Kiwis carving up the north - La Rochelle hot to trot
Steve Hansen’s old French club has never won the Top 14 nor challenged in Europe.
But La Rochelle’s supporters have cause to dream after what was described as a “masterclass” in their 49-29 defeat of Wasps in round three of European Champions Cup action.
All Blacks halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow only linked up with the club last week, so was not thrust into action at the weekend, but did soak up the match in the stands.
However, the New Zealand contingent at Stade Rochelais was again to the fore. No 8 Victor Vito made 21 runs, three tackles and gave a try assist, while lock Jason Eaton and prop Uini Atonio were also in the starting XV. Hikairo Forbes and Rene Ranger were both injected off the bench. The club is now 3-0 in Pool 1, and leads the Top 14 by two points nearly halfway through the season.
Jimmy Gopperth, at second five, kicked two goals for Wasps, who have the return game against La Rochelle in Coventry this weekend.
Elsewhere, Ulster duo Charlie Piutau and Sean Reidy enjoyed a fine 17-5 away win at Harlequins, who fielded Alofa Alofa and Mat Luamanu.
Fullback Jayden Hayward scored a try for Treviso in the 28-33 loss to Scarlets. Bay of Plenty wing Monty Ioane wore the No 11 jersey for the Italians, while Whetu Douglas entered off the bench. Johnny McNicholl and Hadleigh Parkes turned out for Scarlets.
Tries to Ma’a Nonu and Alby Mathewson helped Toulon to a 24-20 victory over Todd Blackadder’s Bath, whose Kiwis were Paul Grant, Kahn Fotuali’i and Jack Wilson.
Maama Vaipulu scored the match-winning try, in the 77th minute, for Castres to edge Racing-Metro 16-13, for whom Joe Rokocoko and Ben Tameifuna started. David Smith was, as ever, on the left wing for Castres.
A try to centre Kieron Fonotia helped his Ospreys to beat Northampton 43-32. Dylan Hartley and wing Ahsee Tuala scored tries for Saints. Piers Francis and Michael Paterson also featured.
A try to hooker Rhys Marshall helped see Munster to a 33-10 win over Leicester, whose numbers included Telusa Veainu, Mike FitzGerald, Valentino Mapapalangi and Logovi’i Mulipola.
In the battle of the Kiwi coaches, Vern Cotter’s Montpellier won a fine 29-22 result at Dave Rennie’s Glasgow. Aaron Cruden and Nemani Nadolo were at Nos 10 and 11 respectively for the French club, while Samuela Vunisa and Siua Halanukonuka featured for the Warriors.
Saracens versus Clermont was postponed due to adverse weather, while Leinster, featuring captain Isa Nacewa, who kicked two goals, Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent, beat Thomas Waldrom’s Exeter 18-8.
In the European Challenge Cup, Pau rested several of its Kiwis, but Benson Stanley, Peter Saili and Daniel Ramsay all got the job done, 40-21, over Agen.
Paul Williams, at 34, in the twilight of his long career, was at No 12 as Stade Francais beat Russian club Krasny Yar 39-24. Ziggy Fisi’ihoi scored a try off the bench for the Parisians, while Tony Ensor also came off the pine.
There were, unusually, no New Zealanders involved in the Dragons’ 15-0 victory over Enisei.
Hika Elliot’s try was insufficient as Oyonnax fell 35-14 to Worcester. Denny Solomona’s Sale blanked Cardiff Blues 24-0. Rey Lee-Lo, Gareth Anscombe and Nick Williams played for the Blues.
Gloucester’s Kiwi quartet of John Afoa, Josh Hohneck, Jeremy Thrush and Willi Heinz helped the West Country club to a 33-26 win at Zebre.
Phil Burleigh, newly capped by Scotland, scored a brace for Edinburgh in its 50-20 win over London Irish. Mike Coman scored a try for the Exiles, while former Auckland lock William Lloyd was in the second-row.
Connacht have fielded an Ahki and an Aki in the midfield for the first time. Pita Ahki and Bundee Aki combined, with Tom McCartney off the bench, to help the Irish province to a 38-31 victory at Brive.
Toulouse beat Lyon 30-23 in a dreary Thursday night clash, Carl Axtens, Jarrod Poi and Joe Tekori emerging the victors over Josh Bekhuis, Mike Harris, making his first start of the season, and Rudi Wulf.
Newcastle dispatched Bordeaux-Begles 52-24. The latter had Fa’asiu Fuatai on the wing, with bench support from former Waikato hooker Ole Avei and Ben Volavola, who kicked a goal.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments