Gopperth has racked up 216 points for the Falcons this season

Newcastle Falcons fly-half Jimmy Gopperth believes there are encouraging signs for next season despite their struggles during this campaign.

Gopperth, 26, arrived from North Harbour in summer 2009 and admitted the side have taken their time to gel in the Premiership this year.

"We're a young team, we've only come together this year, so it's a learning curve," Gopperth told BBC Newcastle.

"Next year we've got good things put in place that can take us forward."

The Junior All-Black arrived at Kingston Park with a reputation as a ball-carrying fly-half in the Southern Hemisphere with Hurricanes in the Super 14 and North Harbour in the Air New Zealand Cup.

But Gopperth's natural flair has been tempered by the quality of the pitches and the Falcons' forward-driven brand of rugby.

The New Plymouth-born half-back admitted he must mould his own game to suit the nature of the Premiership.

"You've got to play as a team," Gopperth added.

"We want to run the ball but we've got to do that in the right areas. A lot of the time we're stuck in our half.

"You've got to play what's around you and how the game's being ruled.

"You can't mess about with the ball in your half because you get turned over and it's three points straight away."

Gopperth is the Premiership's second top-scoring player.

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