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Newcastle Falcons v Cornish Pirates 16 FEB - Teams Up


By Falcons
February 14 2020

 

Greene King Championship

Newcastle Falcons v Cornish Pirates

Saunday 16th February 2020 – Kick Off 3pm, Kingston Park Stadium, live on Sky Sports Arena) 

Newcastle Falcons welcome back top try-scorer Adam Radwan for Sunday’s visit of promotion rivals Cornish Pirates.

The winger has sped in for nine tries in his 11 appearances this season for the Greene King IPA Championship leaders, coming in as one of two changes against the third-placed Pirates.   The other switch sees Toby Flood slotting in at inside centre, Johnny Williams pushing to outside centre in place of the injured George Wacokecoke   Full Offy Preview here 

Cornish Pirates did have ambitions to gain premiership status starting with their 5 S’s plan but now this slash in RFU funding might put pay to their hopes for the future.  This was how they saw there future.

Following the restructuring in September 2016 Cornish Pirates are one year into their five year plan. Based around the five S’s the plan is…

  • Success on the Pitch
  • Sustainability off the Pitch
  • Sponsors and Finance
  • Stadium 4 Cornwall
  • Size of Crowd

More about their future ambitions here

 

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Arscott, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 Johnny Williams, 12 Toby Flood, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Michael Young (co-captain),  1 Logovi'i Mulipola, 2 George McGuigan (co-captain), 3 Mike Daniels, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Callum Chick, 7 Will Welch, 8 Nemani Nagusa

Replacements 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Trevor Davison, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Ben Stevenson,  23 Gareth Owen

 

Cornish Pirates: 15 Kyle Moyle, 14 Alex O'Meara, 13 Rory Parata, 12 Callum Patterson, 11 AJ Cant, 10 Javier Rojas Alvarez, 9 Alex Schwarz, 1 Jack Andrew, 2 Tom Channon, 3 Craig Mitchell, 4 Danny Cutmore, 5 Brett Beukeboom (captain), 6 Josh Caulfield, 7 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 8 James McRae

Replacements:  16 Dan Frost, 17 Hayden King, 18 Jay Tyack, 19 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 20 Paddy Ryan, 21 Rhodri Davies, 22 Will Cargill, 23 Harry Davey

Referee: Adam Leal.

 

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Newcastle Falcons v Cornish Pirates 16 FEB - Teams Up
Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 14/02/2020 12:28
FalconsRugby.org.uk
14/02/2020 12:28
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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ed.up.north
14/02/2020 13:28
Really pleased to see Connon hold on to the 10 shirt. I'll be interested to see how JW goes at outside centre, it'll be a different kind of game than what we're used to with Flood as a second distributor. Good also to see Stevenson back in the 23. Peterson and Robinson is a great pairing, assuming we go up that has to be our no1 second row combo.

matt1il
14/02/2020 16:43
Have I missed something on Joel being injured?

markismith50
14/02/2020 17:52
Joel was 24th man last weekend

Wensleydale Falcon
14/02/2020 19:06
It must near impossible to keep all the players happy with game time throughout the season.

matt1il
14/02/2020 19:24
Quote:
markismith50
Joel was 24th man last weekend

Ok, Common must be playing/training well to keep him out! Hopefully he can kick on over the next few months to prep for next season

NorfolkFalcon
14/02/2020 20:45
It’s good that we are now getting consistency in selection and this is starting to translate on the field.

Pirates will be a tough test. Looking forward to watch it on the box.

BedfordFalcon
15/02/2020 10:23
Do we think the match will be played? Are the pirates already up here? If not travelling today is going to be perilous.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2020:02:15:10:25:53 by BedfordFalcon.

markismith50
15/02/2020 10:26
Yeah, it’ll be fine.

BedfordFalcon
15/02/2020 10:47
Thanks Mark. Was a bit worried I might have had to go shopping instead!

markismith50
15/02/2020 10:57
Forecast is windy, but doesn’t seem to be anything we’re not used to. Of course if anything changes we’ll communicate via club channels, but there’s no suggestion it will.

