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'I'm proud': Richards' first post-Newcastle gig is quite poignant
Ex-Newcastle boss Dean Richards has landed himself his first coaching opportunity since quitting the Falcons after ten years as their director of rugby. The former England No8 stepped away from the Gallagher Premiership coalface at the end of the 2021/22 season in June.
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There was speculation at the time that Richards would remain on as a part-time consultant but nothing has yet been confirmed by Newcastle. In the meantime, he had been linked to the Danny Wilson vacancy at Glasgow Warriors which Franco Smith has now filled after a standoff with the Italian federation over a contract break was resolved.
To keep his hand in, though, Richards has agreed to be the head coach for the latest fund-raising match involving the Matt Ratana Marauders XV, the team founded in honour of the former policeman who was tragically killed in the line of duty in 2020.
Richards well knows the policing life as he was formerly a police officer himself before moving into full-time rugby back in the 1990s. He also joined the resilience unit of the Northumbria Police during the 2020 lockdown to assist in the preparation of hundreds of pieces of personal protective equipment for use by front-line officers.
Richards will now be at London Irish Amateur RFC on August 20 to coach the Ratana Marauders in their game against an England Police XV. In a message published on social media by the Ratana Foundation, Richards said: “It’s a great honour to be the head coach of the Matt Ratana Marauders XV for our match against England Police XV.
“I was saddened by what happened to Matt and, as a former police officer, have been deeply moved by the creation of the Matt Ratana Rugby Foundation in his name and with his values. I am proud to support the foundation.
“Matt’s evident enthusiasm for rugby and his love of life is apparent from the testimony of his family and friends. Through the foundation and in Matt’s memory we can help others through the sport Matt loved so much and ensure Matt has a lasting legacy.
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“I’m very much looking forward to the matches and entertainment on Saturday, August 20, at Hazelwood the home of London Irish training centre and London Irish Amateur RFC in Sunbury-on-Thames. It will be another wonderful occasion and I hope to see many of our rugby community, families and other supporters down there to enjoy the action.”
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