Walder: This can’t be a one-off
Newcastle were 30-15 victors and took the full five thanks to Mateo Carreras’ last-minute score, Walder saying afterwards: “Last week at Worcester wasn’t an accurate version of ourselves and not a performance to be proud of, but we were much better tonight.
“We’d had a chat in the week about our attitude and wanting to put in that 80-minute performance, and when our starting fly-half pulled out on the day of the game it’s just one of those things where you’re up against it.
“The pleasing thing is we managed to come through it, and we stemmed the tide.
“There was a big spell when we got back to 15 men after two sin-binnings and we kept the ball just their side of the half-way line, and we really steadied the ship.
“It was one of those passages of play that a lot of people won’t remember because nobody scored or anything like that, but in terms of the key to winning the game I thought it was a really important defensive period for us.
“We kept control, got possession and built from there in what turned out to be a strong finish.”
Asked about the contribution of Carreras and his returning countrymen Matias Orlando and Matias Moroni, the head coach said: “Somebody asked during the week what you get from the two Matiases, and it’s a case of grit, determination and just that international class.
“You stick Mateo Carreras on the edge of that, or ‘their little friend’ as they call him, and he’s a tough little character.
“I thought those three epitomised why we were so good tonight, and it was their work off the ball as much as what they did when we were in possession. They did the small things well, as did a lot of the lads.”
Assessing the importance of the result and the Falcons’ future prospects, Walder said: “It was my first win since taking over, so I’m proud of that, and it’s important for the entire playing and coaching staff. It’s been a huge team effort to produce that performance, and the thing now is to make sure it’s not a one-off.
“We won’t get carried away, and we can’t because we’ve got Saracens at home next Sunday!
“We’ve beaten the league leaders tonight who have got an unbelievable squad, and then we’re playing another unbelievable squad next week. That’s just the standard of the Gallagher Premiership, but we’ll definitely take confidence from this and know that we can repeat it.
“This has to become the norm rather than the exception, and when we get our attitude right we’re a very dangerous team.”
[**Click here**][1] to book tickets for the visit of Saracens on Sunday October 9.
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