Falcons’ shine in international action
Newcastle Falcons had plenty of interest in test match rugby last weekend, with four players featuring in international games for the England, Fiji and USA.
First up on Saturday morning, winger Vereniki Goneva and new summer signing, second row Tevita Cavubati both started for Fiji as the pacific islanders took on Australia in Melbourne.
Goneva, who was named players’ player and player of the season for the Falcons following an impressive debut campaign, in which he scored nine Premiership tries and featured in 18 league games, was his usual scoring self as he crossed for one of Fiji’s two tries in the 37-14 loss.
In the evening, the focus switched to the Americas as Mark Wilson made his England debut against Argentina and Nick Civetta lined up for USA Eagles against Ireland.
Out in San Juan, Wilson put in the kind of performance that Falcons fans have witnessed time and again over the course of the Cumbrian’s career, as England secured a dramatic 34-38 win.
The red rose’s top tackler in the game with 16 and a constant nuisance at the breakdown, his first England cap drew plenty of praise, including the accolade of being the most impressive of the 10 uncapped players from The Daily Telegraph.
Up in New Jersey, Civetta made his sixth appearance for the USA as they took on Ireland at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison and crossed for his first international try.
Pressurising Irish fly half Joey Carbery as he attempted to clear his lines, the lock charged down the attempt inside the 22 and was the first onto the loose ball before taking it over the line for what would prove to be the Eagles’ only try of the first half.
The international action continues on Tuesday when England take on South Africa in the semi final of the World Rugby U20 Championships in Tbilisi, with Falcons academy members Jamie Blamire and Max Davies in line for selection.
