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Try-scoring Leigh Halfpenny stars as Harlequins see off Newcastle

232 days ago

The scrum cap-wearing Leigh Halfpenny celebrates his try for Harlequins (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

Leigh Halfpenny celebrated a first Gallagher Premiership try as Harlequins picked up a 28-14 bonus-point victory over Newcastle at Twickenham Stoop. The former Wales and Lions Test star joined the Londoners in the summer after completing the Super Rugby Pacific season with Crusaders in New Zealand.

Halfpenny, capped 101 times by his country, showed his experience and skill in the west London sunshine, helping his new side bounce back from last weekend’s agonising one-point loss to Sale Sharks. The dynamic former Cardiff, Toulon and Scarlets man was on hand to take the pass from young wing Cassius Cleaves to race over for Quins’ third try.

After conceding an early try to the visitors, Marcus Smith kicked four conversions to help seal what became a relatively straightforward victory for Quins. For Newcastle, however, it was their second Premiership defeat of the new season and 23rd in a row. It is now 554 days since they last savoured a taste of league success with a win over Gloucester in March 2023.

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Falcons, who lost fly-half Brett Connon to injury in the warm-up with Ethan Grayson taking his place, struck the first blow after five minutes. Lock John Hawkins rounded off a series of phases as Newcastle surged up field to charge over and Grayson converted. However, that was as good as it got for the visitors as Quins woke from their stupor and took firm control,

Hooker Nathan Jibulu began the recovery as he powered over for their opening try with their first real attack of the contest. Falcons wing Adam Radwan left the field for an HIA, which he passed, and Quins took the lead with flanker Will Evans forcing his way over from close range.

Attack

208

Passes

156

148

Ball Carries

103

435m

Post Contact Metres

270m

Line Breaks

Smith converted and did the same when another cutting, decisive Quins attack saw wing Cleaves show off his pace before slipping the ball to Halfpenny to surge over the line to put Quins 21-7 ahead at half-time. The home side had the bonus point sewed up just a minute into the second half with Will Porter’s try after Cleaves and Oscar Beard combined to put him over.

Falcons lost full-back Elliott Obatoyinbo to the sin bin for a high tackle on Halfpenny but they responded positively with a strong break up-field and replacement Ben Redshaw produced a diving finish for a try converted by Grayson.

Halfpenny had another try ruled out for offside in the build-up while Falcons tried hard to work their way back into the contest, but were unable to create enough try-scoring opportunities to avoid enduring another frustrating defeat.

Is that SHOT of the weekend?!
Marcus Smith with a monster hit at the death ?#GallagherPrem | #HARvNEW pic.twitter.com/z6DqNaDa2W
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) September 28, 2024

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Comments

1 Comment

MB 232 days ago

Soooo happy to see Halfpenny playing again!!!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 6 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 6 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 6 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 6 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 6 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