Newcastle Falcons 30-34 Wasps Rugby Aviva Premiership Match Results

🏉 Wasps beat Newcastle to go top of Premiership

Danny Cipriani crossed for Wasps before going off injured at half-time

Aviva Premiership
Newcastle (22) 30
Tries: Takulua, Watson, Vickers, Wilson Cons: Hodgson 2 Pens: Hodgson 2
Wasps (21) 34
Tries: Cipriani, Wade, Young, Gopperth Cons: Cipriani 3, Gopperth Pens: Gopperth, Daly

Wasps went top of the Premiership as they came from 12-0 down inside four minutes to beat Newcastle with a bonus-point victory at Kingston Park.

Six of the game's eight tries came before the break as Falcons' Sonatane Takulua, Marcus Watson and Rob Vickers crossed to earn a 22-21 half-time lead.

Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade and Thomas Young replied for Wasps.

Jimmy Gopperth scored Wasps' only second-half try before Falcons' Mark Wilson earned two losing bonus points.

Wilson's quick tap penalty brought Newcastle's fourth try with just 40 seconds left, but Joel Hodgson's conversion hit the post and there was not enough time to take further advantage of Wasps being down to 14 men for the second time in the match.

The visitors spent the majority of the final 23 minutes a man short after Guy Thompson's yellow card for offside followed an earlier one for Josh Bassett's deliberate knock-on.

Wasps, who last won the title in 2008, are now five points clear of reigning champions Saracens, who visit Leicester on New Year's Day.

A stunning contest in front of Newcastle's biggest home gate of the season was lit up almost from the first whistle when Alex Tait found Takulua to score before Watson charged down the left wing to add another, Hodgson converting the second of them for a 12-0 lead.

But Wasps replied with two tries of their own inside two minutes as Ciprani collected his own chip over the top to score before winger Wade got on the end of Dan Robson's chip and chase for his 60th Premiership try.

Vickers then drove over from close range to restore the hosts' lead, followed by the first of Hodgson's two penalties, only for Young's try on his 50th Wasps appearance, converted by Cipriani, to bring the deficit back to just a point at the break.

Cipriani went off at half-time with a sprained ankle, suffered in the act of scoring his try. But, within six minutes of the restart, his half-time replacement Gopperth scored against his old club, converting his own try.

Christian Wade galloped through to claim Wasps' second try in as many minutes at Kingston Park

And, although Hodgson's second penalty brought it back to 24-28, further kicks from Gopperth and Elliot Daly stretched Wasps far enough to clear to ensure that Newcastle's late try was only a double-bonus-point-earning consolation.

Newcastle director of rugby Dean Richards:

"We're playing well. We're enjoying our rugby. We'd be enjoying it more if we'd won."

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young:

"Coming here is never easy. We expected a real tough game and we got one. It was always going to be a test for us. But what we showed in abundance was character and commitment.

"It was far from an ideal start for us. We've got to give Newcastle credit. They were really clinical. But sometimes it's better if it's in the first couple of minutes rather than 20 minutes in.

"I was really pleased at how we dug ourselves back into it. I was pleased that the boys didn't panic. Sometimes we lacked a little bit of brainpower.When we went six points up we were trying offloads and giving away silly penalties when there was no need to.

"We gave Newcastle a lot of momentum to come back at us. With eight minutes to go that game was still up in the air. Bu we go away with five points. We've got to be happy with that."

Newcastle: Tait; Goneva, Agulla, Socino, Watson; Hodgson, Takulua; Vickers, Lawson, Welsh, Green, Witty, Hogg, Wilson (capt), Fonua.

Replacements: Sowrey, Harris, Wilson, Holmes, Welch, Egerton, Willis, Waldouck.

Wasps: Miller; Wade, Daly, Eastmond, Bassett; Cipriani, Robson; Mullan (capt), Taylor, Moore, Symons, Gaskell, Young, Thompson, Hughes.

Replacements: Johnson, Bristow, Swainston, Rowlands, Rieder, Simpson, Gopperth, Armitage.

