Exeter Chiefs sign Falcons hooker on loan
Exeter Chiefs have moved to strengthen their options at hooker by agreeing a loan move for Newcastle Falcons forward Kyle Cooper.
With club captain Jack Yeandle sidelined with a broken arm, plus fellow No.2 Jack Innard also out following shoulder surgery, Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, has wasted little time in addressing the issue by bringing in the 30-year-old South African until the end of March.
Signed in the summer of 2016 from Super Rugby side the Sharks, Cooper’s arrival will also help supplement any potential call-ups or rest period for England international Luke Cowan-Dickie.
“People will be aware Jack Yeandle has picked up a pretty significant arm injury with the break in his fore-arm,” said Baxter. “Jack Innard is also going to be out for around 12 weeks following a shoulder operation, plus Luke Cowan-Dickie will have to have an EPS rest in the next three weeks.
“At the same time, we’re not too far away from the start of the Six Nations and we have to anticipate that Luke will more than like be involved with that too, so when you look at all those factors, we’re starting to thin out a little.
“Obviously, Elvis Taione has stepped in and been a proven performer for us in the past. Jordon Poole has come in and looks like he will be a decent option too, but at the same time we can’t leave ourselves short in that scenario. We therefore looked around and it soon became apparent Kyle could be made available on a three to four-month loan period from Newcastle.
The latest in the decade-ending 15 for 10 series is our look at @ExeterChiefs , where were go back over the past 10 years and pick out the club’s most iconic XV.
– @alexshawsport selects: What you reckon Chiefs' fans?https://t.co/uK8Q01fjCn
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 2, 2019
“I spoke with Dean Richards [Newcastle’s Director of Rugby] and between us we agreed the loan period, subject to Newcastle not having any major injury issues of their own. We know Kyle is a proven Premiership performer, having seen him in the past, plus also when he’s played against us previously. As I said, we think this is the right thing to do to keep us at the strength levels we need for the challenges ahead over next few months.”
Richards, meanwhile, added: “This is a great opportunity for Kyle to play Premiership rugby, and we look forward to his return later in the season.
“We are in the fortunate position of having a number of options at hooker at the present time, including Kyle. Jamie Blamire is an outstanding academy product who has really stepped up and made a big impact on the first-team stage, George McGuigan is a proven performer who is one of our co-captains and Charlie Maddison has shown up well since arriving from Jersey.
“We wish Kyle all the best for his time down at Exeter, where I’m sure he will give a good account of himself.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to comments