We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper|October 27, 2024
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
PAUL REES
We need to kick on after winning at last

THE end of Newcastle’s long wait for a victory in the Premiership created ripples that extended well beyond the north-east. The Falcons’ players were celebrating in the city centre when outside-half Ethan Grayson, who little more than a month ago was not thinking about playing in the Premiership as he prepared to return to the United States for a second season with San Diego Legion, received text alerts on his mobile phone.

They were from two Test centurions who between them appeared in four World Cup finals and who had been following Newcastle’s clash with Exeter at Kingston Park from thousands of miles away – former New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu and Matt Giteau, who played at outside-half and in the midfield for Australia.

For the first six months of the year, Grayson saw them on an almost daily basis with Giteau and Nonu, both in their 40s, lining up at 10 and 12 for the Legion and the 22-year old Grayson doing their running for them at outside centre.

“I learned the most I have ever done playing in San Diego,” said Grayson, who moved to the United States after London Irish collapsed two months after he had signed a contract having decided to leave his home club Northampton. “Playing outside those two was easy.

“I was there with my former teammates at Northampton Connor Tupai and Luke Green. We always got to the club early on training days, but no matter what time we arrived Ma’a was always there. We spoke to him about it and he said he went for an ice bath at 5.30 every morning and then had a sauna.

“We decided to join him, even though it meant getting up at 4.30, and it was time well spent. He had a fund of stories from his playing days and talked about the likes of Jonah Lomu, Christian Cullen and Tana Umaga. More than that, he taught me so much, not least the value of hard work.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 27, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
The Rugby Paper

Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen

HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Joe keen to follow in family footsteps

JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
The Rugby Paper

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Hancox joins the 200 club
The Rugby Paper

Hancox joins the 200 club

AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
The Rugby Paper

Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under

FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
To play in two World Cups was a dream
The Rugby Paper

To play in two World Cups was a dream

RUGBY started quite late for me.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Call time on this pantomime ploy
The Rugby Paper

Call time on this pantomime ploy

THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
The Rugby Paper

Coetzee's pulling his weight again

WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
The Rugby Paper

Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...

BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper

We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

time-read
5 mins  |
October 27, 2024