Falc Dancer
15/02/2020 12:45
That’s the benefit of a 4G pitch
A few years back I would be worried about the state of the pitch but not anymore
Really looking forward to the game after missing Ampthill although the weather may be a leveller on the day
Team looks strong. Pack looks strong with impact off the bench as well

Pirates have a good fly half, Alvarez, I’ll be interested to see how he goes. Our line speed to close his space will need to be on it

Leipziger
16/02/2020 12:15
Good to hear the game should be on. I was going to come over but not driving in this crazy wind and after the heavy rain yesterday. Stay safe and enjoy the game everyone!

NorfolkFalcon
16/02/2020 15:46
An absolute joy to watch so far. Just pure domination.

SouthFalcon27
16/02/2020 15:52
Best half of the season by far. Pirates cannot live with our pace.

And the Mulipola through the legs is among the greatest things I’ve ever seen.

ed.up.north
16/02/2020 16:59
My proudest day as a Falcons fan since we beat Montpellier at home last season. A monumental performance from every single player. My personal highlights were Peterson, Takulua, Williams, Arscott, and most of all Connon who I thought had a real shout for player of the match. What a performance.

BedfordFalcon
16/02/2020 17:17
Great performance. Amongst many good things I thought flood looked great at inside centre. Really good game vision

Osric
16/02/2020 17:31
Great performance. Thought Williams was immense in defence

aidanb
16/02/2020 17:37
Peterson in the forwards
Williams or Arscott in the backs

The rest were very good but one of those three was my man of the match.

SouthFalcon27
16/02/2020 17:44
Best performance of the season. Intensity dropped a bit in the last 25, but being up 33-0 will do that to you. First half was excellent, Pirates had no clue how to defend anything we did, and couldn't get anything going in attack.

Connon has to keep the 10 shirt now, we look so much faster with him playing, and with Williams and Wacokecoke filling 12-13 we'll finally be able to play at a high pace. Arscott was excellent, him and Hodge sharing 15 for the rest of the season will be fun.

Only quibble would be replacement 9. I know it was last minute, but would rather see N-K or Pascoe given 20 minutes than Hodgson.

aidanb
16/02/2020 17:54
That was a bitter cold day out there and the match was on tv

So it was great to see 6300 people there.

Well done to all who worked hard to get that crowd out and well done to all who braved the cold.

I was never more grateful for a hot car on the way home.

trummy200
16/02/2020 19:06
Quote:
telfs123
Best performance of the season. Intensity dropped a bit in the last 25, but being up 33-0 will do that to you. First half was excellent, Pirates had no clue how to defend anything we did, and couldn't get anything going in attack.
Connon has to keep the 10 shirt now, we look so much faster with him playing, and with Williams and Wacokecoke filling 12-13 we'll finally be able to play at a high pace. Arscott was excellent, him and Hodge sharing 15 for the rest of the season will be fun.

Only quibble would be replacement 9. I know it was last minute, but would rather see N-K or Pascoe given 20 minutes than Hodgson.

You don't like him do you

alas
16/02/2020 19:07
Good performance, especially the point a minute opening quarter which was virtually error free despite the windy conditions.

dick g
16/02/2020 20:00
Best performance in front of the biggest crowd. My only moan was about the time the PA invited us to walk 500 miles with the Proclaimers instead of the usual suggestion that we gan alang the Scotswood Road. We are Geordies not Jocks.

SouthFalcon27
16/02/2020 20:05
Quote:
trummy200
Quote:
telfs123
Best performance of the season. Intensity dropped a bit in the last 25, but being up 33-0 will do that to you. First half was excellent, Pirates had no clue how to defend anything we did, and couldn't get anything going in attack.
Connon has to keep the 10 shirt now, we look so much faster with him playing, and with Williams and Wacokecoke filling 12-13 we'll finally be able to play at a high pace. Arscott was excellent, him and Hodge sharing 15 for the rest of the season will be fun.

