Leaders Leicester spoil Dean Richards' Kingston Park farewell
Leaders Leicester clinched their 19th Premiership win of the season with a gritty 27-5 victory over Newcastle at Kingston Park. Tries from Nemani Nadolo and Guy Porter, bolstered by the boot of George Ford, secured the points for the table-topping Tigers, with Freddie Steward scoring late on.
Hooker George McGuigan, who was included in the England squad named last Tuesday, did cross for Falcons but the hosts slipped to a 16th defeat of the season and remain eleventh in the Premiership table. The visitors made a fast start and could have been ahead in the opening minute of the game but were forced into touch.
Leicester grabbed the first try in the 14th minute with Nadolo barging his way over from close range before Ford added the extras. Ford kicked a penalty to take Leicester out to a ten-point lead in the 20th minute after McGuigan had been penalised at the breakdown.
The closest Newcastle came to any points in the opening half-an-hour of the game was when a break from Micky Young was kicked forward and Chris Ashton narrowly beat McGuigan to the loose ball. Tigers thought they had a second try through Ellis Genge but there was no clear grounding, with Falcons down to 14 men after Adam Brocklebank was sin-binned for a crocodile roll on Nic Dolly.
As the game approached half-time, the TMO was called into action again when Falcons were held up over the line – denying them a try – but with the advantage being played, they kicked to the corner. From the penalty, they were held up over the line again, with McGuigan being denied by the TMO.
A bright start to the second half from the Falcons – in Dean Richards’ last home game in charge – saw them almost claim their first points of the game. A break from Young released Josh Basham but in attempting to offload the ball, he knocked it on. The pressure finally told for Newcastle as constant pressure in the Leicester 22 was rewarded with McGuigan burrowing his way over from a couple of metres out. From out on the left touchline, Joel Hodgson was unable to convert.
Tigers came back at Newcastle and despite a spell of dominance close to the Falcons line, they only came away with three points thanks to the boot of Ford, who kicked a penalty after an infringement by the Falcons defence.
Porter added the second try for the Tigers with a lovely step to beat the last defender and go under the posts after they created an overlap from the breakdown, with Ford adding the conversion from in front of the posts. Steward added gloss to the scoreline as he collected a cross-field kick from Ford and touched down in the corner.
Ford was once again on the money as he converted from the right touchline to fire Leicester to another win and cement their status at the top of the table.
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
8 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
8 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to comments