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Newcastle Falcons Gallery -


Official team v Worcester
Discussion started by aidanb , 31 August, 2017 11:55
Official team v Worcester
aidanb 31 August, 2017 11:55
15 Simon Hammersley

14 Alex Tait

13 Chris Harris

12 Josh Matavesi

11 Belisario Agulla

10 Joel Hodgson

9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Rob Vickers

2 Kyle Cooper

3 Jon Welsh

4 Calum Green

5 Will Witty

6 Mark Wilson

7 Will Welch (captain)

8 Callum Chick

Replacements

16 Scott Lawson

17 Sami Mavinga

18 Trevor Davison

19 Tevita Cavubati

20 Nili Latu

21 Sam Stuart

22 Craig Willis

23 Juan Pablo Socino

Re: Official team v Worcester
Falcons_Thunder 31 August, 2017 11:55
Toby flood injured?

Re: Official team v Worcester
SouthFalcon27 31 August, 2017 11:58
Says Flood and DTH have "minor niggles". Slightly more worried about this game now- Joel had a shocker when we played Wuss last year. No word on abscence of Sinoti, Goneva, Mermoz?

Re: Official team v Worcester Fri 1st Sept
aidanb 31 August, 2017 11:59
Here's the link to the official page

[www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk]

Re: Official team v Worcester Fri 1st Sept
Falcons_Thunder 31 August, 2017 12:02
Our backrow looks light too, I'm a bit worried now. Tho I take it tane will take kicking duties?

Re: Official team v Worcester
Falc Dancer 31 August, 2017 12:02
I feel so deflated

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 31 August, 2017 12:03
Can't do anything about injuries sadly

Re: Official team v Worcester
falconsfan07 31 August, 2017 12:10
Jeez that is a rather weakened side I think.

What the conditioning staff been doing to the boys!? Having them play keep ball 7 hours a day?

Back three is very good with defense and should cope well with high balls, but is missing a lot of flare and pace.

Matevasi and Harris need to go very well in defense as they are up against two very good ball playing centres.

Joel needs to keep a cool head on and we will be fine....I think

Re: Official team v Worcester
CSGG 31 August, 2017 12:17
Absolutely gutted, first game of the season and we're riddled with injuries it would seem.

Without being disrespectful you'd call that second choice backline given we're missing Flood, Socino, Mermoz, Goneva and Sinoti.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Falcons_Thunder 31 August, 2017 12:17
Warriors
15 Josh Adams
14 Dean Hammond
13 Wynand Olivier
12 Jackson Willison
11 Bryce Heem
10 Tom Heathcote
9 Jonny Arr
1 Ryan Bower
2 Jack Singleton
3 Nick Schonert
4 Donncha O'Callaghan (C)
5 Will Spencer
6 Matt Cox
7 Sam Lewis
8 GJ van Velze

Replacements
16 Joe Taufete'e
17 Ethan Waller
18 Biyi Alo
19 Pierce Phillips
20 Alafoti Faosiliva
21 Peter Stringer
22 Sam Olver
23 Ben Te'o

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 31 August, 2017 12:19
Don't think their side is too strong either TBH

Re: Official team v Worcester
wusstawizard 31 August, 2017 12:21
We are gonna crush you lol

Re: Official team v Worcester
Geordie 31 August, 2017 12:21
Why is Socino on the bench when he looks likes hes just continued on top class from last season yet Matavesi has looked hugely unfit and out of shape!

Re: Official team v Worcester
DB23 31 August, 2017 12:22
Good grief. Looks like a patched up end-of-season squad.

So many players missing; Goneva, Sinoti, Flood, Mermoz, Young, the Wilson props, DTH, and more.

A win with so many missing would certainly make a statement.

Very much looking forward to the game and hope we go well.

Re: Official team v Worcester
usa warrior 31 August, 2017 12:32
Quote:
mannin
Don't think their side is too strong either TBH

We've also suffered on the injury front so are without a few with others coming back in this game. Should be an interesting game and always seems to be close between us.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Warrior7 31 August, 2017 12:41
We've been fielding guest props for all pre-season on the bench - lucky we have got Schonert and Waller back, although they haven't played a game so far.
Your team is a much different one to what I expected, will always be a close one between us - look out for Hammond on the wing, as been on fire so far.

