Hanks still seeking consistency

Wasps hold on to defeat Gloucester

Last updated: 7th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hanks still seeking consistency

Hanks: depleted squad

We kept our composure when things got tight and we've done very well to be in this position given the size of the squad available between injuries and guys away on Test duties.

Tony Hanks
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Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks was not getting carried away with his side's return to form in the 24-19 win over Gloucester.

Dave Walder converted his own try and added four penalties for Wasps, who almost blew a 13-0 lead before sealing the win with a late try.

"Week to week you must be concerned with your own performance," Hanks said.

"You must not get tied up with the table and the top four. It's changing weekly and this competition is far from over.

"We had a disappointing defeat at Leeds last week and we came away hurt but determined. We have a lot to work on in terms of being consistent over 80 minutes.

"But with a bit of David Lemi magic towards the end we've achieved a very good win against a team who've been on a strong run.

"We kept attacking and responded well when Mike Tindall scored a very good try.

Composure

"We kept our composure when things got tight and we've done very well to be in this position given the size of the squad available between injuries and guys away on Test duties.

"That try showed why we brought David Lemi here and we are getting used to each other with every game. We are learning where and when to give him the ball and he's growing into the team.

"We now get a week off, then return to face a big six weeks, starting with a trip up to Sale to face a team who are fairly desperate to get away from the bottom."

Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath gave a frank evaluation of his team's below-par performance.

"I think I was more disappointed with the first-half performance than losing the game late on," he said.

"Our discipline was average, our game poor because we coughed up possession, gifted them penalties and lacked impact.

"When you play away you have to be smart and adapt to the referee, which we failed to do. We gave away penalties in a row for similar offences.

"Our second half was much better, but then we had a guy in the bin when they scored their second try.

Tindall return

"Mike Tindall has been out for four months. He played 40 minutes last week and 65 today, and he scored a very good try.

"He took a whack on the leg which is why I took him off, but he is getting back to his best.

"But we came away with 10, 11, 12 errors and the players have to accept criticism for playing poorly. The guys like it when they get praised up, so they have to accept it when they play poorly, and we did.

"We have an Anglo-Welsh Cup semi-final against Cardiff next weekend and we are all looking forward to that.

"We've had a lot of praise in recent months, seven wins out of nine, so we can feel pleased to go home with a losing bonus point.

"But sometimes it's good to get a wee slap in the face to regain your focus."