Richards making official complaint
NEWCASTLE Falcons boss Dean Richards was left frustrated by referee JP Doyle following his side’s 29-7 defeat to Saracens in their Aviva Premiership clash at Talen Energy Stadium in Philadelphia.
A try from USA international Chris Wyles and 17 points from the boot of fly-half Owen Farrell contributed to the Falcons’ first reverse of the Premiership campaign – but Richards was more concerned by the officiating of the showcase fixture.
He said: “There was a lot of endeavour but we lacked a bit of accuracy at times and I don’t think we got the rub of the green from the referee.
“Sometimes you have to earn the right with the referee.
“There were little things like Niki Goneva’s deliberate knock-on which came off his face.
“You would probably expect them to go to the TMO as it was a clear knock-on from his face rather than his hands and that can cost you dear if you are trying to get back into the game and get a match point. Little things like the review of the kick which went wide but was given by the touch judges – that can really count against you later on.”
The heat and humidity contributed to numerous handling errors which blighted what was the first game of a new four-year agreement between Premiership Rugby and promoters AEG it is hoped will increase exposure for English rugby’s top division while boosting the profile of the game in the States.
The Falcons, who welcomed back last season’s top try-scorer Vereniki Goneva for what was a ‘home’ fixture, began brightly in testing conditions and in front of an official crowd of 6,271, but they were denied any reward for their efforts.
It was Saracens who opened the scoring with a superb sweeping move which culminated in full-back Alex Goode finding home favourite Wyles, whose speed carried him over in the corner.
Farrell added an excellent conversion before Saracens turned the screw with a series of raids spearheaded by Billy Vunipola - but their execution repeatedly let them down at crucial moments.
Newcastle then scored against the run of play with flanker Mark Wilson latching on to a stray pass and galloping up field before feeding Goneva, who had too much pace for the cover defence.
Scrum-half Sonatane Takulua levelled the scores with another fine conversion but Saracens regained the lead on the half-hour through Farrell’s boot after Falcons captain Will Welch was penalised.
Farrell extended his side’s lead just before the break with his second penalty.
He notched his third early in the second half after the Falcons were guilty of going off their feet.
Farrell added two further penalties and Saracens then saw their dominance rewarded with a penalty try when Goneva knocked down a pass intended for Sean Maitland.