tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2008-02-08:/purerugby//358 2009-10-08T13:26:37Z Movable Type Enterprise 4.21-en tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.170744 2009-10-08T13:19:25Z 2009-10-08T13:26:37Z

Spare a thought for crocked Falcons forward Josh Afu. The likeable Tongan back-rower was all set for his competitive Newcastle debut this weekend in Italy after weeks of neck trouble. Impatient for his chance, the former Queensland Red had been...

Nick Purewal <p>Spare a thought for crocked Falcons forward Josh Afu.</p> <p>The likeable Tongan back-rower was all set for his competitive Newcastle debut this weekend in Italy after weeks of neck trouble.</p> <p>Impatient for his chance, the former Queensland Red had been nagging the medical staff for the all-clear for the last couple of weeks to no avail.</p> <p>But this week he got the green light - only to have hopes dashed just hours later.</p> <p>That he was handed the bad news immediately after giving press conference interviews will only compound frustrations.</p> <p>From Josh's explanation of his injury, he seems to have a bulging disc in his neck, so the medical staff at the club are right to be cautious.</p> <p>Tough on the exciting ex-Doncaster flanker though that a late set of extra scans showed the problem has still yet to clear sufficiently to make his return safe.</p> <p>The pacy, mobile wing forward will have to make do with entertaining the squad with just his guitar skills for a little longer then.</p> <p>But when he does find fitness it will be intriguing to see what impact he can have.</p> <p>As for this weekend in Padova, nothing but a win will do - and two from two in the ECC with Albi at KP next weekend would offer an ideal route back into Premiership action.</p> <p>The Falcons have got to get winning when the league resumes on October 24 at Bath.</p> <p>A win at The Rec will be a huge ask, but victory at home to Worcester on November 1 already looks vital.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/OBDJPEk-zhg" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/10/afu-pressed-back-onto-treatmen-1.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.170741 2009-10-08T13:19:25Z 2009-10-08T13:21:08Z

Spare a thought for crocked Falcons forward Josh Afu. The likeable Tongan back-rower was all set for his competitive Newcastle debut this weekend in Italy after weeks of neck trouble. Impatient for his chance, the former Queensland Red had been...

Nick Purewal <p>Spare a thought for crocked Falcons forward Josh Afu.</p> <p>The likeable Tongan back-rower was all set for his competitive Newcastle debut this weekend in Italy after weeks of neck trouble.</p> <p>Impatient for his chance, the former Queensland Red had been nagging the medical staff for the all-clear for the last couple of weeks to no avail.</p> <p>But this week he got the green light - only to have hopes dashed just hours later.</p> <p>That he was handed the bad news immediately after giving press conference interviews will only compound frustrations.</p> <p>From Josh's explanation of his injury, he seems to have a bulging disc in his neck, so the medical staff at the club are right to be cautious.</p> <p>Tough on the exciting ex-Doncaster flanker though that a late set of extra scans showed the problem has still yet to clear sufficiently to make his return safe.</p> <p>The pacy, mobile wing forward will have to make do with entertaining the squad with just his guitar skills for a little longer then.</p> <p>But when he does find fitness it will be intriguing to see what impact he can have.</p> <p>As for this weekend in Padova, nothing but a win will do - and two from two in the ECC with Albi at KP next weekend would offer an ideal route back into Premiership action.</p> <p>The Falcons have got to get winning when the league resumes on October 24 at Bath.</p> <p>A win at The Rec will be a huge ask, but victory at home to Worcester on November 1 already looks vital.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/NjVFtnDzzHw" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/10/afu-pressed-back-onto-treatmen.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.164302 2009-09-02T14:24:52Z 2009-09-02T14:27:38Z

If you spot any of the Falcons stars scuffling in public, don't be alarmed - it's just the latest team-building ruse. Granted it owes more to bragging rights and banter than bonding, but the two go hand in hand. If...