Here's to a good game!

Re: Official team v Worcester
Wensleydale Falcon 31 August, 2017 12:45
Crikey folks I am astonished at the doom and gloom.

A patched up end of season team....really....a very harsh statement in my opinion.

It is what it is on the injury front (if that's the case) or it maybe just a "horses for causes" selection.

Either way that team is more than capable of getting a result.

Let's get behind them tomorrow night!!

Re: Official team v Worcester
steve1888 31 August, 2017 12:56
I love team announcement day always brings about plenty debate. Can't comment much on selection as I've not seen any pre season but can understand peoples disappointment with quite a few of the more box office players not being in and no mention of a few.

That said it's first game of the season , not one of that 15 are bad players and it's first game on the season and games against Wuss are often exciting and nip and tuck affairs!


bring it on , just need to ring and sort my STs now ha

Re: Official team v Worcester
exhooker 31 August, 2017 21:17
That's right.None of the 23 are bad players, but there has been such a buzz of anticipation of a team mixing the new with the existing and we find ourselves back where we were with the new game changers missing and not even Goneva and Sinoti. I haven't written us off for tomorrow by any means but my sense of excitement for a new season has gone already.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Southstand(again) 31 August, 2017 22:01
Hi guys,

Just so you don't feel too hard done by, post pre-season, the wuss injury list now runs at

Pennell
Denton 2-3 weeks
Mama long term
Mills 2-3 months
Potgeiter long term
Kerrod
Baldwin
Dowsett
Stelling
Kirwan
Milasinovich

That equates to Loosehead being covered by a hooker on the bench and a complete 1st choice backrow missing.
As per last season we don't get Houggard until the springboks have finished with him.

You usually beat us in "A" games. (Sm14)

Re: Official team v Worcester
wusstawizard 31 August, 2017 22:29
SS, our loosehead is covered by Waller who is definitely not a hooker.

Re: Official team v Worcester
AFalcon24 31 August, 2017 22:55
Interesting squad, sad to see no Ryan Burrows in there for us. I feel he would give us that much needed weight in the back row. smiling smiley

Re: Official team v Worcester
WorcesterSauce 31 August, 2017 23:08
Quote:
Southstand(again)
Hi guys,
Just so you don't feel too hard done by, post pre-season, the wuss injury list now runs at

Pennell
Denton 2-3 weeks
Mama long term
Mills 2-3 months
Potgeiter long term
Kerrod
Baldwin
Dowsett
Stelling
Kirwan
Milasinovich

That equates to Loosehead being covered by a hooker on the bench and a complete 1st choice backrow missing.
As per last season we don't get Houggard until the springboks have finished with him.

You usually beat us in "A" games. (Sm14)

I think we have 3 decent front rowers (1 for each position) on the bench dont we? Also out of that injury list there are only 3 starters IMO (Mills, Denton, Mama)... our injuries are nothing bad IMO.

Re: Official team v Worcester
aidanb 31 August, 2017 23:34
It's a good job The club is manned by professional players and coaches who will be looking at what they can do rather than what they can't.

Unfortunately the forum is manned by a load of nay Sayers


The season hasn't even started and the dour set are planning how to cry over their spilt milk.

Positivity folks. It usually goes a long way.

Re: Official team v Worcester
NorfolkFalcon 01 September, 2017 06:59
It is disappointing that a lot of the expected first team backs are out but we still have enough to win the game plus some of those players know they have a chance to prove themselves before others return.

I look at the teams and think both sides are playing solid teams with plenty of impact to come on from the bench. We have the likes of Latu, Socino, Mavinga, Cavubati who will bring physicality and Stuart who will increase tempo at scrum half.

Also great to see Hammersley start after his long absence.

I'll be leaving at in the next 2-3 hours. See you tonight!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2017 07:07 by NorfolkFalcon.

Re: Official team v Worcester
lizard118 01 September, 2017 07:07
It's a shame to have so many influential players missing, but we've been talking about the depth we now have. Therefore, we can't now complain about the players missing, although understandably it's not ideal. But that's where we are. Mind you I can see some last minute changes to the team, it's happened before.

Meanwhile, let's back the players on the pitch. We have enough to put away that Worcester team especially with being the home side.
If Hodgson is struggling there is Willis and then there is Matavese who's also a handy flyhalf, if needed.
C'mon Falcons!!

