Newcastle Falcons Thread - 2016 / 2017

[Geordie]

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: Micky Ward
Defence Coach: John Wells
Attack Coach: Dave Walder
Lineout Coach: Scott Macleod
Skills Coach: Mark Laycock

Current Squad (A= Academy):
Forwards
Props:
TH - Jon Welsh, Scott Wilson, Paddy Ryan, Davy Wilson
LH - Sami Mavinga, Rob Vickers, Sam Lockwood, Adam Brocklebank (A), Joshua Chisanga (A), Trevor Davison (A)

Hookers: Ben Sowrey, Kyle Cooper, Scott Lawson
Santiago Socino (A) Jamie Blamire (A)

Second Rows: Callum Green, Mauritz Botha, Will Witty, Sean Robinson , Evan Olmstead, Nick Civetta, Glen Youngs, Tevita Cavubati, Andrew Davidson
Josh Williams (A), Max Davies (A)

Back Row: Will Welch, Nili Latu, Mark Wilson, Harrison Orr, Opeti Fonua, Ally Hogg, Ryan Burrows, Gary Graham
Calum Chick,  Simon Uzokwe (A)

Backs
SH's: Sonatane Tukulua, Micky Young, Sam Stuart
Ruaridh Dawson (A), Dan Taylor (A)

Fh's: Mike Delaney, Joel Hodgson, Toby Flood,  Craig Willis
Brett Connon (A)

Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Chris Harris, Dom Waldouck, Maxine Mermoz, Josh Matavesi, Joel Matavesi, Tom Penny
Ben Stevenson (A),

Wing: Sinoti Sinoti, Zac Kibirige, Veriniki Goneva, DTH Van der Merve
Adam Radwan (A), Cameron Cowell (A)

FB's: Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

[Geordie]

Yeah and Kibirige is apparently in a ski boot alongside Harris in a boot aswell....

We just hear nothing about injuries.

Though Latu walked past me the other day and is out of his brace.

My big question is where is CHisanga...he's not even in the squad!!!!! This would be made for him to show how good he is!!!

Not sure if its on the telly or not ill try and find out.

[wayne]

Yeah and Kibirige is apparently in a ski boot alongside Harris in a boot aswell....

We just hear nothing about injuries.

Though Latu walked past me the other day and is out of his brace.

My big question is where is CHisanga...he's not even in the squad!!!!! This would be made for him to show how good he is!!!  

Not sure if its on the telly or not ill try and find out.

Boys it is well advertised down here, that you can only see this match is to be at the Liberty, there might be a highlights package on Sunday evening but that is about it.

[Geordie]

Really...ah man, I thought it would have been televised somewhere.

[Geordie]

Well we need a better result / performance v Grenoble!

[TrailApe]

I think it's more about performance than the result.

In theory this team is the future of the club (going on Deano's Pyramid analogy) so this lot could be strapping on their bandages for a premiership (relegation survival) game in three years or so.

[Geordie]

Aye very true.

I still think he's playing the wrong tactics. The squad is definitely stronger...but we insist on playing this horrible ineffective kicking game.

Plus I cat quite work out his selections sometimes...ie why has Willis just been dropped from the whole 1st altogether during the prem?

Why is Chisanga not in this European squad at all!!??

[TrailApe]

I must admit that the line of communications to the supporters is somewhat lacking. Fair enough if there's some legal angle to it and the player is being kept on ice whilst the Due Course Of Justice rumbles on - totally understand but apart from that we as fans haven't a scoobies who's knackered or simply out of favour.

I imagine the Kenyan is not playing because Deano is using the CC to keep up the Anglo % for the season. It also may be a ploy - keeping some ammo back for the AI's and the 6N's if we are playing some of the big boys during that period?

[Geordie]

Maybe true mate but he looked a very useful addition to the squad in the preseasons....a physical mobile carrier...yet he got some great turnovers...

He did stand out in the backs a little too much ut maybe that was an instruction.

But for me when you have injuries to King Latu, Fonua etc why not have someone like him on the bench to completely change / mix things up???? Wilson, Welch etc are quite predictable players (despite Wilson being top class!!) so why not bring on the unpredictable!

