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The verdict on the Finn Russell Bath debut
Bath’s head of rugby Johann van Graan was pleased with Finn Russell’s debut performance in the 34-26 victory over Newcastle Falcons at the Recreation Ground.
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The Scotland and British & Irish Lions fly-half, Bath’s eye-catching summer signing, came on as a first-half replacement but it was skipper Ben Spencer who was the star of the show with a hat-trick of tries.
The home side touched down six times in all, the other tries going to Alfie Barbeary, Cameron Redpath and Will Muir, while Spencer also landed two conversions.
Newcastle caused the home side no end of trouble at the breakdown and scored three tries through Matias Orlando, Ben Stevenson and Jamie Blamire.
Reflecting on Russell’s first appearance in a Bath shirt, van Graan said: “It came earlier than he anticipated and we had to adapt, moving Orlando Bailey to inside centre.
“I thought he was calm – a very solid first performance.”
Van Graan also acknowledged the leadership of Spencer, adding: “I thought he did very well.
“He was good with his kicking game too, giving us field position and accuracy. It was nice for him to score three tries too. His last try was a very special one, very good skill execution.”
Van Graan continued: “There’s no easy team in this league. It was a tough battle and Newcastle stuck it out.
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“I thought we had some, let’s call them ‘soft moments’, in our own 22 but once we got that ruck set Ben got us up to the half-way line.
“Not a lot of nines in world rugby can do that. He does it with both feet. It was a good performance, a good start for us.
“We found a different way to win. It’s the first game of the season – we play for points now. Newcastle didn’t go away. They kept at it for the 80 minutes.”
Newcastle head coach Alex Codling admitted there were plenty of positives from his side.
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He said: “There was a lot to be proud of. I loved our mind-set to attack, our courage and tenacity, and I thought the game swung on a couple of key incidents.
“One of those was when we thought we had scored, and on another day we get that decision, and then we concede a try quickly after to make it a 14-point swing.
“To a man, the lads showed huge desire. They stuck to the plan and ultimately I’m disappointed and sad for them that they weren’t rewarded with the result.
“I also want to thank the supporters who made the trip all the way down here because they were brilliant in getting behind the team.”
Facing a six-day turnaround before taking on Gloucester, Codling added: “We feel like we deserved something from the game but we didn’t get it so we’ll just have to make sure on Friday against Gloucester we convert all that good work into a result.
“I take loads of positives from the day and the biggest challenge is executing our chances. There were loads of good learning points and I’m really enthused by the effort and ambition of the boys.
“Having two yellow cards is always going to make things tough but I loved our intent to play. On a couple of occasions we perhaps forced one pass too many but I can’t fault the lads too much.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
22 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
22 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
44 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
44 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
44 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
7 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
7 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
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