough, his size will count against him in this day and age.

I was stood next to him when the Wasps players joined up with the fans in a bar in Bordeaux after the game. He has his head screwed on and doesn't seem the type to get carried away with the hype.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:And yet he still has more caps as a wing for england.. what is your point?

Of course Tuilagi was one of your best players. He is a big bruising runner though and is fantastic at it. He is best with a smart player inside him. Roberts is the same and look how good he has been.

Four centres out of four, big oafs with no smart player to play alongside. Picking a non-scoring winger for his defensive duties (Cueto) is also a strange call when you have the likes of JSD.

My point is that the likes of Wade could miss out because of his size according the english selection as things stand, which would be ludicrous.

Yes but your point is wrong, England claerly dont select their wings based on size. Cueto isnt that big. The only big physical wing they have had in recent years is Banahan, and before him Vanilkolo (under a differnet coach) neither of which have been established first XV players for any length of time. Most of the caps Banahan did get at wing were when other players were injured. Ashton is fairly physical, but not picked purely on size like a North or James. Other players who have recently appeared on the wing for England are Tait, Strettle, Monye , Varndell, Ojo, Sharples and Armitage (apologies if i miessed some)...none of them especially big physical players... size certainly not their primary attrbute. Yes England have favoured big physical centers ( like err Toby Flood), but I dont see that as the case for the other back positions.
So your assertion that Englnad pick wingers on size is clealry bunk. What they have done is tried to pick a balanced back 3 with some experience in it and two players who can kick. Cueto has an accepatble international try scoring record ( contrary to poular internet belief) and a good record of creating tries. Englands back 3 of Cueto/Armitage Foden Ashton is pretty exciteing when its given the chance to play, certainly not a purely defensive ( noone would accuse Ashton of being a defensive pick) or bashing unit. If the likes of Varndell can keep sniffing round the eges of the squad then I really struggle to see where the idea that Englands back 3 is picked on its defensive capabilities and size comes from (other than if i read it enoyugh it must be true). Yes those capabilities are considered, but I dont see any evidence that they are the primary selection criteria.

Id be suprissed if Wade starts in the 6 nations, but hes one of the many wingers in with the chance of a Saxons spot and an outside senior squad place.

So you say my point is wrong then say "yes england have favoured big physical centres".. so you must agree with part of what I said there, as that was part of the point I was making. I don't want Wade to miss out in selection because he isn't big or physical enough which a few english fans have said already.

I think MJ does prefer a physical, big player over the smaller, smarter ones. He would prefer a back row of Croft, Haskell and Easter as all are big bruising runners (Croft is a bit more lightweight and smarter however) than having balance in the back row. Same can be said for the centres.

I stand to be corrected come the 6 nations if he selects otherwise

Rory_Gallagher wrote:So you say my point is wrong then say "yes england have favoured big physical centres".. so you must agree with part of what I said there, as that was part of the point I was making. I don't want Wade to miss out in selection because he isn't big or physical enough which a few english fans have said already.

I think MJ does prefer a physical, big player over the smaller, smarter ones. He would prefer a back row of Croft, Haskell and Easter as all are big bruising runners (Croft is a bit more lightweight and smarter however) than having balance in the back row. Same can be said for the centres.

I stand to be corrected come the 6 nations if he selects otherwise

calling croft a big bruiser is complete joke....

Did you read the bracketed part? I said he is more lightweight and smart than the other 2. Croft is a big guy though, 6 foot 5 and 105kg. That is fairly massive.

Yeah he's a big guy Rory...but theres nothing tough about him...he's a finese player...and one that is causing great debate over his place in the team.....

I think the England ideal has been

Flood as a playmaker
Two big bruising centres with fast athletic flankers - Croft, Wood etc playing off them using crofts pace etc
Strike wingers and full back...(cueto might have not scored lots but made lots of breaks that should have led to tries)

The odd time it has worked...but in most times has not....

Yeah I don't think it works.

Okay so what is it Croft does because he is described as a different player by different people.. to me he is a lineout specialist, a good support player, but also quite good on the floor and can make the hard yards. I don't rate him all that highly myself though.

He is a big guy, and his support play is great, however he is not a breakdown specialist by any means. Which is what I meant when referring to England's backrow of Croft, Haskell and Easter. They don't look for balance.

He is a lineout specialist....excellent support player and runner in open space (due to his rediculous pace), and is generally first to the break down because of this aswell.

However as ruck work is improving but i dont think he is strong enough to make a real presance at the breakdown.

And this is the deabte...as some people think he is good enough and we cant afford not to have him in the team...yet others think No.6 should be a big nasty powerhouse - Stephen Ferris....Kaino......Elsom...etc etc (probably Robshaw)

Im inclinded to favour the latter.....but he could be included in the right balanced back row....

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Did you read the bracketed part? I said he is more lightweight and smart than the other 2. Croft is a big guy though, 6 foot 5 and 105kg. That is fairly massive.

"I think MJ does prefer a physical, big player over the smaller, smarter ones. He would prefer a back row of Croft, Haskell and Easter as all are big bruising runners (Croft is a bit more lightweight and smarter however) than having balance in the back row."

Did you not read what you put before the brackets?