Only quibble would be replacement 9. I know it was last minute, but would rather see N-K or Pascoe given 20 minutes than Hodgson.

You don't like him do you


Don't like who? Hodgson? I've called for him to play 10 all season (although happy to be proven wrong with Connon's recent excellent performances). I just think someone who is actually the future of the scrum half position at the club should be getting some game time at scrum half...

Forgive me for such novel thinking.

matt1il
16/02/2020 20:06
Quote:
telfs123
Best performance of the season. Intensity dropped a bit in the last 25, but being up 33-0 will do that to you. First half was excellent, Pirates had no clue how to defend anything we did, and couldn't get anything going in attack.
Connon has to keep the 10 shirt now, we look so much faster with him playing, and with Williams and Wacokecoke filling 12-13 we'll finally be able to play at a high pace. Arscott was excellent, him and Hodge sharing 15 for the rest of the season will be fun.

Only quibble would be replacement 9. I know it was last minute, but would rather see N-K or Pascoe given 20 minutes than Hodgson.

Tbf Takalua was the replacement 9, but Young dropped out and Hodgson was 24th man so not much choice there

Falc Dancer
16/02/2020 20:13
A solid performance
A very good win

Marco19819
16/02/2020 21:20
Excellent win indeed in front of a fantastic crowd. I like connon a lot.

Radwan a joy. Williams, can he stay fit, is as good a centre as you will find and Arscott played really well too. Robinson is a fantastic lock and we can field big nuggets horrible back row forwards with regularity.

Ah you the ideal impact sub and I think blamire will be a big player for the club in the future.

My only issue was that the scrum went down the pipe when trevor came on. I REALLY love Trevor though.

Barry555
16/02/2020 22:15
Much better performance today. Pretty dominant and consistent.

Radwan class. Connon mature. Williams looks back to his best.

I have to say Arscott was immense. One or two iffy decisions running it back from the backfield but even then he was still making yards. If you’d have said at the end of last season he’d be our most consistent performer I’d have laughed in your face after his woeful performances last year. Credit to him for knuckling down and grafting. He’s having a great season!

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 08:10
Quote:
Barry555
Much better performance today. Pretty dominant and consistent.
Radwan class. Connon mature. Williams looks back to his best.

I have to say Arscott was immense. One or two iffy decisions running it back from the backfield but even then he was still making yards. If you’d have said at the end of last season he’d be our most consistent performer I’d have laughed in your face after his woeful performances last year. Credit to him for knuckling down and grafting. He’s having a great season!

I agree. I give him a bit of a hard time but only because I think he’s a more natural winger than a fullback. However he was absolutely superb yesterday, a potent attacking threat and to his credit, he looked good defensively as well.

AFalcon24
17/02/2020 08:23
Sounds like a great performance.

steve1888
17/02/2020 08:26
I alwyas thought Hodgson was a better 9 than 10 anyway.

Arscott was MOTM for me , back to his best on that performance. Flood and Williams were good togther , Connon played well too and Takalua was lively also. Peterson had his best game but McGuigan was pick of the forwards IMO. Radwans 1st try showed he's more than just a speedster , he made a trick finish look easy.

Excellent team performance.

Bedlington Lad
17/02/2020 08:44
Really enjoyable game, especially the first twenty minutes, the guys looked unstoppable. I think Arscott has developed as a player since he joined the club, I thought he had a great game yesterday.

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 09:09
I have watched the game back last night & this morning and that was by far our best performance of the season, especially in the first half
Arscott and Takalua were very good
Peterson seems to have settled in now and had another good game as did McGuigan
The scrum & line out worked well the majority of the time

Did anyone else notice the building site type containers in the south east corner? Any idea why they are there?

aidanb
17/02/2020 09:49
Arscott had a very good game yesterday.

He has played like that for a while now.

