'If you are talking about straight line speed then it would be Adam'
International wings Adman Radwan and Mateo Carreras, arguably the fastest double act in the Premiership, are being backed to deliver the world-class speed to give Newcastle a shock win over Saracens at Kingston Park on Sunday.
Argentina wing Carreras delivered a brilliant try double to help Newcastle to a first victory of the season over Bristol who arrived in the North East as Premiership leaders but left to reflect on a 30-15 defeat based around the searing pace of the Falcons wings.
Radwan has recaptured the form that won him two caps for England a year ago that produced four tries , including a hat trick on debut against Canada. Head coach Eddie Jones added Radwan to this week’s three England training camp and he is now back returned to a Falcons side that now boats real Pumas Power with centre Matias Orlando joined in midfield by Matias Moroni a member of Leicester’s Premiership winning squad last season.
Orlando and Moroni will pose real problems for Saracens who thumped Leicester 51-18 and they will be tasked with getting the ball early into the hands of Radwan and Carreras.
So, which of the turbocharged wings is the fastest? “If you are talking about straight line speed then it would be Adam but when it comes to shorter bursts and the ability to maintain that when jinking and changing direction it would Mateo,” said forwards coach Micky Ward who played nearly 300 games for the club and famously wears shorts whatever the weather in the North East. “From the GPS read outs then Adam is the quickest but Mateo’s forte is that change of pace and angles.
“The two are great finishers and it is brilliant to have that pace and if you give them the ball you will get something from them. On our track (4G) and the way things are going these two are the best fit.
“Saracens have top end players and blew Leicester away in the second half and we have to hope it will be cold, wet and windy to play into our hands. Our attitude against Bristol was spot on and showed that we are a match for anyone. We want to be the first team that turns Saracens over this season by getting stuck into them.”
The Falcons celebrated victory over Bristol with their team song “Blaydon Races” which Ward admitted was tough for Moroni to join in. “We haven’t had time to get him up to speed with Blaydon Races. Normally one person leads and we thought about getting Matias Moroni to do it but maybe by the Saracens match. The Argentine players do speak to each other in Spanish which is fine but when they communicate with the rest of the squad they switch to English. They have had lessons and they way they go between the two is outstanding.
“Matais( Moroni) did great last year winning the title and had just come back from playing against South Africa and has been getting up to speed with the moves by Zoom during the Rugby Championship.”
While Radwan and Carreras provide the rapier in Newcastle’s attack, the bludgeon is firmly held by hooker George McGuigan who scored 27 tries – most from short range – in all competitions last season and has already grabbed five to jointly lead the Premiership try table to take his total to 15 in 2022. McGuigan was also called up by England and is set to play a role in the Autumn test series with Saracens Jamie George ruled out with a foot injury.
Ward added: “We have been banging a drum for George for the last 18 months because of his form telling all the England coaches to look at him. Eddie saw him live against Bristol and then called him in. Technically, George is very good and has been around the block and at the back of the maul he knows when to break off and get those tries.
“Jamie Blamire is also an outstanding hooker and has been helping us by playing in the back row.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to comments