Nick Purewal <p>If you spot any of the Falcons stars scuffling in public, don't be alarmed - it's just the latest team-building ruse.</p> <p>Granted it owes more to bragging rights and banter than bonding, but the two go hand in hand.</p> <p>If you do spot some wrestling moves in and around the North East though, you have Rob Vickerman to thank.</p> <p>The ex-Leeds centre is the methodologist behind the madness, which has already seen Matt Thompson power-slam the initiator at Tesco.</p> <p>To the competition winner at the end of the season goes a replica WWE belt, but Vickerman fears Samoan giant Filipo Levi might take some unseating.</p> <p>"We've established a wrestling title, with a belt and everything, just as a bit of banter among the lads," said Vickerman.</p> <p>"The belt arrived this week, and big Filipo is the current holder. </p> <p>"It's a 24/7, 365 day-a-year competition. The champion holds the belt until any of the other challengers in the squad pins him down for three seconds.</p> <p>"It can be any time, anywhere. I was the inaugural holder, purely because I bought the belt, but I only held it for about ten minutes before Matt Thompson pinned me down in the sandwich aisle of Tesco at Kingston Park!</p> <p>"There's already plans afoot to work out how to pin Filipo, but if it gets too tough we might have to introduce a lightweight belt just for the backs.</p> <p>"It's just a daft bit of fun, but stuff like that is great for team spirit and all the lads seem to be having a laugh with it."</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/neUxUSdNgUw" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/09/royal-rumble-to-be-crowned-ult.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.153059 2009-06-29T15:44:51Z 2009-06-29T15:57:32Z

Time and again rugby union makes the same mistakes, time and again no lessons are learned. Put the future of the Lions aside for a second and consider two vital changes that might actually progress the game. Forget ELVs and...

Nick Purewal <p>Time and again rugby union makes the same mistakes, time and again no lessons are learned.</p> <p>Put the future of the Lions aside for a second and consider two vital changes that might actually progress the game.</p> <p>Forget ELVs and pandering to weak-willed Aussie front rowers, now is the time for the IRB to grow some balls.</p> <p>Anyone found guilty of deliberately trying to blind an opponent - that's what gouging is - must be banned for six months.</p> <p>And to make uncontested scrums a thing of the past, increase the bench to eight, forcing teams to field a whole replacement front row.</p> <p>First, to that deplorable act of gouging that intriguingly the French and the South Africans seem to dominate...a trend anyone?</p> <p>If shoving a referee off his feet requires such punishment, Neil Back vs Steve Lander, what price eye extraction?</p> <p>Gouging is not only unacceptable, but if it happened in a street fight would land the perpetrator in jail.</p> <p>If a linesman is going to be the 'referee's assistant' he must be charged with acting like someone ready to put their reputation on the line - that is, actually make a decision.</p> <p>How Schalk Burger's rancid attack could have been construed as anything other than deliberate is mystifying, even at full speed and with one viewing.</p> <p>Eight weeks makes a mockery of the IRB's claims to stamp out such practice: had Luke Fitzgerald been seriously injured the punishment would have been at least trebled, indicating the scale of the joke.</p> <p>With such an important act of foul play, if neither the referee nor the linesman can judge deliberation, refer the decision to the television match official.</p> <p>Next, to the scrum. How the worm turned at the weekend, thanks to a two-year late passing of the former Raging Bull.</p> <p>Once Phil Vickery was discarded, solid but uninspiring scrummager Adam Jones dispelled another myth - the Beast.</p> <p>He's big and mobile, but is hardly a world-beating set-piece specialist, as Euan Murray will testify.</p> <p>Cynical to the end, the under-pressure South Africans neutralised the Lions threat the only way they could - injure the danger men.</p> <p>Uncontested scrums saved the home side's bacon just as much as the early exits of Jamie Roberts and Brian O'Driscoll.</p> <p>Hats off to South Africa, they won the series by any which way, but it is about time the power brokers stamped out the cheat's victory route.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/mtzGnRAKL7w" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/06/balls-to-the-boks-the-only-rou.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.142203 2009-05-22T14:58:36Z 2009-05-22T15:00:58Z

Never mind the car, the yacht, the Med-view house or the massive wedge, what about the circus? How will Jonny Wilkinson - rugby's most reclusive man - cope with the hyperactive, mental merry-go-round that is the French Top 14? And...

Nick Purewal <p>Never mind the car, the yacht, the Med-view house or the massive wedge, what about the circus?</p> <p>How will Jonny Wilkinson - rugby's most reclusive man - cope with the hyperactive, mental merry-go-round that is the French Top 14?</p> <p>And what of Toulon's owner Mourad Boudjellal, how will Wilko cope with the meddling comic book magnate?</p> <p>He might struggle to keep his head down, but provided he gets fit and does the business on the pitch, he will appease the hands-on owner.</p> <p>But then, by playing his way to glory, he will only serve to ramp up the media and fan frenzy still further.</p> <p>Damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't - not with a salary and inducements like that.</p> <p>And in any case, with an option after one year, he can always knock it on the head if it all goes pear-shaped.</p> <p>Sure Jonny loves speaking French, and the lifestyle and new challenge all make for a great move - but let's look a little closer at the big boss man.</p> <p>Boudjellal's worst hour could have been picked straight out of one of his comics, when he was slapped with a 30-day touchline ban in September for interfering with matches.</p> <p>Running onto the pitch, berating players and officials during European Challenge Cup games, is this really what Wilko wants?</p> <p>Whatever, it's what he's got, so let's hope new rugby director Phillippe Saint-Andre works out how to curb the top man's enthusiasm.</p> <p>Newcastle's talisman deserves all the luck in the world - but not rugby-wise, just with all the trappings.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/HNc5Y_HYNcs" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/05/comic-book-circus-awaits-jonny.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.130701 2009-04-17T13:52:06Z 2009-04-17T13:55:14Z

As enticing overtures go, it does set a worrying tone. French rugby is full of megalomaniacal owners, but maybe Mourad Boudjellal of Toulon has just positioned himself to the top of the queue. No doubt it was totally intentional,...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>As enticing overtures go, it does set a worrying tone.</p> <p>French rugby is full of megalomaniacal owners, but maybe Mourad Boudjellal of Toulon has just positioned himself to the top of the queue.</p> <p>No doubt it was totally intentional, but it makes it no less crazy a statement.</p> <p>And just how will Jonny Wilkinson react to being dubbed the Michael Jackson of rugby?</p> <p>At what seems a crucial stage in the negotiations, let's hope for his sake that people do not take it to the letter of the law.</p> <p>Boudjellal made his point and got good coverage for it, but really, Jackson is hardly best remembered for reinventing the face of pop music.</p> <p>Wilkinson is the original rugby professional - his career has progressed hand in hand with the pro game - so a move from his one rugby home after 14years is only to be expected.</p> <p>Things might not be quite what they used to for Wilko, 13 injuries in and counting, but this is not the place to start discussing the murky libel world that is Wacko Jacko.</p> <p>If Jonny gets his move, he will no doubt be the King of France, but he's nothing like the King of Pop.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/by-AKvKuMjY" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/04/king-of-france-not-king-of-pop.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.127525 2009-03-26T15:31:56Z 2009-03-26T15:36:57Z

Steve Bates better tell Tom May to keep on running. With Toby Flood back at Kingston Park for Friday night's Leicester clash, this would be one kicking duel with a serious imbalance. May admitted he tried to play the...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>Steve Bates better tell Tom May to keep on running.</p> <p>With Toby Flood back at Kingston Park for Friday night's Leicester clash, this would be one kicking duel with a serious imbalance.</p> <p>May admitted he tried to play the traditional fly-half role at Bath last week, with mixed results.</p> <p>What he meant was Butch James beat him in the tactical kicking battle - no shame there.</p> <p>But if he tries to go toe-to-toe with Flood in the booting battle this weekend, he will likely end up losing out again.</p> <p>One anecdotal example comes from the 2007-8 season opener, where Flood led the Falcons to 33-12 victory over Sale Sharks before joining the England World Cup squad as a replacement then next day.</p> <p>Ollie Phillips took a great catch on the run before offloading to Mark Mayerhofler who scored in the corner.</p> <p>Flood's high ball precipitated the score - and if it seemed innocuous at first glance, a closer look revealed his mastery of the famous cross winds.</p> <p>At the time Flood told me: "For Mark's try I am used to the Kingston Park hurricane, so I knew if I blasted the ball up higher than the stand, the wind always comes over the top of the West Stand and drives it to the left. </p> <p>"The Sale boys did not know what to expect from the wind, and Ollie Phillips took an unbelievable catch to set up the try for Bubs."</p> <p>Newcastle won all six of their recent run keeping the ball in hand - and they must do the same again.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/P0R2uQoSq2w" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/03/may-you-keep-on-running-tom.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.124849 2009-03-09T11:09:01Z 2009-03-09T11:10:14Z