Re: Official team v Worcester
Falcons_Thunder 01 September, 2017 07:32
Quote:
Southstand(again)
Hi guys,
Just so you don't feel too hard done by, post pre-season, the wuss injury list now runs at

Pennell
Denton 2-3 weeks
Mama long term
Mills 2-3 months
Potgeiter long term
Kerrod
Baldwin
Dowsett
Stelling
Kirwan
Milasinovich

That equates to Loosehead being covered by a hooker on the bench and a complete 1st choice backrow missing.
As per last season we don't get Houggard until the springboks have finished with him.

You usually beat us in "A" games. (Sm14)


Scott Wilson
Davy Wilson
Sam Lockwood
Evan Olmsted
Sean Robinson
Opeti Fonua
Ryan Burrows
Ally Hogg
Michael Young
Toby FLOOD
Dom Waldouck
Maxime Mermoz
Sinoti Sinoti
Niki Goneva
Zach Kibirige
DTH Van Der Merwe

This is what we are missing 13/14 of them are starting 23. But I'll be there hoping for a win COYF!!

Re: Official team v Worcester
UnofficialEnglandRugby 01 September, 2017 08:34
It would not surprise me if we don't see any of them until Philadelphia (Sm161)

Re: Official team v Worcester
Geordie 01 September, 2017 09:32
This is a good example where the blanket silence of injury information becomes a problem.

At least if we knew who was injured we'd not be so questioning over certain selections.

PS the dour crowd comment....There has been huge optimism following a great summer of transfers. Now most of us don't expect to see all of them in, in the first few weeks etc...however the involvement or one or two would be nice.

Add in the fact the back 3 is solid and dependable when young Adam Radwan etc has been tearing up pitches all summer raises a few questions.

However I will be shouting my lungs out for them regardless and I think we should be able to start the season off with a workmanlike victory without much panache...

Re: Official team v Worcester
Cantabrian 01 September, 2017 09:53
Agree with you completely Geordie F. Just wonder if there might be some suprise late changes to the squad before kick off. Its happened before.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Cumbrian_falcon 01 September, 2017 10:46
As a lot have already said, there are not many positives to take from that announced squad.

I have a feeling this will be a close tight game now, whereas before, I thought we might win by 8-10 but look comfortable. I hope I'm proven wrong and we put 20+ points on them at full time.

A lot of questions need answering and I'm still hopeful. It shows that we can be disappointed with the squad we now have.

It seems quite a few of the squad have played very little in pre-season and are starting/squad – Tait, Cavubati, Green, J Welsh.

• Fitness questions on Matavesi.
• The form from ore-season of Cooper (throwing poor) and Agulla who was poor at Edinburgh game.
• Why is JPS not in the side?
• Why are the standouts in pre-season youngsters nowhere near the squad, Sowery (had 2 very good games in preseason), Glen Young, Radwan, Uzokwe?

• Happy to see Hammersley back and to see how Chick and Witty go.

Re: Official team v Worcester
dick g 01 September, 2017 11:27
Quote:
alnwickfalcon
As a lot have already said, there are not many positives to take from that announced squad.
I have a feeling this will be a close tight game now, whereas before, I thought we might win by 8-10 but look comfortable. I hope I'm proven wrong and we put 20+ points on them at full time.

A lot of questions need answering and I'm still hopeful. It shows that we can be disappointed with the squad we now have.

It seems quite a few of the squad have played very little in pre-season and are starting/squad – Tait, Cavubati, Green, J Welsh.

• Fitness questions on Matavesi.
• The form from ore-season of Cooper (throwing poor) and Agulla who was


poor at Edinburgh game.
• Why is JPS not in the side?
• Why are the standouts in pre-season youngsters nowhere near the squad, Sowery (had 2 very good games in preseason), Glen Young, Radwan, Uzokwe?

• Happy to see Hammersley back and to see how Chick and Witty go.

