Deano: Lack of accuracy cost us at Saracens
The European champions were 25-3 winners after scoring the only try of the second half, Newcastle’s director of rugby saying afterwards: “Saracens’ accuracy levels were just that bit higher than our own, and we’ve got to have more composure.
“It’s something which was just lacking a little bit today, but it will come, and we’ve just got to nail those couple of glaring opportunities which we had today.
“Saracens had the ability to bring in a group of superstars, and when you think they could bring in Alex Lozowski for Owen Farrell it just goes to show the international call-ups don’t hurt them that much in comparison to other teams.
“It’s a great squad they’ve got, and we found it difficult to compete on the day. The stardust that they have shone through.”
Crediting the hosts for a simple but effective strategy, Richards added: “They exit off nine and try to play the game in your half, they look to get the ball back off you in those areas and when they do they’ll keep it, and keep it and keep it. Their intention is to barrel their way over, and that’s what they did for their first try.
“We’re disappointed because our game plan was to not give them that opportunity, for us to be playing in the right areas, and we didn’t execute that plan as well as we could have done. We missed two glaring try-scoring opportunities, and that’s the difference between getting nothing and something out of the game.
“Saracens’ success is brought about by the stardust and experience they have in their side, they’re riding high as double European champions and when you’re doing that you’re always going to be in that position.”
Asked about the controversial first-half incident which saw the awarding of a penalty try and a sin-bin for Falcons wing Sinoti Sinoti, the Newcastle boss said: “The penalty try you can argue about, but I thought the yellow card was harsh.
“Their guy was on the point of getting the ball and Sinoti is just taking his arm away in effect, but I’ve seen far worse offences than that not given as a penalty try, never mind a yellow card. I was a bit disappointed with that.
“Overall we’ll analyse the performance, we’ll be critical of ourselves during that process and the beauty of the squad we’ve got is that the guys will be honest and work hard to put it right against Bath on Friday night.”