The soldier's broad smile and excited springy step said it all. He and his regiment received a half-time standing ovation at Edgeley Park for their Afghanistan exploits, and rightly so. But he and his pals went home happy not...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>The soldier's broad smile and excited springy step said it all.</p> <p>He and his regiment received a half-time standing ovation at Edgeley Park for their Afghanistan exploits, and rightly so.</p> <p>But he and his pals went home happy not because of that rapturous applause sent in their direction - they bundled keenly out of Stockport after seeing one of the finest rugby spectacles in recent memory.</p> <p>If that's hyperbole, shoot me. Find a more thrilling Newcastle Falcons encounter in the last three years you will not.</p> <p>This had everything: Andrew Fenby's Roy of the Rovers impression, a lead that changed hands every 10minutes - and Charlie Hodgson even broke the Premiership all-time points record, and still ended up losing!<br /> </p> <p>The fact Newcastle scored four tries against the Premiership's meanest defence speaks volumes about their resurgence.</p> <p>It will be tested heavily by Harlequins at Kingston Park on Sunday, but really, after that, pretty much anything is possible - but only if the message continues to sink in.</p> <p>Newcastle look great when they take the ball to the line, and when they stick to their impressive defensive shape.</p> <p>Tane Tu'ipulotu and Jamie Noon pair up formidably in midfield, with big Tane offering the same kind of reliability expected of former Falcons favourite Mark Mayerhofler.</p> <p>The scrummage has been fantastic for weeks now, and as much as Carl Hayman, Jon Golding must take a great deal of credit.</p> <p>Adam Balding's No 8 play balances the back-row, and Tim Swinson is a good foil for Mark Sorenson in the tight.</p> <p>Six months ago, Newcastle might have pulled themselves back to 25-25 at Sale, but would then have lost in a bitter last-minute sucker-punch.</p> <p>But not now - and that's the best bit of the weekend for me.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/18wDuE2z_IM" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/03/soldiers-lap-up-epic-battle.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.124606 2009-03-06T14:26:01Z 2009-03-06T14:31:56Z

If the try record speaks for itself, the best bits video package does Andrew Fenby no harm either. Steve Bates has given Blaydon flyer Fenby a chance with the Falcons this weekend, as much out of necessity as ability....

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>If the <a href="http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/rugby-news/2009/03/06/blaydon-racer-to-take-newcastle-falcons-bow-72703-23078983/">try record</a> speaks for itself, the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoasGiwl20c">best bits video package</a> does Andrew Fenby no harm either.</p> <p>Steve Bates has given Blaydon flyer Fenby a chance with the Falcons this weekend, as much out of necessity as ability.</p> <p>Fenby has teammate Brendon Daniel to thank for the advertising, but really the only tricky bit for the former Bath wing would have been editing down all the ridiculous tries.</p> <p>Falcons boss Bates called it right when appraising the 23-year-old's potential, asking the question - skills notwithstanding, will his speed of mind and body translate to Premiership level.</p> <p>The first try in the package tells us Fenby cannot be that far away - straight from the restart in cup action against National One Nottingham...not bad for an accountant.</p> <p>That National Trophy try against top-class level one opponents came straight off the back of a Scott Riddell score and took Blaydon to a 22-19 lead, back in January.</p> <p>Nick Gandy's men could not hold out, losing 33-22, but the 700-plus crowd were blown away by that 80-metre Fenby finish.</p> <p>Any seasoned Premiership player would carve up in the national leagues - but they all have to start somewhere.</p> <p>Bates has admitted no one will ever know unless Fenby gets his chance - If Stockport on Sunday does not quite fit the bill, Kingston Park at some point between now and the end of the season is a must.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/myYDd4wwAb4" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/03/video-evidence-puts-fenbys-cas.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.123145 2009-02-24T15:56:32Z 2009-02-24T16:00:00Z