JPS is in the side. It is now a 23 man game with 15 starters plus 8 finishers.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Rafpilot2000 01 September, 2017 11:34
WAgree that it is significantly weaker than we hoped to see give the influx of talent and existing players. I guess the question to be asked is, does Worcester at home justify playing and risking injury to your star players? Is this game seen as winnable without them leaving them fresh for the more testing trips? Should you always field a full strength team or a team that should be able to do just enough?
Obviously as a fan, if I pay my money I want to see the star players on the pitch. Equally Worcester are a quality team with something to prove and a desire not to be in a relegation battle this season. That said, they are not Bath, or Saracens or Leicester or Wasps

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 01 September, 2017 11:40
Can't argue with much of the squad not knowing who's available and who's not but what else could Radwan have done to earn a squad place?

Re: Official team v Worcester
markismith50 01 September, 2017 12:14
Adam injured his knee at Doncaster last weekend, for those asking. Doesn't seem too bad, touch wood.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Lowch 01 September, 2017 12:48
Any news on Mermoz, Smithy? Will he be available for the Sale game?

Re: Official team v Worcester
markismith50 01 September, 2017 12:54
Hi. Sorry, I'm not going to tell the Sale coaches which players will be available against them. Though I do appreciate the thirst for information, absolutely.

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 01 September, 2017 13:58
I understand not communicating who's missing the games ahead but it's nice to let fans know why others haven't been picked at the squad announcement. That way, the weeks training has been done and the opposition are none the wiser.

Wasps do it at the end of their selection. Nice touch.

[www.wasps.co.uk]

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 01 September, 2017 14:04
There are some pretty tasty teams going out this weekend. Bath v Leics could be a cracker. Tigers backline consisting of Ford, Toomua, Tuilagi, May and Veainu!

Re: Official team v Worcester
markismith50 01 September, 2017 15:29
It's an age-old argument, mannin. I absolutely appreciate and do take your point, but Dean has been pretty clear many times when asked about how much injury info we release. It's basically his call.

I realise this isn't something you'll agree on, and I'm really not dismissing the validity of your point.

Hopefully we can at least agree on the fact we hope it's a cracking game tonight from the 23 who are involved, and that the 'right' result is achieved!

Re: Official team v Worcester
mannin 01 September, 2017 16:19
I know Smithy. Bit of Deano's old school i guess and it's his call. Just thought the Wasps approach was nice.

Re: Official team v Worcester
markismith50 01 September, 2017 17:35
Totally take your point mannin. It's a valid argument.

Re: Official team v Worcester
Running Rugby 01 September, 2017 19:22
Anyone know where i can get radio coverage for tonights game?
Radio newcastle have some sort of festival they are covering in hull, for some reason, and the bbc feed of the match coverage doesn't seem to be working.....

Re: Official team v Worcester
DB23 01 September, 2017 20:46
Half time; Falcons 10 Worcester 3. So far, so good for the patchesd up end-of-season squad.

Done a lot of defending but a good try scored by Alex Tait.

Started right from the off too, not the usual slow start. Straight at it from the kick off, good to see

Re: Official team v Worcester
w4rriorz1980 01 September, 2017 22:13
Quote:
Running Rugby
Anyone know where i can get radio coverage for tonights game?
Radio newcastle have some sort of festival they are covering in hull, for some reason, and the bbc feed of the match coverage doesn't seem to be working.....
bbc Hereford and Worcester online.

Re: Official team v Worcester
aidanb 01 September, 2017 23:22
Slow first half but then again you could argue that it was laying the groundwork for the impressive second half.


No way on this earth should that Worcester try have stood

The scorers right arm was in touch as he was about to ground it and then his body crossed the touch as well

Poor decision.

What was interesting to see was the way Worcester targeted Agulla with high balls but he just came back at them stronger in other areas of his game.

Late in the game he was part of a two man tackle team 5 yards from our line and then jackelled for the ball like a 7. Penalty won and deserved high fives from his team mates.

Re: Official team v Worcester
steve1888 02 September, 2017 07:54
I've not been a fan of Agulla but he was good last night. Selection will be tough going forward but what every coach wants I guess.

Re: Official team v Worcester
pityacker 02 September, 2017 09:34
Totally agree Steve , I saw him at Melrose last week and he was very moderate however last night he had what is probably his best game for Falcons. I was really disappointed when I saw the team announcement backline however they proved most of us wrong and put their bodies on the line for a great result. Matavesi at 12 despite his size is less of a block busting centre than Socino but has lovely hands and I thought did very well last night and looks like being a real asset to the squad.


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