Latu lauds Falcons spirit
Newcastle Falcons enter tonight’s fixture against Leicester Tigers in a mood to extend their winning run at home.
Latu, the club’s current top try scorer in the Aviva Premiership, has been showing all of his class and ability since joining the squad in October last year, and has also won the most turnovers for his team with 15 to date.
It makes him one part of an increasingly impressive forward pack, that Latu says is performing because of its cohesion and work as a group.
“Micky has been working very hard in getting the forward ready with a maul that we want to use as a weapon. The forwards are working really hard and by being on the tail, I’m picking up the tries. If the forwards as a group weren’t doing their jobs properly then I wouldn’t be getting the tries.”
Expanding on what is currently making the Falcons eight a potent force, Latu says “It all starts from the hooker with the throw, then the lifting and then setting up the maul. If you don’t get that right, you won’t score, so once you get the ball in everyone has to work hard and to understand the system that Micky has been running through.”
“It is working at the moment and we want to continue using our drive as a weapon and to score tries.”
While the work of the forwards as a group is generating tries for the Falcons, as important is their efforts in defence, which has proven effective at combating drives from the opposition in recent weeks.
Latu said: “We want to use it defensively against other teams as well. We’ve shown in the past that it is working really well and that as a unit we are in the right place, which makes everyone’s job a bit easier.”
The togetherness shown by the pack is also evident in the wider squad with players and coaches alike commenting about the positive atmosphere building at Kingston Park with Latu stating it will go along way in ensuring that the team achieves its aims.
“Being part of this team, I think we have made a big difference which comes down to our attitude and to applying ourselves to our work here.”
“I know most teams in our situation would probably throw the towel in and the great thing about our team is there is a lot of belief and fight in us. We are going to hit speed bumps along the way, but it’s about how you bounce back and I think that we are in the right place.”
“To build a house, you need strong foundations and I see that here at Newcastle. If we all keep working together as players, coaches, family and supporters, then we can build something really great. Yes it is going to take a bit of time, but I see it happening and that is a big positive for me.”
A return to Kingston Park is also a welcome plus for this evening for the former Tongan captain, with the boost provided by playing in front of family and friends in the home crowd an added motivating power.
“The boys have prepared really well this week and it’s a bonus that we are playing at home, in front of our crowd and families and these are the people who are most important to us.”
“They are our biggest supporters through good and bad times; it is great to see the Newcastle people are turning up to support the team and that is a big lift for us and it drives us as players and brings a lot of pride.”
Latu lines up for the Falcons this evening on the openside flank, with tickets still available to see he and his team mates take on the Tigers.
Tickets can be purchased by [clicking here][1], calling 0871 2266060 or by visiting the Kingston Park box office.
[1]: https://www.eticketing.co.uk/newcastle-falcons/default.aspx
