1
Ruthless Newcastle make it three wins from three with impressive showing at Wasps
A ruthless performance from start to finish saw newly-promoted Newcastle make it three league wins from three with a dominant 27-17 victory over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena. Wasps were forced into two very early changes, with Levi Douglas and James Gaskell both forced off under HIA protocol after a clash of heads, and the visitors took immediate advantage.
ADVERTISEMENT
They piled on the pressure and opened the scoring within three minutes, Toby Flood slotting over a penalty from right in front of the posts, just inside the 22. Newcastle stayed the dominant side for the majority of the early stages but struggled to turn territory into points, with costly penalties stopping any momentum and keeping the hosts in the game.
The Falcons took advantage eventually though, having gathered an overthrown line-out from inside the Wasps 22, the ball was eventually worked along the line and through the backs for Adam Radwan to touch down in the opposite corner. Flood added the extras to extend the lead to 10.
Wasps responded brilliantly as Sam Wolstenholme’s cross-kick to the right flank found Paolo Odogwu and, after a quick one-two between him and Zach Kibirige, he sprinted past his opposite number to get the home side on the board and cut the lead to five.
With the first half winding down, Newcastle extended their lead in a more physical manner, Marco Fuser crossing the whitewash from a yard out after a short spell on the Wasps line, Flood again adding the extras.
Some wheels on @Benstev0 🌪 https://t.co/UoUEaOYUC6
— Newcastle Falcons (@FalconsRugby) December 5, 2020
The visitors continued their dominance and extended their lead within five minutes of the restart, Ben Stevenson telegraphing Lima Sopoaga’s pass to perfection and sprinting 60 metres before touching down at the other end. Flood’s conversion pushed the lead to 19 points and the game looked out of sight already for the hosts.
Not that Wasps did not have their opportunities, and they were presented with a golden chance straight away. Having worked the ball well to the right flank, it was played inside to captain Thomas Young five yards out, but he dropped the ball with the goal line at his mercy. The final pass was a bit high, but the flanker will know that he could have done better with it.
ADVERTISEMENT
Flood’s penalty pushed the margin beyond three scores, but with 15 minutes to go the home side were provided with a little bit of hope. Having been knocking on the door for a few minutes, Tom West finally barged over from close range. They got another try after the clock had hit 80 minutes as Douglas scored from close range, but it was little more than a consolation effort.
- Watch European Rugby on BT Sport. Click here to buy now
Injuries to two of Bath's internationals will be a major worry for the club. https://t.co/QjWXABLX0H
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 5, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
I’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.
19 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.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda 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. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
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.
19 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.
12 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.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments