1
Kiwis Abroad - Best New Zealand Squad Playing in Europe
Given the overflow of talent in New Zealand, coupled with the money on offer in Europe, many Kiwis head north to ply their trade. What would be your top New Zealand 23 consisting of players currently playing in Europe? Connor Whittick takes a look at some of the options and puts forward a proposed squad:
- Ben Franks (London Irish). The veteran prop has been plying his trade in the second division of English rugby this year and has impressed for London Irish after joining from the Hurricanes in 2015.
- Corey Flynn (Glasgow Warriors). At the age of 36, Flynn’s playing career must be coming towards an end, but the veteran hooker has impressed in Europe after joining Toulouse in 2014, and will be wearing the Black and White jersey of the Barbarians later this month.
- Ben Tameifuna (Racing 92). The giant prop was called up to the Tonga squad for the 2016 Autumn Internationals after failing to break into the All Blacks set up whilst playing for the Chiefs.
- Mark Reddish (Harlequins). Started for the Highlanders in the memorable 2015 Final of Super Rugby, and has since moved to England to ply his trade for the Harlequins.
- Jeremy Thrush (Gloucester). The former All Black lock has become a fan’s favourite at Kingsholm since signing in 2015 after a 7 year stint with the Hurricanes.
- Mike Fitzgerald (Leicester Tigers) The 30 year old has become an important part of the Leicester pack since his move from the Chiefs in 2015, and has shown his versatility by playing in both the second and back row.
- Brendan O’Connor (Leicester Tigers). Tipped by some to represent England, O’Connor is a mobile loose forward and has performed very well for the Tigers despite some injury setbacks.
- Victor Vito (La Rochelle). A 2 time World Cup winner with New Zealand, Vito has proven his worth with La Rochelle this season with the club flying high at the top of the Top 14
- Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster). The first Pro 12 player on this list, Gibson-Park has played well for Leinster this year, and many tip him for a place in the Ireland setup in the future, becoming eligible for selection in 2019.
- Dan Carter (Racing 92). Who else? Carter has consistently shone for Racing 92 in the Top 14, scoring 15 points and winning the Man of the Match Award in the 2016 final of the competition.
- Johnny McNicholl (Scarlets). The former Crusader and Canterbury speedster has made it clear that he has international ambitions with Wales in the future, and with his Scarlets side exceeding expectations in the Pro 12 this year many expect McNicholl to find a place in the Welsh backline in the future.
- Jimmy Gopperth (Wasps). Recently nominated for Aviva Premiership player of the year, the versatile back has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Wasps since his move from Leinster.
- Bundee Aki (Connacht). A key member of the Connacht side that won the Pro 12 in 2016, the former Chief shall be representing the Barbarians later this month, and is tipped by some to receive international honours with Ireland in the future.
- Isaia Toeava (Clermont Auvergne), a versatile back and former All Black, Toeava signed for Clermont in 2016 and hasn’t looked back, with his club side seeking to win the European Championship next week.
- Charles Piutau (Ulster). Although he has shown a slight dip in form over the last few months, Piutau has been nothing short of a revelation for Wasps and Ulster since moving to Europe in 2015. Many tip the flying back to return to New Zealand in time for the 2019 World Cup.
- Rhys Marshall (Munster). The former New Zealand u20 hooker has impressed in the Pro 12 this season since signing from Chiefs last Summer.
- Aled de Malmanche (Stade Francais). The former Chief and All Black can play in any 3 of the front row positions, and is currently in his sixth year at Stade Francais.
- John Afoa (Gloucester). One of the highest paid players in world rugby, Afoa will turn 34 this year, and has had a career many fellow players would envy after winning 35 All Black caps and amassing over 100 Super Rugby games for the Blues.
- Hayden Triggs (Leinster). Triggs has formed a reliable second row partnership with Devin Toner for Leinster in Ireland, with the reliable lock celebrating his 35th birthday earlier this year.
- Nick Williams (Cardiff Blues). The big ball carrying back row forward has played for four different European clubs since joining Munster in 2008.
- Jono Kitto (Leicester Tigers). The 3rd Tiger on this list, Kitto has impressed for Leicester since joining them in 2015, contesting with Ben Youngs and Sam Harrison for the scrum half position at the club.
- Ma’a Nonu (Toulon). An All Black veteran and former 2 time World Cup winner, Nonu is part of a bulky Toulon back line that has performed well in the Top 14 this season.
- Willis Halaholo (Cardiff Blues). A 2016 Super Rugby winner with the Hurricanes, many were surprised after Halaholo’s move to Wales was confirmed, with some tipping the big centre to achieve full All Black honours prior to his move.
Watch every match of the Lions Tour of NZ streaming live on rugbypass.com, home of the best online rugby coverage including news, highlights, previews & reviews, live scores, and more!
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
Wow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
1 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
1 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
16 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
16 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to commentsMake what step up? Manie has a World Cup winner’s medal around his neck and changed the way the Springboks can play. He doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The win record of the Boks with him in the team is tremendous. Sacha can be wonderful and I hope he has a very succesful Bok career, but comparing him to Manie in terms of the next Bok flyhalf is very strange. Manie is the incumbent (not the next) and doing pretty incredibly.
4 Go to comments00 😍 U
1 Go to commentsSabbaticals have helped keep NZ’s very best talent in the country on long term deals - this fact has been left out of this article. Much like the articles calling to allow overseas players to be selected, yet can only name one player currently not signed to NZR who would be selected for the ABs. And in the entire history of NZ players leaving to play overseas, literally only 4 or 5 have left in their prime as current ABs. (Piatau, Evans, Hayman, Mo’unga,?) Yes Carter got an injury while playing in France 16 years ago, but he also got a tournament ending injury at the 2011 World Cup while taking mid-week practice kicks at goal. Maybe Jordie gets a season-ending injury while playing in Ireland, maybe he gets one next week against the Brumbies. NZR have many shortcomings, but keeping the very best players in the country and/or available for ABs selection is not one of them. Likewise for workload management - players missing 2 games out of 14 is hardly a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Again let’s use some facts - did it stop the Crusaders winning SR so many times consecutively when during any given week they would be missing 2 of their best players? The whole idea of the sabbatical is to reward your best players who are willing to sign very long term deals with some time to do whatever they want. They are not handed out willy-nilly, and at nowhere near the levels that would somehow devalue Super Rugby. In this particular example JB is locked in with NZR for what will probably (hopefully) be the best years of his career, hard to imagine him not sticking around for a couple more after for a Lions tour and one more world cup. He has the potential to become the most capped AB of all time. A much better outcome than him leaving NZ for a minimum of 3 years at the age of 27, unlikely to ever play for the ABs again, which would be the likely alternative.
3 Go to commentsJake White talks more sense than anything I've read in the last 5 years. Hope someone's listening.
16 Go to comments