Sin bin: Bassett (57), Thompson (75).

Attendance: 8,730.

Referee: Tom Foley.

BBC Sports contributed to this match reports.

George North: World Rugby wants more information from RFU over 'non-compliance'

Wales wing George North has played 64 times for Northampton Saints since joining in 2013

World Rugby wants more information from the Rugby Football Union about Northampton's "apparent non-compliance" with concussion protocols relating to George North's latest head injury.

The Northampton Saints wing should not have returned to the field of play after a mid-air tackle on 3 December, an RFU concussion review panel said.

But the panel determined Saints will face no sanctions over the incident.

The Saints medical team have accepted that North may have lost consciousness.

The 24-year-old Wales international previously suffered four head blows in five months between November 2014 and March 2015, leading to a spell on the sidelines that lasted from 27 March until 29 August.

The panel's 17-page report into his latest injury, released on Wednesday, stated that the head injury assessment (HIA) protocol was followed correctly.

But the game's governing body says that assessment should not have been undertaken and that the Wales international should have been "immediately and permanently removed" because of "a suspected loss of consciousness" involving a "high-risk player based on medical history".

It acknowledged "a risk of human error" but said it was "disappointed" at decisions taken which led to North remaining on the field of play.

What did the panel say?

The Concussion Management Review Group, which spent two weeks analysing the case, also concluded that North should not have returned to the field.

But it opted not to recommend any punishment - saying Northampton did not fail any protocols or ignore North's best interests.

North appeared to lie motionless after the incident, but told medics he had stayed still because he was "concerned about his neck".

The lack of any sanction against Northampton has prompted severe criticism.

Dr Barry O'Driscoll, a former World Rugby medical adviser, suggested rugby union's authorities are "experimenting on players' brains" by failing to address concussion.

The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) said North's return to the field was a "significant failing", and believes sanctions would have sent a "clear message" about the "gravity of concussion management".

Former Scotland international John Beattie said he was worried for the future of young players, adding: "We can't have a game where the end product is a brain-damaged super-human who's made a bit of money."

Peter McCabe, chief executive of brain injury association Headway, said "serious questions have to be asked" of the existing protocols, adding: "This incident sends out a confusing message around the issue of concussion, particularly for children who follow the example of famous players and favourite clubs."

Sports injury lawyer Ian Christian said the panel's decision was "hugely disappointing", and a missed opportunity for rugby authorities to "make a statement".

George North: Rugby authorities 'experimenting on players' brains' says medical expert

Wales winger George North has played 64 times for Northampton Saints since joining in 2013

Rugby union authorities are "experimenting on players' brains" by failing to address concussion, a former World Rugby medical advisor says.

A review panel has not punished Northampton despite finding that George North should not have played on for Saints after a head knock this month.

It was the fifth blow to the head the Wales winger has suffered in two years.

"They have had enough examples of how it has gone wrong to say 'enough is enough'," said Dr Barry O'Driscoll.

"If you have to take a player off to have a concussion assessment you must suspect concussion and he must stay off. But they are experimenting in that part of the game that is the most brutal."

The Rugby Players' Association (RPA) said North's return to the field was a "significant failing", and believes sanctions would have sent a "clear message" about the "gravity of concussion management".

The union added the recommendations in the report "must be adopted" to ensure North's case is an "isolated incident".

Former Scotland international John Beattie added that he was worried for the future of young players, and that they "have to be protected" from brain damage.

"We can't have a game where the end product is a brain-damaged super-human who's made a bit of money," the 59-year-old BBC pundit told BBC Radio 5 live.

"I know blokes my age and younger who have brain damage. I worry about George North, I think we need to be much more careful with players."

The report states that, although North, 24, appeared to lie motionless after the incident against Leicester Tigers on 3 December, he told medics he had stayed still because he was "concerned about his neck".

North also "continued to deny any loss of consciousness with immediate recall of events", with the "only symptom recorded being neck pain".

