Newcastle Falcons - Pre Season 2014 - USE SEASON THREAD NOW

by Geordie Thu 24 Apr 2014, 1:29 pm

First topic message reminder :

Manager: Dean Richards
Head Coach: John Wells
Forwards Coach: John Wells
Defence Coach: Graham Steadman
Attack Coach: Dave Walder

Current Squad:
Forwards
Props: Keiron Brookes, Scott Wilson, Rob Vickers , Oliver Tomaszczyk Eric Fry, James Hallam (On loan to London Scottish)
Hookers: Matt Thompson (On loan Darlington), Scott Lawson, George McGuigan, David Nelson, Rob Hawkins
Second Rows: Scott MacLeod, Dom Barrow, Callum Green, Kane Thompson, Josh Furno, Uili Kolo'ofai, Glen Youngs, Will Witty, Sean Robinson (On Loan to Rotherham)
Back Row: Ally Hogg, Will Welch, Richard Mayhew, Andy Saull, Mark Wilson, Chris York, Dan Temm, Ben Morris (On Loan to Rotherham)

Backs
SH's: Warren Fury, Mike Blair, Ruki Tipuna, Andy Davies (On Loan to Rotherham)
Fh's: Rory Clegg, Phil Godman, Craig Willis
Centres: Juan Pablo Socino, Jamie Helleur, Adam Powell, Danny Barnes, Gonzalo Tiesi, Andy Tuilagi, Chris Harris (On Loan to Rotherham)Wing: Alex Tuilagi, Noah Cato, Zac Kibirige, Sinoti Sinoti, Sean Brown, Tom Penny, Lee Smith
FB's: Tom Catterick, Alex Tait, Simon Hammersley

by Geordie Thu 17 Jul 2014, 8:39 am

Well its another multi positional player...which suggests that there'll be plenty of rotation again this season...which im not a major fan of.

Well its another ill have to wait and judge as i see him on the pitch...along with numerous others...Fry, Uili Kolo'ofai etc..

However at least we shouldnt be stuck for locks (or 6's) this season....Scott MacLeod, Dom Barrow, Callum Green, Kane Thompson, Josh Furno, Uili Kolo'ofai, Glen Youngs, Will Witty, Sean Robinson (On Loan to Rotherham)

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 17 Jul 2014, 8:49 am

I don't think we'll be seeing many youngsters in the back 5 this season GF.

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 17 Jul 2014, 8:58 am

A physical line out leader apparently, ear marked for the 5 jersey?

4. Barrow/Green
5. Thompson/MacCleod
6. Furno/Kolo
7. Welch/Wilson
8. Hogg/York

We certainly have some depth now. With most players able to rotate we should be able to put out a strong back 5 all season.

by Geordie Thu 17 Jul 2014, 8:59 am

i think your right mate...which is very dissapointing...unless the idea is to mix them in with experienced players...and play them in meaningless cup games which i can accept...but its alarming how many foreigners we're acquiring.

http://www.chiefs.co.nz/the-team/team-gallery/kane-thompson.html

I cant think what our strongest starting pack would be now??
1 Vickers
2 Lawson
3 Brookes
4 Thompson
5 Green
6 Barrow / Furno
7 Welch / Saull / Temm
8 Yorke

Something like that??

by Geordie Thu 17 Jul 2014, 9:01 am

we're not far off Sgt

by Driver Thu 17 Jul 2014, 9:12 am

What happened to Jason. Eaton?
Livid about this signing if it had been
A top lock like eaton I'd be fine with it

Still no new 10?

#richardsout

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 17 Jul 2014, 9:13 am

Unsure on Green at the minute, looked ok for Leeds but needs some work. I'd be surprised if he started ahead of Barrow.

Furno will be a guaranteed starter at 4/6, he's a class act and will be our best player I think.

I'd expect Hawkins to start ahead of Lawson maybe.

by Geordie Thu 17 Jul 2014, 11:04 am

I agree about Furno...looks a class act indeed. If Barrow can stay fit all season him and Furno could make an excellent combo.

Hawkins is a good premiership hooker, but i think Lawson played well last season (if only he were slightly bigger in the scrum)...and they both will have competition from McGuigan who Dean is obviously a BIG fan of.

One thing we generally have plenty of good options all over the team...(though ill not mention 10...oops)

by Cumbrian Thu 17 Jul 2014, 12:04 pm

I don't like to moan (well not that much Very Happy

) but a journeyman on the wrong side of 30 that nobody has heard of isn't exactly what I wanted to see. Headscratch

I'm talking about Thompson.

by Geordie Thu 17 Jul 2014, 12:16 pm

Well all in all im actually optimisitic.

I'd like to see a top 10 and another LH come in...but every other position pretty much has excellent competition and the standard of the players coming in has increased.

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 17 Jul 2014, 1:35 pm

See Nagle has quit rugby

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/18777.php#.U8fC0Nm9LCQ

He looked really unfit against Exeter.

by Scrumpy Thu 17 Jul 2014, 4:04 pm

I thought he stopped playing rugby last season when he was with you guys! Whistle

by yappysnap Fri 18 Jul 2014, 8:35 am

Thompson is a quality player for Chiefs, yes he's a little older but that's not a bad thing

by Geordie Fri 18 Jul 2014, 8:40 am

Good to hear Yappy. We're putting a nice little squad together...one or two more signings in certain positions (loosehead particularly)and Fly half (which im not sure we will now) and ill be happy. We'll surprise a few this season i think.

by Welly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 11:04 am

You guys have signed another Tuilagi 19 year old Back rower Brian (eldest of Freddies children)

Don't know if it is short term or what as he is part time at Northumbria as well.

Cant tell you much about him as he has rarely played for the "A" team and isn't a regular feature for the academy but he certainly has that Tuilagi style, maybe Deano and wells will turn him into a Freddie and then tigers can have him back with Kibirige aswell sounds good to me.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 11:14 am

Sounds fair Welly, we certainly need a big carrying backrower

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:19 pm

Oh Welly...you jest...but you do know your Tigers wont be getting their hands on young Zac...

As for Brian Tuilagi...well we'll just have to see how he goes. I have never seen anything of him....so he may be a world beater or may not be good enough to start for Percy Park (my local club)....who knows.

by Welly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:20 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Oh Welly...you jest...but you do know your Tigers wont be getting their hands on young Zac...

That's what you always say.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:31 pm

Thats the 4th player we've got from Tigers now.....Falcons feeder club? Wink

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:34 pm

Actually its the 5th Sgt...that young winger that all tigers were raving about came here aswell...El Madry or something.

But he's just dropped off the face of the planet....

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 12:36 pm

Welly wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Oh Welly...you jest...but you do know your Tigers wont be getting their hands on young Zac...

That's what you always say.

Just being honest with you....the days of stealing our best players have.....Gone...gone....Ggggoooooooonnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee

by Welly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 2:12 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:
Welly wrote:
GeordieFalcon wrote:Oh Welly...you jest...but you do know your Tigers wont be getting their hands on young Zac...

That's what you always say.

Just being honest with you....the days of stealing our best players have.....Gone...gone....Ggggoooooooonnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeee

There is a difference between keeping your players, and not having players other clubs want.
Very Happy

I had heard your young hooker was begging to come to tigers but we had to say no as we have so much strength there already.

Although rumours are nandos is looking for a centerally contracted player to replace the missed Brookes a tempting offer for all Falcons players. Wink

and SGT technically you have taken 3 from us as Alex and Andy weren't with us when you signed them.

mind you we only have Balmain and parling left who were signed directly from you. Although with the increased talent in the north east that number may rise. Hug

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 2:40 pm

Well yes thats true...Tigers made an such an inviting offer...come to Tigers, we'll let you get fat, injured then dump you out in to the reserves / 3/4ths.

Fortunately we know what we're doing up here and have sorted him out....

And thankfully....most of the new breed coming through here have their heads screwed on...but thanks for the invite anyway Welly, if theres any we dont want who have a liking for the couch potato lifestyle....we know where to send them.... Wink

by Driver Tue 22 Jul 2014, 3:15 pm

I'v got spare tickets for 7s if anyone wants some.