In comparison to the Hammer his defence is better and in attack he doesn't run down as many blind alleys as the Hammer did.

markismith50
17/02/2020 10:05
FD, the containers are intended to be used as classrooms for some of our college students.

trummy200
17/02/2020 10:11
Telf- 'Don't like who? Hodgson? I've called for him to play 10 all season'

I appear to have confused you with someone else - I apologise for that.

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 11:06
Quote:
markismith50
FD, the containers are intended to be used as classrooms for some of our college students.

Cheers Smithy

upwardonward
17/02/2020 11:30
That was a top first half performance played with pace and quick ball. Everyone of them looked up for it. From a very solid pack, I was impressed with Robinson and Peterson who looked a good pairing. Welch who produced some very slick handling, along with Chick had excellent games too.
Radwan is the type of player who will put "bums on seats" and IMO his tackling and general all round physical game has matured with him. Was my MOM .
Connon I have criticised his kicking from hand but today he was first class not only from the tee, but from the hand.
Tane was also impressive and would be my first choice ,especially on the big games .His experience is invaluable.
The tackle of the match was from Rodney which was an absolute belter.I think he sent the guys gum shield to Belsay!
And the pass of the match was Mulipolas scoop backwards and between the legs.Now that was entertainment!
Second half was ok but lets just move on. 9 to go .
Upward and Onward.

Geordie
17/02/2020 13:10
Typical...one of the few games ive missed this season and they play like that.

Meh

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 14:35
I hope that isn’t the last we have seen of Takalua in a falcons shirt
Reading between the lines on various social media accounts something is in the offing

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 15:14
Quote:
Falc Dancer
I hope that isn’t the last we have seen of Takalua in a falcons shirt
Reading between the lines on various social media accounts something is in the offing

I picked up a reference to the same thing this morning on Facebook but I'm confused because I understood he is only half way through a four year contract?

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 15:36
Quote:
ed.up.north
Quote:
Falc Dancer
I hope that isn’t the last we have seen of Takalua in a falcons shirt
Reading between the lines on various social media accounts something is in the offing

I picked up a reference to the same thing this morning on Facebook but I'm confused because I understood he is only half way through a four year contract?

I heard the rumour about two weeks ago but it seems to have been confirmed on social media
I thought he was under contract as well
I really rate him, disappointing if it’s true

Geordie
17/02/2020 15:49
Are you suggesting this is something...with immediate effect ?

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 15:49
Quote:
Falc Dancer
Quote:
ed.up.north
Quote:
Falc Dancer
I hope that isn’t the last we have seen of Takalua in a falcons shirt
Reading between the lines on various social media accounts something is in the offing

I picked up a reference to the same thing this morning on Facebook but I'm confused because I understood he is only half way through a four year contract?

I heard the rumour about two weeks ago but it seems to have been confirmed on social media
I thought he was under contract as well
I really rate him, disappointing if it’s true

It would be a huge blow, he is one of the strongest players in our squad and in my view would be the linchpin of a Premiership campaign. Hopefully this is one of the rumours that has no substance.

RiponFalcon
17/02/2020 15:53
Signed new 4 year contract in August 2017 so definitely contracted for next year
Would be sorry to see him go buy an immediate departure would leave us very short at 9

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 16:08
Quote:
GeordieFalcon
Are you suggesting this is something...with immediate effect ?

I don’t know. The club will announce something when there’s something concrete but it seems something is happening

aidanb
17/02/2020 16:11
where are these socials you are talking about

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 16:23
Mainly instagram but Ed said he saw something on Facebook. The stuff on instagram seems absolute concrete

Geordie
17/02/2020 16:30
Ah well...if there is something lets hope the club give us the info.

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 16:30
Quote:
Falc Dancer
Mainly instagram but Ed said he saw something on Facebook. The stuff on instagram seems absolute concrete

Now seeing on Twitter that he’s being linked to Toulon to replace Rhys Webb but again, doesn’t tally with his contract status so hopefully just nonsense. If the club is releasing him early it would be an astonishing decision.

