Wales heading North with George

13:45, Feb 10 2012

Wales' teenage rising star George North will go into Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash against Scotland being hailed as "a superstar of the game". Winger North's debut Six Nations campaign, despite being just one game old, has already seen him break a world record. His try against Ireland in Dublin last weekend set a new mark of 10 for most Test touchdowns as a teenager, surpassing the previous best set by Argentina wing Gustavo Jorge. Given that Jorge scored six of his nine tries against Brazil, while more than half of North's tally came against South Africa, England, Ireland and Argentina, it underlines what a startling impact he has made on international rugby. Wales coach Warren Gatland described the 19-year-old's display last Sunday as "absolutely world-class," a performance highlighted by a destructive midfield break and brilliant one-handed offload that set up centre Jonathan Davies' second try. "I was behind George when he gave the offload for Jon Davies' second try," Wales fly-half Rhys Priestland recalled. "I had to stop because I couldn't believe what I had just seen! He is a superstar of the game, and he is only 19. My first experience of George was when he started training with the Scarlets at the start of last season. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT "I hadn't met him before, and I remember we were doing gym testing. This guy was just so much stronger than anyone else in the squad, and I said to him afterwards had he done much with his time off. "He said he'd had exams, and I said were they university exams, and he said: `No, A levels!' "I play in the same team as him all the time, and he doesn't seem to stop surprising me. "I had heard of him when he was playing for Llandovery before he joined the Scarlets, and everyone said he was going to be a good player, but I had no idea he was so young and how good he was going to be. "He is someone who concentrates on the basics. He tries to get over the gain-line, he runs hard and he has good support lines."

Top | Back | E-mail to a friend | Printable version

Sport latest headlines Solskjaer not heading to Villa 22:45, May 22 2012 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has pulled out of the running to become the new Aston Villa manager, Press Association Sport understands. more Real is 'perfect challenge' for Mourinho 20:45, May 22 2012 Jose Mourinho believes the task of leading Real Madrid for the next four years represents "the perfect challenge" for the next stage of his coaching career after he signed a new deal with the club. more Care bares his soul 18:45, May 22 2012 Danny Care is determined to repay the faith of those who stuck by him during a troubled season and inspire Harlequins to their first Aviva Premiership title. more Hargreaves released by City 16:45, May 22 2012 Midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been released by Manchester City after his short-term deal expired. more I won't stop tweeting - KP 15:45, May 22 2012 Kevin Pietersen has brushed off concerns his latest Twitter outburst could land him in trouble with the England and Wales Cricket Board and has no plans to tone down his comments on the micro-blogging site. more Drogba to leave Chelsea 15:45, May 22 2012 Didier Drogba will leave Chelsea when his contract runs out at the end of June, the club have announced on their website. more Haye rejects jibes from Klitschko camp 14:45, May 22 2012 David Haye has rubbished claims from Vitali Klitschko's manager that he is "afraid" of facing the Ukrainian heavyweight. more Broad up to third in rankings 14:45, May 22 2012 Stuart Broad has achieved a career-best position in the latest ICC Player Rankings following his maiden 10-wicket haul in England's first Test victory over the West Indies, which concluded at Lord's on Monday. more Mourinho extends Bernabeu stay 13:45, May 22 2012 Jose Mourinho has signed a new contract with Real Madrid which ties him to the club until 2016, the Primera Division champions have announced. more Injury forces Leamy to hang up boots 12:45, May 22 2012 Denis Leamy has become the third Munster player this season to announce an early retirement due to injury. more Fans' group challenge Liverpool owners 11:45, May 22 2012 Liverpool owners have been challenged to publicly explain their strategy for the club by a leading fans' group. more Williams 'proud' of torch role 11:45, May 22 2012 Winter Olympics gold medallist Amy Williams said carrying the Olympic torch was an "amazing feeling". more

 

Copyright and Trade Mark Notice

© 2012 owned by or licensed to ncjMedia Limited. icNewcastle™ is a trade mark of ncjMedia Limited. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 

Jobs Newcastle, Homes in Northeast, Used Cars Northeast, Newcastle Free Classified ads Mortgages, Jobs in Newcastle Local Mole - Local Directory