But Beattie said that "the last person you should listen to is the player" as they are "trapped in a money-earning spiral".

North's concussion history

The Northampton back suffered four head blows in five months between November 2014 and March 2015, leading to a spell on the sidelines that lasted from 27 March until 29 August.

• 22 November 2014: North suffers first concussion in Wales' 34-16 defeat by New Zealand
• 6 February 2015: Suffers accidental kick to the head during first half of 21-16 loss to England, but after assessment returns to the field
• 6 February 2015: Receives second blow to the head in second half of same game, appears to have been knocked out but finishes match
• 27 March 2015: North is knocked unconscious scoring a try in Northampton's 52-30 win over Wasps

What are the rules?

• With suspected concussion, club doctors have 13 minutes to decide if a player can return to the field.
• All Premiership grounds and Twickenham have medical teams with access to replays to help that decision.
• Any player with confirmed or suspected concussion will be permanently removed.

Protocols 'not fit for purpose'

Despite describing video technology in concussion assessments as "a great idea", O'Driscoll said the current protocols are "not fit for purpose".

"These protocols are terribly poor, they're dangerous - they're putting brain-damaged players back on the field time and time again," he said.

"In community rugby, women's rugby, school kids rugby, there's no such thing as a protocol test because it doesn't work. It's black and white with them, if they have to come off they stay off."

Peter McCabe, chief executive of brain injury association Headway, said that "serious questions have to be asked" of the existing concussion protocols.

"This incident sends out a confusing message around the issue of concussion, particularly for children who follow the example of famous players and favourite clubs," he said.

"It is essential that a safety-first approach is taken."

Meanwhile, sports injury lawyer Ian Christian said the decision was "hugely disappointing", and a missed opportunity for rugby authorities to "make a statement" on the importance of the issue.

"This isn't the first time George North has played on when all those watching thought he should be off the pitch and it proves that players need protecting from themselves," he said.

"This was an opportunity for the panel to make a statement about concussion and the importance of a safety first approach and it has been wasted."

Medics 'would never jeopardise a player's health'

Former England international Andy Hazell - who retired because of a concussion injury in 2014 - told BBC Radio 5 live that player welfare is "100%" at the forefront of decision-making by club doctors.

"People forget that the medical team and the players see each other daily, there's a bond," he said.

"The rugby community is a tight community, at the end of the day these are your friends, and people would never jeopardise a player's health.

"There's never any question that a medical team would want to put the player at harm."

Bath 22 vs 6 Bristol European Rugby Challenge Cup Highlights.

Bath's Rhys Priestland kicks the first of his five penalties

European Rugby Challenge Cup
Bath (12) 22
Try: Banahan Pens: Priestland 5 Con: Priestland
Bristol (3) 6
Pens: Searle, Geraghty

Bath beat Bristol in the European Rugby Challenge Cup as the West Country foes met for the first time since 2009.

The hosts led 12-3 at the break as Rhys Priestland kicked four out of four penalties, while debutant academy fly-half Billy Searle replied for Bristol.

Bristol replacement Shane Geraghty closed the gap after the break, but Priestland quickly replied.

And the Bath fly-half took his tally to 17 points after Matt Banahan's 80th-minute try.

The visitors were down to 13 players for a short time late on, after yellow cards to Jack Tovey and Geraghty.

Bath: T. Homer, Williams, Joseph, Banahan, Brew, Priestland, W. Homer, Auterac, van Vuuren, Lahiff, Charteris, Ewels, Garvey, G. Mercer, Z. Mercer.

Replacements: Dunn, Knight, Palma-Newport, Stooke, Houston, Bowden, Hastings, Rokoduguni.

Bristol: J. Williams, Edwards, Tovey, Hurrell, Varndell, Searle, Cliff, Traynor, Brooker, Perenise, Evans, J. Phillips, Eadie, Fisher, Crane.

Replacements: Hawkins, O'Connell, Hall, Nemsadze, Robinson, Uren, Geraghty, Wallace.