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 17:21
Quote:
RiponFalcon
http://www.rctoulon.com/joueur/tane-takulua/

Well that looks concrete enough to me
In the same week as the club expect people to part with their money for season tickets
Another high earning top player off the books

Annoyed doesn’t cover how I am feeling right now

Siders
17/02/2020 17:54
Yes looks like a done deal.

I wouldn’t rush to blame the club without the full facts. As much as it could be wage related it might well also be driven by Tane himself, e.g by family circumstances. We’re a rugby club, and I think Tane has given enough to be given some flexibility.

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 18:11
Quote:
Siders
Yes looks like a done deal.
I wouldn’t rush to blame the club without the full facts. As much as it could be wage related it might well also be driven by Tane himself, e.g by family circumstances. We’re a rugby club, and I think Tane has given enough to be given some flexibility.

I will wait for an official club announcement but as it appears to be Toulon that he’s leaving for who have released Rhys Webb, the club will have been approached to release him
If Tane wanted to go then the club holding him back wouldn’t benefit anyone
Having to use Joel as scrum half cover yesterday tells me that we have issues at 9 and losing Tane weakens us more.
The club have shed a lot of wages this season (Penny, Cooper, Matavesi, Takalua on top of Goneva, Hammersley, Harris, Wilson out on loan) and an idea of what the clubs aims are for next season would be most welcome

Exiled Falcon
17/02/2020 18:19
The guy has stayed to help us get back up. If he moves on (is it confirmed?) he’s done his bit to help our promotion. Good luck to him.

Siders
17/02/2020 18:20
I agree with that.

It’s all speculation, but I’d have thought the French wages and the south of France lifestyle might be a real pull for someone at Tane’s stage of his career.

Siders
17/02/2020 18:22
The challenge we face though is the incoming signings (if there are any) are surely only going to want to go public once our promotion is mathematically confirmed.

At a guess- I think that’d be close to happening on the day of ‘the big one’

lizard118
17/02/2020 18:24
Wouldn't begrudge him the move. He's been a good servant. He was good the season before last but appeared suffer from a drop of form last season. He's 29 years now and I think we've had the best years out of him.

Exiled Falcon
17/02/2020 18:28
Hey Siders, the South of France lifestyle would have suited me at any stage of my career!!

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 18:33
Quote:
lizard118
Wouldn't begrudge him the move. He's been a good servant. He was good the season before last but appeared suffer from a drop of form last season. He's 29 years now and I think we've had the best years out of him.

I absolutely agree with you about his contribution to the club, but my concern is about who is there to take his place. Micky Young is 31 now and although I think he's looked a lot sharper this season than last, we can't pretend he's our long-term future due to his age. Sam Stuart has disappeared this season (injured perhaps?) and then behind him I presume is Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti who I believe picked up an injury in the Melrose game, but who hasn't had anything like enough senior squad exposure to throw him into Premiership action, assuming we go up.

I always assumed you sign a contract with a player so that you know how long they will be with you for, *and* so that you can plan your succession accordingly.

Wensleydale Falcon
17/02/2020 18:37
We will get an idea of the direction that the club intends to go in next season (once promotion is confirmed, hopefully) as there’s still a lot more points needed to get there just yet !!

Once again posters jumping to assumptions and conclusions doesn’t benefit anyone. When the times right we will find out, as we always do.

Players come and go every season at pretty much every club for a wide variety of reasons. We will also have a churn of players I’m sure, but again, as always I put my trust in Semore and the management team to get us where we need to be.

Siders
17/02/2020 18:38
Quote:
ed.up.north

I absolutely agree with you about his contribution to the club, but my concern is about who is there to take his place. Micky Young is 31 now and although I think he's looked a lot sharper this season than last, we can't pretend he's our long-term future due to his age. Sam Stuart has disappeared this season (injured perhaps?) and then behind him I presume is Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti who I believe picked up an injury in the Melrose game, but who hasn't had anything like enough senior squad exposure to throw him into Premiership action, assuming we go up.