If reputations are there to be broken, Micky Young will be in his element again this weekend. The young Falcons scrum-half has belittled two of the best in the business in as many weeks, and will no doubt come...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>If reputations are there to be broken, Micky Young will be in his element again this weekend.</p> <p>The young Falcons scrum-half has belittled two of the best in the business in as many weeks, and will no doubt come up against another class opponent at Northampton.</p> <p>Whether that will be Ben Foden, Lee Dickson or a bit of both remains to be seen, but Young's not likely to care who he faces.</p> <p>He didn't care for Shaun Perry, and he certainly did not care for Justin Marshall - but if he lines up against Falcons old boy Lee Dickson he will be in for an intriguing battle of wits.</p> <p>Lightning-quick snipers in both word and deed, this could be the most absorbing tussle yet.</p> <p>Where Perry struggled behind a poor Bristol pack and Marshall lost his head, Dickson ought not suffer either blight.</p> <p>A straight fight then, if it happens, and what a fight it could be.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/VpLv82YQP9M" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/02/reputation-wrecker-young-ready.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.121218 2009-02-11T11:18:51Z 2009-02-11T11:22:03Z

Not once has Dave Thompson dodged a phone call or shirked a tough question. Even when refusing to go on record on certain issues, the Falcons chairman has always kept the lines of communication open. Sometimes that results in...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>Not once has Dave Thompson dodged a phone call or shirked a tough question.</p> <p>Even when refusing to go on record on certain issues, the Falcons chairman has always kept the lines of communication open.</p> <p>Sometimes that results in an ear-bashing, but that goes with the territory - and if the Chronicle offers analysis through match reports, he is more than entitled to a right of reply.</p> <p>It comes as no surprise that the Kingston Park supremo will take <a href="http://www.newcastle-falcons.co.uk/36_4695.php">open questions</a> from season ticket holders in two sessions.</p> <p>In fact, depending on demand the club tell me Thompson may well turn out for a third - in essence, anyone with a burning issue, grievance or simply a query, will have that addressed.</p> <p>It is easy to harangue the Falcons in the current climate, but such free dialogue between senior management and fans can only be a big plus.</p> <p>This is a great opportunity for the paying public - don't waste it.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/smB_2X8L_5w" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/02/its-always-open-season-with-th.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.117228 2009-01-19T15:53:14Z 2009-01-19T16:01:03Z

Thursday night takes on more significance than Sunday afternoon for Newcastle Falcons. Steve Bates and Co need Brive to beat Parma - and if they do, a European Challenge Cup quarter-final is secured. Saturday night's Brive result did nothing...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>Thursday night takes on more significance than Sunday afternoon for Newcastle Falcons.</p> <p>Steve Bates and Co need Brive to beat Parma - and if they do, a European Challenge Cup quarter-final is secured.</p> <p>Saturday night's Brive result did nothing to alter the fact that Newcastle will face an away trip if they qualify, and that's why the defeat was met with level heads.</p> <p>Not ideal, but not the end of the world.</p> <p>No doubt whoever the opponents a last-eight clash will be tough-going.</p> <p>But Newcastle can rest assured Brive will go all-out for the win, aware they can still secure vital home advantage.</p> <p>Not ideal to be sweating on results elsewhere, but again, not the end of the world either.</p> <p>A bigger margin of defeat - or worse still, failure to see off Parma home and away - and the Falcons could already find themselves out of the picture.</p> <p>On Friday morning the Falcons can expect to travel to Spain with a quarter-final already in the bag.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/mLIs85llFQc" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/01/brive-will-set-falcons-on-thei.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.116034 2009-01-13T14:28:31Z 2009-01-13T14:31:20Z

All it needed was a win - just one - and now one more would see Newcastle Falcons to Premiership safety. Win at Bristol next month and the argument will cease, even with seven more league games to go....

