Sean urges Falcons to get clinical
TURNING possession and territory into points continues to be a work-on for Newcastle, admits top lineout operator Sean Robinson.
If today’s match against reigning champions Exeter goes to type, it will be the battle of the ‘keepball kings’.
Exeter and Newcastle are the only sides to have averaged over 20 minutes’ worth of possession per match in the Premiership this season.
Blindside flanker Robinson knows for Newcastle to be considered in the same conversation as Bristol, Exeter and Wasps – who have crossed the whitewash 25 times apiece compared to Falcons’ 17 – they need to be more clinical.
Converting their lineout dominance into tries – a tried-and-trusted tactic of their opponents – is one obvious route to achieving that goal.
“We’ve spoken about that; it is an area of the game we can improve to help take us to the next level,” said Robinson, who turns 30 tomorrow.
“We have not scored an attacking bonus point yet but if we can get our attacking maul going a bit better, I think that will sort of open up other things and give us more opportunities to score which is what we want to do.
“That’s the big work-on for us. We have controlled territory and possession, which is a huge positive, and hopefully, all the work we are putting in comes to fruition.”
The 6ft 4ins Robinson has started every league game thus far, and has won more lineouts (36) than any other top-flight player.
In last weekend’s 31-22 defeat to London Irish, Robinson captained the Falcons in what has been an enjoyable season to date.
After breaking his arm twice the last time Newcastle were in the Premiership, the loose forward is relishing the game time and the extra responsibility coming his way.
“It’s nice to back out playing. I had it tough when we were last in the Premiership on the injury front so from a personal point of view, it is nice to be back out there playing at the top level and being injury-free.
“Any form of captaincy is a huge honour and a privilege,” he added. “Obviously, I was disappointed with how things went in terms of our performance and the result but at the same time, it was a huge personal honour.
“I was involved in captaining Durham a little bit at University, when I played alongside Simon Hammersley and Josh Beaumont, but it is relatively new to me. I am learning on the job but I am really enjoying the experience.”
Having played Championship rugby, with Rotherham and Newcastle, Robinson appreciates the opportunities that are coming his way in what has been a good start to the season for him and the Falcons.
“These are the sort of games you want to be involved in,” he said. “We spent a year in the Championship and this week we have an opportunity to play one of the best sides in Europe.”