I always assumed you sign a contract with a player so that you know how long they will be with you for, *and* so that you can plan your succession accordingly.

Take your point, but things change all the time. 3 years into a 4 year contract is a fair bit different to if he had wanted out after 1 year, and as others have said, is possible he had a relegation clause in that wasn’t exercised.

Your broader point about backup is reasonable though- we definitely need a new scrum half. Challenge is, there aren’t masses around (which is probably why Toulon have gone for Tane as Webb’s replacement).

Barry555
17/02/2020 18:56
If this is true and it’s an IF then all I’d like to say is a big thanks to Tane. Given his all in a falcons shirt and has been a standout over the years. Can’t begrudge a loyal servant of the club the chance to earn big money with the French lifestyle of Toulon!

Definitely would require a replacement but as been mentioned anyone out there who matches his quality and ability available right now? Probs best waiting till end of the season. Not like we need a international scrum half right now is it?

SouthFalcon27
17/02/2020 19:27
This possibly adds more credence to the Ben Spencer rumours. Would be very sad to see Tane go, hopefully if going as a medical joker to Toulon it could be a loan until end of the season?

If Tane is off, would hope to see some more of N-K or Pascoe over the rest of the season

Geordie
17/02/2020 19:32
A good chance to look at Pascoe amd Kelemteti

Barry555
17/02/2020 19:39
Quote:
telfs123
This possibly adds more credence to the Ben Spencer rumours. Would be very sad to see Tane go, hopefully if going as a medical joker to Toulon it could be a loan until end of the season?
If Tane is off, would hope to see some more of N-K or Pascoe over the rest of the season

First I’ve heard of this one! As Smithy says got to take things with a pinch of salt. But certainly wouldn’t mind Ben Spencer heading north!

Would like to see more of N-K and Pascoe If they are ready. Rather give those lads a shot then have Hodgson cover at 9.

NorfolkFalcon
17/02/2020 20:04
I’d be absolutely gutted if Tane leaves as he is my current favourite Falcon, however if the opportunity to go to Toulon arose I certainly wouldn’t begrudge him the move. He would go with my best wishes.

Back to the game, I’ll eat some humble pie on Arscott. He had a great game, reliable under the high ball and largely made good decision running the ball back.

I thought Callum Chick had one of his best games in a long time. Peterson and Daniels look like good signings, it was great to see a dominant scrum.

Falc Dancer
17/02/2020 20:05
Tane leaving the club for Toulon I can handle
I wouldn’t want to deny any player a chance to move to a club like Toulon
Losing a quality player mid season is my issue, and chances are he won’t be replaced until the end of the season
I want the best team possible on the pitch making sure we gain promotion. Tane in my opinion is our best scrum half

Barry555
17/02/2020 20:15
Agree Chick had a great game. Forgot about Daniels! Very much under the radar and yes been very solid and goes well around the park.

I’d rather save ourselves for end of season market then rashly recruit someone immediately...... losing someone like Tane you want a like for like replacement or someone better and if that means waiting then so be it. We’ve got way too much firepower for teams in this league we will be fine.

And anyway Tane is still a Falcons player until it’s been announced otherwise. So I expect him to be included in the games to come.

matt1il
17/02/2020 21:10
Tbf he's been the 2nd choice for a Championship club for much of this season (including Sat before Micky pulled out), so no one can blame him. Hopefully he stays until end of season.

This must give someone the opportunity of stepping up into the 2nd choice (or even ousting Micky).

It's a worry if he leaves immediately as suggested looking at Logo's post on Insta, as if Micky is injured we're suddenly down to very little experience in an important role.

And I think Hodgson was 24th man on Sat, so not set up as the replacement 9 but did the job as Micky pulled out late on, happy to be corrected here tho.

Wensleydale Falcon
17/02/2020 21:24
Not so sure he’s been our 2nd choice.

