20 Questions: Dave Walder – Newcastle backs coach
Mixed. We're a win away from where we deserve to be but showed against Bath last week that we're improving. We need to be on our game for the full 80 minutes.
What's let you down?
It's been a confidence thing as a group and there have been issues around our goal-kicking. We're working hard on that and need to be more clinical in attack.
Enjoy being backs coach?
Love it. When I was a player I used to hate training and loved playing, but now it's gone full circle and I love training and hate games. Every day brings a new challenge.
What was your first club?
Northern. I played my first senior game for them when I was at uni and then got picked up by the Falcons academy. Before that I'd spent my gap year in Australia.
Play for anyone Down Under?
I looked to join Eastern Suburbs, Sydney, but they reckoned it would be tough to get selected so I played for Woollahra Colleagues instead. Great time.
Teenage rugby idol?
Rob Andrew played in the same position and was the one I admired. I had a caricature of him on my wall and it was ironic he ended up as my director of rugby.
Any other influences?
I came into Newcastle's academy with guys like Tom May and Jamie Noon and our U21 coach, Paul McKinnon, was brilliant. Terry Cobner, the former Wales flanker, was my tutor at school and he was a big influence between 13 and 18.
Play any other sports?
I captained England Schools U18s at cricket. Graeme Swann was in my team. Had chances with Northamptonshire and Durham and was a decent all-rounder, but Falcons came along with an offer.
Enjoy football as well?
I've always been a big Newcastle Utd fan and I had a season ticket for nearly 20 years. Heroes were Gazza and Peter Beardsley and I was a mascot at St James' Park in 1991.
Best moments in rugby?
Being capped by England, and our two cup wins at Newcastle. I scored the winning try against Harlequins in 2001 and the second against Sale in 2004 was just a great end-to-end game. It's special to win silverware with your home-town club.
Any career regrets?
Breaking my leg a few weeks before Wasps won the 2008 Premiership final. And if I had my time again, I'd have left Newcastle a couple of years earlier.
Best players played with or against?
With, Matt Burke, Jonny Wilkinson, Gary Armstrong and Inga Tuigamala; against, Lewis Moody who I played against at school and chased me throughout my career!
How do you chill-out?
As a player I'd play golf and go to live sporting events. But I've got two young children now so they keep me busy.
Hobbies or pastimes?
I binge read sporadically. I'll read three or four books in quick succession then not touch one for a couple of months. Love watching sport on TV.
Best places visited?
Holiday-wise, love Barbados. Loved Australia, too, and my brother lives in LA so I enjoy America… Florida and Gulf of Mexico are great. I like the sun!
Rituals or superstitions?
Always have a pair of lucky pants. Three or four pairs during my playing career saw me through!
Pet hates/annoyances?
I'm quite an angry man and hate smoking and people who don't say ‘thank you' when you make way for them on the road. Rude people annoy me.
Best and worst banter at Falcons?
Amongst the coaching staff, our team manager John Stokoe and masseur Barry Graham have rubbish banter. They sit there giggling like little girls. Best is our forwards coach, Micky Ward, who's a really funny guy.
Change anything about rugby?
I get frustrated with the amount of input from assistant referees, who make calls on scrums from 45-metres that too often influence games.
Future ambitions?
Get Newcastle as high up the league as possible and do well in the Challenge Cup. Longer term, I want to coach England. You've always got to strive to be the best.
