Goneva wins Aviva Premiership Player of the Month
Goneva has been in stellar form for the Falcons as they claimed their first Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-final place in their history and he climbed to the top of the league’s scoring charts alongside Josh Adams.
And Rugby World Cup winner Will Greenwood said: “What an extraordinary player he is. Goneva is built like a man mountain and yet with nimble feet and soft hands.
“Everyone knows about him in the wide channels; a genuine flyer to add to his frame and awesome finisher given half a yard. But there are times when I see him like a back row forward in and around the fringes, and lethal from five yards out when it is supposed to be forwards territory.”
Goneva was judged by a panel of experts as the player who made the biggest impact in the League over the month April. He was involved in a three-way battle for the latest title, eventually beating Wasps’ full-back Willie le Roux and Gloucester Rugby full-back Jason Woodward to the title.
And Greenwood added: “It’s clear he offers the Falcons a bit of everything. He’s lethal in attack but is also a brilliant defender, drifting or blitzing – he reads situations so well, and always wins the contact. He is also getting better – he has removed the looseness of his play, and it is pretty clear any team with Goneva in would finish top six.”
Goneva was voted for by a panel of media professionals based on his performances in April – Nick Mullins (BT Sport), Alastair Eykyn (BT Sport), Mick Cleary (The Daily Telegraph), Sarah Mockford (Rugby World), Jonny Fordham (The Sun), Jill Douglas (ITV Sport), Chris Jones (BBC 5 Live), David Rogers (Getty Images) and Tom Hamilton (ESPN). The panel was chaired by Paul Morgan, Premiership Rugby’s Communications Director.
Goneva wins a trophy and a £250 donation to the charity of his choice.
**Winners in the 2017-18 season**
April – Vereniki Goneva (Newcastle Falcons)
March – Joe Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
February – Jack Willis (Wasps)
December – Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors)
November – Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester Rugby)
October – Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
September – Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