I would say that his game time has been managed after he played in the World Cup. He had a period of time where he had played an enormous amount of rugby without a significant break.

There’s a fundamental difference.

He’s been a great servant to the club and if all these rumours are true I Like many others will be extremely disappointed but can only wish him and his family well.

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 21:28
Quote:
matt1il
Tbf he's been the 2nd choice for a Championship club for much of this season (including Sat before Micky pulled out), so no one can blame him. Hopefully he stays until end of season.
This must give someone the opportunity of stepping up into the 2nd choice (or even ousting Micky).

It's a worry if he leaves immediately as suggested looking at Logo's post on Insta, as if Micky is injured we're suddenly down to very little experience in an important role.

And I think Hodgson was 24th man on Sat, so not set up as the replacement 9 but did the job as Micky pulled out late on, happy to be corrected here tho.

I think you’re correct on Hodgson but let’s face it, it was luck that it was 21 he had to cover has he does actually play scrum half. He wouldn’t have been much use if a lock had gone down before the game!

I hope he stays too but if the Toulon rumour is correct, and he is going to cover for Webb, then you’d assume he’d be going straight away since Webb has already been canned.

I think it’s a desperate shame if we are losing him. I haven’t noticed a drop in form, I think he’s one of the very best in our squad, consistently excellent and I had always assumed he’d be one of the core members of our squad next season when we will have a big job to do.

matt1il
17/02/2020 21:36
Quote:
Wensleydale Falcon
Not so sure he’s been our 2nd choice.

Just to be clear he'd be a long way my 1st choice.

But look at the last 2 seasons and Deano has started more with Micky.

Geordie
17/02/2020 21:54
Dont forget..Dean brought him in..so IF this is true then im sure its been on the cards for a while and Dean will try to find a suitable replacement.

Maybe another fairly under the radar signing ,like Tane himself was ....

Geordie
17/02/2020 22:02
Anyway...can i just ask what was impressive about Peterson on Sunday. Was he the huge physical lock we hoped he might be? Or was it something else?

ed.up.north
17/02/2020 22:20
Quote:
GeordieFalcon
Anyway...can i just ask what was impressive about Peterson on Sunday. Was he the huge physical lock we hoped he might be? Or was it something else?

He did some very impressive jackalling work. I saw at least three turnovers on the floor at his hands. He was good in the air, some very good carries. He comes across as a very athletic all-rounder, really delighted that he’s in the squad tbh.

aidanb
18/02/2020 08:19
Quote:
GeordieFalcon
Anyway...can i just ask what was impressive about Peterson on Sunday. Was he the huge physical lock we hoped he might be? Or was it something else?

his lineout work was excellent and up there with the work Green did in the lineout.

for me though though he was as good as Robinson around the park with his carrying, driving, tackling and support play.

Robinson and Peterson are looking like the best combo we have had for a while. I was never ever sure of the Witty/Green, Green/Robinson combo's as I always felt there was a lack of all round play from our locks.

These two seem to be providing that at the moment, making our pack a much better all round force.

Geordie
18/02/2020 10:08
Well that is good to hear.

We know how good Robinson is...be interesting to follow Petersons progression.

mannin
18/02/2020 14:11
Can't begrudge a player a move to Toulon at his stage of career, or be upset at the club if they've agreed to it. Sure it'll benefit both parties somehow.

Geordie
18/02/2020 14:15
Well Michel Young is joint Captain and Sam Stuart has been ok.

It would be nice to see pascoe or Kelemeti (if hes fit again) getting a few minutes

Rogerandout
18/02/2020 14:58
Good game, watched it back on tv as well.
Forwards performance of the season and the backs handling running and decoy lines was good.
Takulua is a very good player but if he leaves he will be replaced either from the academy or a signing. I am becoming keener on the young players coming in as the season progresses. We hadn’t really seen Connon til recently and he has been good.
Give the lads a go in their natural positions with some experienced pros around them and see how they go.

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