Newcastle Falcons

If Goneva's attempt had come off he would have been off down the pitch as a hero, but if you try that right on the try line you will risk a penalty try, and in the circumstances although it seems harsh I don't think Doyle had any choice.

I usually like Doyle but he was loving himself yesterday, and yes the commentators wore worshiping him a bit too much too. As for the grass, you'd think they had never seen the stuff before. Unless I was missing something it was just grass.

At least we were beaten by a Sarries team that were actually a pleasure to watch. Some of the attacking phases were sublime, and to see our lads coping with it was a pleasure too.

Thanks for the comments Squawker, maybe see you at AP, still not made it there yet so hope to put that right soon.

Whenever JP Doyle refs one of the big boys, the 50:50 decisions only ever go one way. Wasn't expecting anything different.

In better news, our defence has taken leaps forward- only 3 tries conceded (1 of them v Wuss was utter rubbish by TMO, as well as the dodgy penalty try-I think goneva wasn't really trying to catch the ball, but it hit him in the face. So he actually should have been allowed to pick it up and run).

The negatives- Hodgson again has shown he can't control a game, and can't run a backline against above average defences. Can't wait to see Flood in. Basic skills were dreadful for the 2nd game running.

Thought the forwards had a good game, the back line had no ball to play with, Tane didn't have a good game his kicks were poor thought we played with a lot more pace when Stuart came on

Saracens were just too intense in their defence yesterday. I do think Sarries deserves to win 100% but let's be honest there were some pretty soft penalties given by JP Doyle. No way were they worth that lead in 3 pointers. Our defence has markedly improved which is good to see, the ball coming off Goneva's head would perhaps indicate that they shouldn't have been given a penalty try so really we've conceded 2 tries in 3 games.

I think sinoti was a liability in defence positional-wise, he seemed to be on the other side of the pitch half the time they were attacking down his channel. I'd start agulla over him next week if Tait is still missing.

All in all an expected result but can offer a reality check for the rest of the season.

It did make me smile when we were penalised for kicking the ball in the ruck yet Mako was only given a warning earlier for the same offence. To be fair they were playing advantage but he allowed play to continue despite that.

Quote:

NorfolkFalcon
It did make me smile when we were penalised for kicking the ball in the ruck yet Mako was only given a warning earlier for the same offence. To be fair they were playing advantage but he allowed play to continue despite that.

It didn't make me smile.

We were penalised and punished. Mako was allowed to get away with it.
Regardless of the advantage being played it showed a two tier strategy

ok now that the america weekend is over and all round three matches are done lets look at things.
Falcons are 4th in the table 2 points from top.
money in the bank (hope the kp development goes ahead)
great team bonding trip if nothing else for the squad.
we still have players to come back who strengthen the team.
defence was awesome

still a happy fan

on wards and upwards

I'might with you, DTT. Our reflection, preventing Fezzies from a bonus point and only allowing them across our line once is not totally negative.

Just sitting and reflecting before leaving the hotel here in Philly. I think the decision to get involved in this exercise was pragmatic and sound, if (when?) it takes off, the club can only benefit from a growing wave of awareness and participation over here. The travelling contingent have done a great job to ensure the club will held in high regard by US rugby, thanks in no small part to the efforts of those who spent the week coaching kids and their coaches across the wider region.
My US mates already want to come to KP for a game.

As far as the game goes, no-one should under-estimate the effect of the conditions - the humidity meant that the ball often didn't stick. It was a hard day at the office for all teams on the park. The penalty try shouldn't have been awarded - the ball came off Niki's head so he should have been allowed to carry on and score under the posts, making the score 14-22. In addition, one of Farrell's kicks looked like it drifted wide, so 14-19 would have given us the bonus point I think we deserved.

It's been an interesting weekend and perhaps Smithy can produce a full write-up explaining the positives and the possible longer term benefits.

Now I'll finish my burger and head home......

We lacked ball carrying power, I d rather see latu 7 Wilson 6 fonua 8. I m not sure what the coaches see in Sean Robinson. Personally I think that witty cavubati and Olmstead are way better

We do lack carrying power at the moment - I thought that was why he got Burrows in and is Fonua injured or something?

I've just watched and re-watched the sarries opener

It was a set piece ball which they ran in with relative ease.

The only tackle made was Sin Sin on the sarries blind side winger who was the extra man in the move.

How was he the extra man? Our blind side winger was still inside the 15 metre line out line on the ring side of the field when they scored.

John Wells had better be looking at it.
At first I thought it was our full back not making a nuisance of himself but he was left with a two on 1 because our openside winger had to commit and take the extra man.

Fortunately we improved in defence from that point on.

Quote:

Oneforthefatboys
We lacked ball carrying power, I d rather see latu 7 Wilson 6 fonua 8. I m not sure what the coaches see in Sean Robinson. Personally I think that witty cavubati and Olmstead are way better

Robinson has bags of energy and is like having an extra openside flanker. Obviously not as heavyweight as the others you mention but I think Robinson is about work rate and making a nuisance of himself.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been helped by a succession of injuries. But two years ago Robinson was getting glowing reports, until a spell of injuries.I personally rate him as he brings something different to the players you mentioned. He very much reminds me of Tom Croft. Obviously he's lighter to lift come lineout time too.