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 3:44 pm

Down in Darlo....

by Driver Tue 22 Jul 2014, 3:47 pm

Yeah , i'v got 30 tickets for it.

by Welly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:20 pm

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well yes thats true...Tigers made an such an inviting offer...come to Tigers, we'll let you get fat, injured then dump you out in to the reserves / 3/4ths.

Fortunately we know what we're doing up here and have sorted him out....

And thankfully....most of the new breed coming through here have their heads screwed on...but thanks for the invite anyway Welly, if theres any we dont want who have a liking for the couch potato lifestyle....we know where to send them....

TO be fair Brookes would still be 3rd choice even with his transformation at Falcons.

Cole and Mulipola would be ahead of him, and there is a argument that balmian has more upside.

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:23 pm

Well we'll never know now i guess.

Cole, Ill give you...but Mulipola...be a close call.
I'd suggest if Balmain was ahead of him ....then he should have been in NZ. Mind i do expect Balmain to be good as he was yet another falcons academy lad.....

When are the games Driver..

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:37 pm

I'd prefer Brookes to Mulipola but agree it's pretty close. Balmain is nowhere near Brookes currently, he's not even in Wilson's league.

by Driver Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:45 pm

Saturday 3rd 7:45 ko

by Welly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:54 pm

I didn't say Balmain is ahead of him I said he has more upside (potential) which I think is true.

But the point does stand even if at his current state there is still the possibility he would have been 3rd choice.

by Geordie Tue 22 Jul 2014, 4:56 pm

Sgt,

Im pretty happy with Brookes as our first choice TH. Big lad, powerful, good scrummager, pretty good in the loose.

With Wilson biting at his heals we're in good shape...

Interesting how many TH's out there at the moment are from the Falcons Academy...

Brookes, S.Wilson, Davy Wilson, Balmain...we do a good job.

by Sgt_Pooly Tue 22 Jul 2014, 5:02 pm

How do you judge potential though? I'd say Wilson has more potential as a JWC winner and Saxon than both but may never reach it.

by Driver Wed 23 Jul 2014, 12:16 am

I'd like to think the Carl Hayman signing had a direct effect on how we coached our 3s from then on.

I think Scotty might get some gametime at 1 still , he's scrummaging is a real worry but he's sheer force.

by Geordie Wed 23 Jul 2014, 8:15 am

Interesting suggestion Driver. It would appear Wilson has been seen at 1 in practice.

Id say Brookes is quite a bit ahead of Balmain at the moment. And i'd probably put him ahead of Mulipola also.

by Geordie Tue 29 Jul 2014, 2:53 pm

7's team named. Some interesting ones....

Sean Brown
Tom Catterick (C),
Andy Davies,
Chris Harris,
Simon Hammersley
Ben Morris
Sean Robinson
Lee Smith
Dan Temm
Brian Tuilagi
Craig Willis

Mostly the kids....and interesting that Brian Tuilagi is in it.

by Driver Tue 29 Jul 2014, 2:56 pm

Signed a few weeks back , had a falling out at tigers

by Geordie Tue 29 Jul 2014, 3:25 pm

Yeah i saw that Driver...just thought it was interesting that he's gone straight in to the 7's squad.

by Driver Tue 29 Jul 2014, 3:34 pm

Good player , used to be a back but now playing 8 so seems to be your ideal 7s type of player.

by Geordie Thu 31 Jul 2014, 4:49 pm

I see on the unoffy theres a couple of interesting interviews with Tiesi who is picking up Socino's FH skills very much. I wonder if that is a big hint at our lack of transfer activity for a FH this summer.

And if that is the case....who would you want at 12?

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 31 Jul 2014, 5:05 pm

I see nothing in him at FH, he looked poor there in the Champ.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 31 Jul 2014, 8:45 pm

What did you hear about Brian Driver? I thought he'd gone up to Newcastle as he'd opted to go to uni as he wasn't breaking through at Tigers. As he was at uni in Newcastle the Falcons signed him up.