[Geordie]

Back to a stronger team v Grenoble

15 Simon Hammersley
14 Marcus Watson
13 Dominic Waldouck
12 Juan Pablo Socino
11 Alex Tait
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Michael Young

1 Sam Lockwood
2 Ben Sowrey
3 Jon Welsh
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Mark Wilson
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Callum Chick

Replacements

16 Scott Lawson
17 Rob Vickers
18 Scott Wilson
19 Mouritz Botha
20 Daniel Temm
21 Sonatane Takulua
22 Craig Willis
23 Fred Burdon

[Sgt_Pooly]

Good looking pack, great to see Lockwood & Sowery get a start.

[Geordie]

Yeah Lockwood is the one im looking forward to seeing. Vickers looks to be on the wane...and Lockwood was supposedly a beast of a scrummager...they all are from Jersey!

And Scotty Wilson on the bench!

Sowery does look like he could be a very good signing. And has a physical presence.

[Sgt_Pooly]

The scrum always seems to pick up when Sowery comes on.

Really hope Lockwood can be this big scrummaging LH we've needed for the last few seasons. Our scrum has been a bit of a shambles of late.

[Geordie]

Yeah it's been getting taken apart a few times.

[Geordie]

Well it's cold, it has been torrential rain until 5 mins ago and the sun has come out.

Its windy so I'm not expecting a glittering performance! Good chance to see how Joel can control the game. Ive just had a chat with him on the sidelines and told him what I want to see ha ha

[Geordie]

1St look at Loosehead lockwood and it's promising.

Sowery at hooker is starting to look a cracking signing though. Will overtake Lawson soon.

Their 12 needs to learn how to tackle using his arms!!! 3 times now and finally gets a warning

[Geordie]

Half time 28-0

[Geordie]

Finally the 12 gets a yellow card!

Lockwood scores a try

[Sgt_Pooly]

Good updates GF, totally forgot it was on!

Is the scrum going well? Really think this could be our first choice sooner rather than later.

[Geordie]

Yeah scrum going good. 45-0 ten minutes to go.

They are appalling though so probably not the best game to judge on.

Its BLOODY freezing!!!!

[Sgt_Pooly]

Great score.

It's 7pm and a nice 28' here GF, I feel for you pal

[Geordie]

Ha ha I'm off to see pals in Oz on Thursday so I'll get a bit of winter sun.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Nice mate, enjoy

[Fluxy]

It's a shame for Vea, definitely helped shore up the setpiece. Guess it makes sense why Wilson was signed from Bath.

http://www.planetrugby.com/news/vea-hangs-up-his-boots-due-to-spinal-injury/

[Sgt_Pooly]

Jesus...nasty stuff, top player on his day. Makes the signing of Wilson pretty vital as we'd be really weak in this area.

[Geordie]

Saw this before....very sad to hear.

He was a cracking TH and carried well also. Wont be easy to replace quickly.

It came from a hit from behind didn't it?

[Geordie]

At least Scotty Wilson was back on the pitch yesterday after over a year out.

[LondonTiger]

Only just seen the news about Vea. Horrid news, but right decision for him. Not worth taking that sort of risk.

[Geordie]

Yeah, not good LT.

[Geordie]

Team for Saints in the cup

1 Lockwood
2 Sowery
3 D. Wilson
4 Will Witty
5 Andrew Davidson
6 Aly Hogg
7 Tyrone Holmes
8 Calum Chick

9 Young
10 Delayney
11 Sinotti
12 Willis
13 Burdon
14 Watson
15 Tait (C)

16 Lawson
17 Vickers
18 Welsh
19 Glenn Youmg
20 Chisanga
21 Egerton
22 Hodgson
23 Waldouck

[Sgt_Pooly]

Looks stronger than I thought it would. Good to see some of the kids getting a run out.

[Geordie]

Definitely Sgt.

Lockwood and sowery getting more gametime. good to see

[Geordie]

By all accounts another lumbering ponderous performance led by the side to side running Delayney.

Why on earth do they continue with him. He's a high earner but cut their loses!!

[Geordie]

Simon Hammersley out for the season with ACL injury....

Bad news....

[Cumbrian]

Not good, he will be badly missed.

[formerly known as Sam]

Ouch not a good injury for a back three player to have. Really bad luck as had he kept playing as well as he has he could have been in the England squad next summer with Haley.

[BamBam]

Will his transfer to Leicester be delayed?

Best wishes to the lad

[formerly known as Sam]

Will his transfer to Leicester be delayed?

Best wishes to the lad

Depends how Worth plays this weekend. Then again we've signed injured players from Falcons before.

[Geordie]

There'll be no transfer to Leicester.

Ben Harris our LH prop has joined wasps on loan?? He's barely played a fame for us.odd decision

[Geordie]

Well ive never seen such a brutal amount of complaining on mass from the Falcons fans.

Most aimed at Dean, over his tactics and his continuous selections of Young and Delayney.

I have to say I agree with most of it...though the criticism of Will Welch I find a little off!

[Geordie]

Team for Northampton

Will Welch has a broken cheekbone
Sinotti out long term
Lockwood out long term aswell.

15 Alex Tait
14 Vereniki Goneva
13 Dominic Waldouck
12 Juan Pablo Socino
11 Marcus Watson
10 Joel Hodgson
9 Michael Young

1 Rob Vickers
2 Scott Lawson
3 David Wilson
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Callum Chick
7 Mark Wilson (captain)
8 Ally Hogg

Replacements
16 Ben Sowrey
17 Alex Rogers
18 Scott Wilson
19 Nick Civetta
20 Opeti Fonua
21 Sam Egerton
22 Brett Connon
23 Fred Burdon

[Ozzy3213]

Wasn't Sinotti out long term last season as well?

[Geordie]

Yes mate, im not sure what he's done or how long he's out this time...but just heard its more long term.

Add in Hammersley with the ACL issue and its not a good read.

We do have players coming back though so hopefully we'll be in a decent position.

[Hazel Sapling]

At least at wing Newcastle have 3 good wingers to choose from even if there is an idea of pushing Goneva into the 13 role.

Is Welsh injured?

[Geordie]

No Welsh is fit, maybe just being rested. He's put some shifts in recently (on both sides of the scrum) and we have Davy Wilson back to full fitness and Scotty Wilson finally back fit after a year out.

We have Marcus Watson who is a classy player and Gonoeva who is a beast. Kibirige is finally back training with the 1st team again, so should be back in contention soon.

We are just having trouble giving the wingers good ball...so It kind of makes the point null having them...

[Geordie]

Update:

Lockwood out for the season - Huge blow!!!
Hammersley out for the season - ACl

Sinoti has ruptured knee ligaments
Will Welch has ruptured his cheekbone
Vea has now retired after his neck / spine injury
Latu is still a month away after a serious injury
Powell and Harris on long term injuries...
Cooper has been injured since he joined us
Scott Robinson still going through Rehab....having been out for 6+ months

Catterick back training after seemingly long term hernia issue
Kibirige back training with the first team....

[Sgt_Pooly]

Jesus.....it's going to be a long season. Finally Delany has been dropped at least, what an awful season he's had.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Falcons have a good chance against Saints this Friday night. Saints really struggling in the backrow, Patterson starting at 6 due to Clark being up to his old tricks and getting suspended again.

2nd choice Hooker, lock, both wings, 12, desperate choice 6 and no 8 at all.

Interesting that Estelles is deemed good enough to sit on the Argentinian bench, but can't get that far for Northampton!

[Geordie]

Yeah it helps not having delayney at 10!!

Just shows that having an all blacks cap doesn't always mean top class player!!!

[Ozzy3213]

I think you'll beat Saints tomorrow night. I've been seriously unimpressed with them so far this season.

[Geordie]

Your forgetting one important factor....its us who they are playing!!!

If it goes as per this season it'll be the following:

Be strong and aggressive in the pack and win plenty of ball...
Backs will pass through the hands one touch line to the other making little to no ground
Backs will get fed up and aimlessly kick the ball to opposition back 3.

Process starts again...

I just hope we see a bit more incisive breaks and creativity from Joel.

With Welch out I'd have actually started Chisanga or Fonua for some real impact carrying in the back row and balance to the back row.

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