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There was a festival of tries scored at the Sixways Stadium as Wasps beat Worcester to climb into second place ahead of Exeter, making a home semi-final in the playoffs ever more likely.
Christian Wade marked his 100th cap with some style – crossing the line six times and equalling Ryan Constable’s record for the most tries in a Premiership fixture. Constable’s record was set at Saracens’ game against Bedford exactly 16 years before Wade’s outstanding performance.
Worcester grabbed six tries of the 14 scored in the match to make for a highly exciting contest.
Ryan Mills got proceedings underway with an early penalty for the home team, before Frank Halai proved why he’s so important to Wasps when he squeezed over in the corner for his ninth try of the season.
Soon after, Wade scored his first try courtesy of some fine handling by Dan Robson and Rob Miller. It didn’t take long for Springbok Francois Hougaard to respond for the hosts when he touched down from close quarters.
Dan Robson was again on hand to create Wade’s second try with some excellent improvisation after a driving lineout didn’t go to plan for them.
Wasps continued to show why they are in a European Cup semi-final through some exceptional attacking rugby. Charles Piutau and Elliot Daly were in fine form as they put Wade in space in the 29th minute. This resulted in Wade regathering his own grubber with some trademark scorching pace and touching down in the corner.
While there’s doubt over Wade’s participation in the Olympics with Team GB, his electric pace and finishing would be a major asset in the quest for a rugby sevens gold medal.
Australian Cooper Vuna then stepped his way to the try line to put some gloss on the scoreboard before the break.
Wasps had other ideas, though. After a big carry from Nathan Hughes, the ball was spread to Elliot Daly who dabbed the ball in behind only for the potent Wade to snatch a fourth try on the verge of halftime. The creator, Daly, duly converted from the touchline.
The visitors were the first to blink in the second half, as Fijian lock Tevita Cavubati stormed his way into the Wasps’ 22. This set the platform for Andy Symons to crash over the line and instilled hope in the home side as the Warriors trailed by only 13 at this point.
Wade was quick to nullify any chances of a comeback as he intercepted a flat pass from Ryan Mills and raced away for his fifth try in 50 minutes, putting the game beyond Worcester on their home turf.
This didn’t deter the Warriors’ panache in attack, as they looked to threaten Wasps with an expansive brand of rugby. It worked against them once again, as World Cup reject Charles Piutau intercepted a pass and dashed 50 metres upfield. Christian Wade – who else – was there in support to take the pass and saunter under the posts for his sixth. The try took him to within two of this season’s leading try scorer Thomas Waldrom of the Exeter Chiefs.
There was still a lot of rugby to be played at this stage and Worcester were finally rewarded when Tom Heathcote launched a long pass out to Gerrit-Jan Van Helze, who scored in the corner to claim a bonus point.
Dean Ryan’s men continued to show the tenacity that has attracted big names like Francois Hougaard and Ben Te’o to the club. This time, Andy Symons sucked in two defenders with a deft offload for Bryce Heem to score a try that brought the scores to 47-30.
Ashley Johnson and Joe Simpson played a large part in creating the Wasps’ eighth try as Alex Lozowski charged his way over the Worcester whitewash to close off the visitors’ scorecard.
It was the Warriors who had the last laugh off a driving lineout. A tired Chris Kirwan flopped over the line from the back of a maul to score the 14th try of the afternoon and bring the final score to 54-35.
Worcester travel to Welford Road in two weeks to play Leicester Tigers, while Wasps will again do battle with Exeter in Devon after their European Cup semi-final.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.