Re Brookes. He's a big impact player but for only two mins in every ten. That's why he didn't make it at Tigers and why if he cane back he'd be down the pecking order. His return to Newcastle was a great move for him as he was never going to get past Cole or Mulipola and Balmain is on a big upward curve in terms of ability plus has a massive work rate which was favoured by Cockers. I hope we see Brookes through onto the England bench this season. Really like the idea of him as an impact option.

If you want to talk prospect than Wilson may find that if Pasquali decides to extend his fallout with the Italian federation than he may not be the brightest young thing. Pasquali really looks like a young Castrogiovanni from back before his gluten issues.

by Welly Thu 31 Jul 2014, 10:18 pm

Driver wrote:Signed a few weeks back , had a falling out at tigers

Please explain.

Unless it was a falling out due to lack of game time which I get as he didn't start any "A" League games and wasn't first choice in the academy.

by Sgt_Pooly Thu 31 Jul 2014, 10:45 pm

You think Brookes might get ahead of Cole for the England bench spot Sam?

by Geordie Fri 01 Aug 2014, 9:20 am

Some interesting thoughts on Brookes there from the Leicester guys.

Im not so sure though i think he's easily as good as Mulipola and ahead of Balmain otherwise surely Balmain would have been on the plane to NZ. However its pretty close so that it just boils down to Club favoritism. Leicester Fans pick up their players we support ours.

Im quite happy with Brookes as our first choice. And he will only improve in the right environment.

As for Tuilagi well im really not interested in him at the moment with regards the senior team...we have alot of bright prospects coming through that im hugely optimistic about. If he turns out to be another and stays with us..then great if not then nothing lost.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 01 Aug 2014, 1:03 pm

I think Cole will be back starting by the 6Ns. Wilson will be retained in the squad but out the team. Wilson was poor in NZ and I suspect will play himself out the team during the AIs (when Cole will be unavailable).

Re. Mulipola. For me he's right up there with the best tight heads in the league. Needs a bit more technical work in the scrum but not many get the better of him and he's a machine in the loose.

Brookes got the call up because he was playing regularly which Balmain is not. If suspect we'll lose Balmain if he doesn't start playing more regularly.

by Sgt_Pooly Fri 01 Aug 2014, 1:12 pm

I thought Wilson was excellent bar his handling in the 1st test Sam. His scrummaging was much improved on Cole's recent performances (which have been poor for England).

I'd be surprised if Wilson was dropped, it's his shirt to lose imo.

by Welly Fri 01 Aug 2014, 1:16 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
Re. Mulipola. For me he's right up there with the best tight heads in the league. Needs a bit more technical work in the scrum but not many get the better of him and he's a machine in the loose.

Brookes got the call up because he was playing regularly which Balmain is not. If suspect we'll lose Balmain if he doesn't start playing more regularly.

That my view on Mulipola, considering he had a major injury lst season yet was voted in the premiership team of the season by many, shows his class, and many believe he still wasn't 100% when he came back and TBH many consider him to be more of a LH which shows how well he can play both sides.

I suspect that Balmain has 2 season on his new deal (Could be wrong), after which he will either be a 40/30 mins a game prop i.e. like the Cole/Castro combo or he will move. I think Cockers wanted to have him on loan last season but Schuster messed that up.

Agree with Sgt I though Wilson outside handling wasn't to bad. I am hoping that this long rest will bring Cole back to his best as the past 18 months he has looked very tired and over worked. Hopefully the injury wont take anything away from him.

But the signing of Rizzo should allow Mulipola to cover TH and put less pressure on Cole.

by SirBurger Fri 01 Aug 2014, 1:30 pm

As a neutral I would take Mulipola over Brookes...at least for now. Brookes is a serious talent though.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 01 Aug 2014, 5:21 pm

I thought Wilson scrummaged well in the first test but couldn't catch a cold let alone the ball. After that he was a bit of a non entity. Second and third test he didn't do anything wrong but also didn't really do anything of note either. Cole has looked tired since Castrogiovanni fell out of form but has still been quality. Beating Saints in the final last year owed a lot to him decimating Tongahuia and our narrow losses at Ravenhill and Toulon had him dominating the scrum for periods of the game. I too hope he comes back a lot fresher.

Nice to be able to discuss English tight head options beyond one or two names.

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