DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
ComeAllWithin (Harlequins Rugby)
HTML https://comeallwithin.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: ComeAllWithin Board
*****************************************************
#Post#: 39719--------------------------------------------------
Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: Fearless Fred
Date: March 2, 2020, 4:18 am
---------------------------------------------------------
For those without an account:
Harlequins turn to 'battering ram' Paul Lasike to beat league
leaders Exeter
Paul Lasike thankful for NFL experience as his punch
performances have catapulted him into fan stardom at the Stoop
By
Gary Fitzgerald
Paul Lasike had a quiet World Cup with the US in Japan but is
making a name for himself in south-west London.
Paul Lasike claims his time in American Football was perfect
grounding for the “battering ram” role he is being asked to
perform as Harlequins attempt to smash their way into the
Premiership play-offs.
The powerfully built New Zealand-born centre may have failed to
make a major impact in the US Eagles’ disappointing display at
the World Cup in Japan. However, he is becoming a huge favourite
among Stoop supporters with his bull-like rampages and crushing
tackles.
He produced one of his now trademark try-scoring charges through
the Exeter defence to help Harlequins stun the leaders with an
injury-time bonus-point victory on Saturday as they won 34-30.
Lasike’s destructive physicality is clearly a weapon Paul
Gustard, the head of rugby, will continue to utilise in the
thrust to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish.
Lasike, 29, said: “When I was in NFL, I was a battering ram. I
was running into people just trying to block them. It’s a little
different as instead of holding on to the ball you just go for
the man. Here I am trying to run through people. You could say I
am used to the job.
“Different players bring things to the table because everyone
has strengths and weaknesses. One of my strengths is the direct
carry and it makes sense to utilise my power. If I can help
punch a few holes and get the team over the line, I am happy to
do so. I have taken that on as part of my role.
“I will be hurting tonight because of it but that’s part of the
game. I had a couple of concussion problems last season but that
was down to technique more than the physicality of it. My head
was on the wrong side of Will Skelton’s knee in one of them and
then I came in flying in at a bad angle.
“I’ve been working hard on my technique to try to stay a bit
higher and keep my head out of the way. Touch wood, I haven’t
had any concussions so far this season.”
Lasike returned from the World Cup deflated but he is enjoying a
successful second season at the Stoop, and signed a recent
contract extension. He said: “There was interest from some other
clubs but, with my family here and kids at school, it was a
no-brainer to choose to stay.
“I only came back to rugby when I was after a four-year lay-off,
so I feel like a rookie out there. Gus [Paul Gustard] has helped
me improve so much as a player, especially my defence. He’s a
defensive genius.”
Rob Baxter, the Exeter director of rugby, will be working hard
on his side’s discipline following their fourth Premiership
defeat of the campaign. They had two players sin-binned and
conceded a late scrum penalty try as their pack, weakened by the
absence of the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie and Harry Williams,
came up second best.
Baxter said that rather than moan about refereeing decisions,
such as the penalty try Christophe Ridley awarded Harlequins,
Exeter needed to look at their own mistakes before they host
Bath on Saturday.
“I don’t like to look at results and start talking about
referees,” he said. “The reality is we need to have more
discipline than that. We should play beyond that kind of
scenario. We didn’t get our focus right and paid the price.”
#Post#: 39740--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: InsertQuinsPunHere
Date: March 2, 2020, 7:35 am
---------------------------------------------------------
A crash ball centre? It'll never catch on!
Thanks for sharing.
#Post#: 39837--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: Johnny thunders
Date: March 3, 2020, 12:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
Cheers for this. Huge fan of his so love to hear his praises
being sung
#Post#: 39844--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: March 3, 2020, 3:31 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
He looked shattered by the end last Saturday but kept offering
himself to truck it up. Really glad he's got an opportunity. The
difference in apparent attitude between him and our recent
marquee 12 is telling.
#Post#: 39846--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: BedfordshireBoy
Date: March 3, 2020, 3:41 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
A bit harsh on Saili, not sure how you can criticise his
attitude, his problem has been staying fit, he is a class act in
my opinion.
#Post#: 39850--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: never sleep
Date: March 3, 2020, 4:35 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
I think he means Roberts???
#Post#: 39857--------------------------------------------------
Re: Lasike article in the Telegraph
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: March 4, 2020, 2:48 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: never sleep link ---
>
> I think he means Roberts???
>
--- End Quote ---
Correct
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1