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland).

All Blacks run in nine tries against Springboks to make it 17 straight Test wins

Waisake Naholo runs in the direction of Springbok fly-half Morne Steyn. (AP)

NEW ZEALAND thrashed South Africa 57-15 in a Rugby Championship final-round Test after leading by only three points at halftime to notch a record-equalling 17th consecutive victory.

The All Blacks were without disgraced scrum-half Aaron Smith, who flew home on Thursday after revelations he indulged in a toilet tryst with a female at Christchurch airport last month while travelling with the team.

But stand-in TJ Perenara took full advantage of his opportunity at a packed Kings Park Stadium to score two tries in an ultimately emphatic win born out of relentless pressure that delivered seven second-half tries.

New Zealand, who now share the record with South Africa, will become the first top-tier team to win 18 Tests in a row if they defeat Australia on October 22 in Auckland.

Week-long rain in Durban stayed away as the match kicked off, but a swirling wind made conditions difficult for handling and kicking.

South Africa fly-half Morne Steyn made light of the difficulties to score from his first penalty attempt after five minutes in front of a capacity 50,000 crowd.

New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett, who began the game as the leading Rugby Championship scorer this season with 65 points, fluffed his first penalty attempt.

South Africa were gaining little possession but defended with a lot more spirit than on a recent, disastrous tour in which they lost to Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Steyn slotted another penalty to double the lead to six points before the All Blacks scored their first try through right winger Israel Dagg on 22 minutes.

It was a typical New Zealand score with backs and forwards applying pressure in the danger zone and when the ball was moved wide, a quick pass from flanker Jerome Kaino sent Dagg over.

New Zealand's TJ Perenara scored a controversial try in the first half. (AFP)

Barrett was out of luck with the conversion, which struck the near post, leaving the Springboks 6-5 ahead.

Given another penalty chance, Steyn made no mistake and the home side led by four points as the match passed the 30-minute mark.

The visitors took the lead for the first time when Perenara was awarded a try after numerous replays were shown to the referee, his assistant and the television match official.

Perenara appeared to have lost control of the ball forward before dotting down, but he got the nod and Barrett converted for a 12-9 advantage they retained until halftime.

New Zealand thought they had scored another try through lock Brodie Retallick just before the break, but this time the officials ruled it out, saying captain Kieran Read was guilty of obstruction.

The second half began as the first ended with the All Blacks on the offensive and Dagg notched his fifth try of this Championship within five minutes of the restart.

Once again he went over far out, after passes from Perenara and Barrett set him up, and the fly-half failed to convert, his third miss from four shots at goal in the challenging conditions.

A Steyn penalty kept the Springboks in the hunt, but when fullback Patrick Lambie had a clearance charged down, Barrett won the chase for the loose ball to score, but failed to convert.

It was becoming an uneven contest between the goal kicking of Steyn and the try-scoring world champions and after the Springboks playmaker slotted a fifth penalty, his side conceded a fifth try.

Fullback Ben Smith was the catalyst, winning an aerial duel with Lambie, and quick, slick handling resulted in Perenara scoring and Barrett converting for a 29-15 lead.

It went from bad to worse in the closing stages for South Africa as Barrett converted his try and Lima Sopoaga added the extra points to scores by fellow substitute, hooker Codie Taylor, fullback Smith and replacement flanker Liam Squire.

All Blacks hotel room in Sydney 'bugged'

The All Blacks have been training in Sydney ahead of their first Bledisloe Cup game against Australia's Wallabies (Reuters)

New Zealand Rugby says a hotel room where the All Blacks held meetings in Sydney was bugged before a match against Australia.

The New Zealand Herald reported that a "sophisticated" listening device had been concealed in a chair.

The All Blacks are due to play the Wallabies on Saturday.

The CEO of New Zealand Rugby, Steve Tew, said in a statement that Australian police and the Australian Rugby Union had been informed.

He said: "We are taking this issue very seriously, and given it will be a police matter, it would not be prudent to go into further details."