Vereniki Goneva Pledges Future to Falcons

Vereneki Goneva has provided Newcastle Falcons a significant boost by extending his stay at the club.

The 49-times-capped Fijian international has been a revelation during his two seasons on Tyneside, scoring 17 tries in his 28 Premiership games and topping last season’s league-wide Opta stats for metres made.

Winning last season’s Falcons Player of the Year and Players’ Player awards, the 33-year-old has dotted down eight tries in his 10 outings this season, scoring in his last three matches to help propel Newcastle into the top half of the table.

Delighted to have retained the winger’s services, Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Niki is a model professional who keeps himself in amazing shape and delivers time and time again on the field.

“He is an extremely humble guy who very quietly goes about his business, his ability to score tries is truly in the world class bracket and it’s fantastic news for Newcastle Falcons that he will be staying with us.”

Goneva, who is the second-top try-scorer in this season’s Premiership, said: “I have loved my two years with the Falcons and it is great to be able to extend that time.

“It’s a very positive environment here at Kingston Park, we are making good progress and I have been made to feel at home in Newcastle. I’m excited about what this club can achieve in the future and I’m glad that I will be part of it.”

Insisting there are plenty more miles on the clock, Goneva said: “I didn’t start playing professionally until my mid-20s so I have a lot of rugby ahead of me, I feel like I’m in great shape and it was an easy decision in terms of staying with Newcastle.