Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'It looked like this team hadn’t been coached for 6 weeks'

By PA
Connor Doherty of Newcastle Falcons reacts during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and Leicester Tigers at Kingston Park on October 05, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Leicester Tigers attack coach Peter Hewat expressed his pride at his side’s performance after they scored seven tries to beat Newcastle Falcons 42-10 at Kingston Park.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tigers were without head coach Michael Chieka due to a one-match ban and after a cagey start, they began to pull ahead and were leading 20-3 at half-time before earning the bonus point after the break.

They then rounded off a ruthless display with three further tries and Hewat admitted it was a pleasing performance away from home.

Video Spacer

Jake White on Moodie’s future as a Bok centre

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:22
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:22
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
    • en (Main), selected
    Video Spacer

    Jake White on Moodie’s future as a Bok centre

    He said: “Really pleased with the performance, to come away from home, particularly to come up here and get a bonus point win, really happy and proud.

    “More so for the players, as I said at the start of the week, we asked our senior players to step up and I thought they drove the team this week.”

    Leicester’s only real scare of the game came in the second half when they were suddenly reduced to 13 after Anthony Watson and Hanro Liebenberg were sin-binned in quick succession.

    Fixture
    Gallagher Premiership
    Newcastle
    10 - 42
    Full-time
    Leicester
    All Stats and Data

    Newcastle scored their only try of the game in that period through Callum Chick on his 150th appearance for the club, but Hewat praised the character in the team in navigating tricky spells.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “I spoke to the boys after the game around just showing that ability to stay in the fight,” Hewat added.

    “We went down to 13 and even at the back end of the game there we were defending our line and didn’t want to give in, that’s the character that we’re building here and I’m sure the boss would’ve been happy with what he saw.”

    Hewat also hailed an “outstanding” performance from the younger players in the squad, including Joseph Woodward and replacement Will Wand, who scored a try on debut with a brilliant interception.

    “I thought they were all outstanding,” he said.

    “Someone like Woody, who’s only a young kid, I thought he showed real composure, he’s got time on the ball, he was a bit nervous early on, but that’s to be expected and I’m really proud of him.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    “Wandy coming on, defended really well under a little bit of pressure there, then the intercept try, I’m really happy for him.”

    It was another tough night for Newcastle, who were handed their 24th straight defeat in the Gallagher Premiership.

    They remain bottom of the table with three losses this season and Newcastle’s consultant rugby director Steve Diamond accepted responsibility for the defeat.

    “I think for a side that hadn’t had a coach all week they were remarkable, it looked like this team hadn’t been coached for six weeks,” Diamond said.

    “I’ve got to take responsibility for that performance, certainly didn’t see it coming.

    “I think we’ve made some great strides over the pre-season and the last couple of games.

    “Even though we’ve been competitive, I think tonight showed the gulf if we’re not on it mentally, and we weren’t on it for whatever reason.

    “That’s the question I’ve asked the team. We’re not going to change the training week, we’re going to come in as normal, review it and try and get better at it.

    “I think the performance was unacceptable from me right the way down to the kitmen tonight, we didn’t deliver for the sponsors, the supporters or the owner.”

    Related

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

    Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

    New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

    Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

    Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

    The Rise of Kenya | The Report

    New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

    The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

    Trending on RugbyPass

    Comments

    1 Comment
    M
    MB 182 days ago

    I am really pulling for Newcastle to turn it around this season. I like what Steve Diamond has to say, I just hope it works!

    Join free and tell us what you really think!

    Sign up for free
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Latest Features

    Comments on RugbyPass

    TRENDING
    TRENDING Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies Ex-Scotland captain and British & Irish Lions star Laidlaw dies
    Search