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>All it needed was a win - just one - and now one more would see Newcastle Falcons to Premiership safety.</p> <p>Win at Bristol next month and the argument will cease, even with seven more league games to go.</p> <p>The division's closeness was never in greater evidence than against Gloucester at Kingston Park on Sunday - and never mind the wind, the right team won.</p> <p>Chairman Dave Thompson might think Newcastle need three more victories to assure their Premiership future, but a win at the Memorial Stadium would leave Bristol floundering.</p> <p>Thompson was right to hammer into national opinion pieces pontificating on the pointlessness of a North East rugby franchise.</p> <p>The RFU wants top-flight rugby sustained in the region - relegation would leave only Sale and the surely-promoted Leeds as Northern outposts.</p> <p>Not too many parents would fancy 200-odd mile round trips on a regular basis for their talented progeny should the unthinkable happen at Kingston Park.</p> <p>And the fans proved their passion on Sunday - a more visceral roar of relief it will be hard to find this term anywhere up and down the country.</p> <p>Money might be tight, but it's tight everywhere, but prudence, patience and performances will see the Falcons through, on and off the pitch.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/d7PouvDQDoc" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/01/if-one-brings-two-falcons-are.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2009:/purerugby//358.114419 2009-01-05T10:24:57Z 2009-01-13T14:27:33Z

When the positive spin is "embarrassing" the only but also hardest way is up. Steve Bates did nothing to sugar coat the fact his side suffered the Premiership's heaviest defeat this season at London Irish on Saturday. Newcastle now...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>When the positive spin is "embarrassing" the only but also hardest way is up.</p> <p>Steve Bates did nothing to sugar coat the fact his side suffered the Premiership's heaviest defeat this season at London Irish on Saturday.</p> <p>Newcastle now have one more chance before a return to European action to gain a first league win since September.</p> <p>Both Premiership wins came in that month, and the longer the wait, the greater the pressure.</p> <p>Bates believes relegation talk can only hinder his squad, but the time fast approaches where minds must be concentrated around futures and little else.</p> <p>If the Falcons do not beat Gloucester at Kingston Park on Sunday, what chance seeing off Saracens, Harlequins, Leicester or Bath in the North East.</p> <p>There is no bigger 10-pointer than Bristol at the Memorial Stadium on Friday, February 13 of all dates.</p> <p>Without an away win since December 2007, defeat there would leave Newcastle needing four more home victories.</p> <p>The alarming constant of the two wins to date is Jonny Wilkinson, and his return is still wide open.</p> <p>Survival, and slightly more, is still more than achievable - but the wins must start now.</p> <p>The trouble is, those wins ought to have started several weeks ago.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/F7G6ctb9ke0" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2009/01/waiting-game-must-end-now.html tag:blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk,2008:/purerugby//358.111877 2008-12-16T12:34:47Z 2008-12-16T12:39:44Z

Micky Young should not be allowed to go to Wellington in the New Year. He should not be allowed to go to Dubai for the Sevens World Cup, and he should not even have been in Dubai and South...

Nick Purewal <p><span class="mt-enclosure mt-enclosure-image" style="display: inline;"><img alt="jolly-fitness.jpg" src="http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/jolly-fitness.jpg" width="200" height="177" class="mt-image-right" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 20px 20px;" /></span></p> <p>Micky Young should not be allowed to go to Wellington in the New Year.</p> <p>He should not be allowed to go to Dubai for the Sevens World Cup, and he should not even have been in Dubai and South Africa last month.</p> <p>The Hartlepool streetfighter should be given the chance to prove he is Newcastle Falcons' best scrum-half.</p> <p>Steve Bates simply has to start the young urchin at Leicester Tigers on Saturday, however well Hall Charlton has played this term.</p> <p>Young's was a performance full of verve and sparkle in an otherwise dreary Kingston Park Sunday stroll against Parma.</p> <p>While Newcastle laboured, Young toiled, bringing all the components of classic No 9 play with him.</p> <p>Badgering, beavering and berating, Young hassled his pack like a good little general should, and then backed up his banter with a trademark niggly performance himself.</p> <p>Repeat the trick against any of Leicester, Worcester or London Irish, and Young may very well prove he has arrived - and secure his tenure despite sevens temptations.</p> <img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Chroniclelive-PureRugby/~4/-9Nes3TWBKQ" height="1" width="1"/> http://blogs.chroniclelive.co.uk/purerugby/2008/12/micky-can-make-falcons-young-a.html