Newcastle defend club's culture after 100 people face RFU grilling
Head coach Dave Walder has defended Newcastle Falcon’s diversity record following reports that almost 100 people involved with the club had been interviewed as part of the Rugby Football Union’s investigation into allegations of racism in the sport made by Luther Burrell, their former England centre.
Burrell revealed yesterday that the RFU report on the investigation is due to be revealed in “a couple of weeks” with the ex-Falcons squad member insisting he has not thrown anyone or any club “under the bus.”
With Newcastle appearing to be singled out for particular attention by the investigation, Walder has been quick to highlight the club’s record of accommodating players from all over the rugby world and their current squad includes representatives of Fiji, Samoa, USA and Argentina.
The Falcons have previously created opportunities for players from Fiji to talk about their home country while Samoan players have cooked for their teammates using a traditional firepit. Walder, whose squad is currently without three Pumas internationals on test duty, has now lost Fijian utility back George Wacokecoke who broke his ankle in the loss to Bath and he is not expected to be back until the end of the season.
As Walder prepared for the long coach trip to this weekend’s Premiership match at Gloucester, he said: “There was a story and investigations have taken place and we have to wait for the findings to discover what went on. There were interviews a while ago and we have a brilliant group at the club and I can’t speak highly enough of them. I love working with them everyday and the fact that there are people from all different backgrounds from all around the world.
“Over the years, some of the most enjoyable meetings have been when we have had culture days. We have asked different cultures to present on their backgrounds and lives. For example I didn’t realise that in Fiji the people living on the coast are far more Americanised than those from the mountains and Niki Goneva and Tevita Cavubati presented to us.
"That is something I have always enjoyed about Newcastle is the diversity of the group and how we all pull together in the same direction.
“When I lived in London with Wasps people would leave training and go to a different part of the city and you wouldn’t see or talk to them. Up here in Newcastle everyone lives within 10-15 mins of each other and there is far more coffee groups and socials with larger numbers because they are so close together."
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It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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