Kiwis carving up the north - Six Nations special
There were contrasting Six Nations fortunes for those Kiwis or with Kiwi blood.
Bundee Aki was again good value for Ireland, scoring a try in the 37-23 win over Wales. Gareth Anscombe entered the fray at 63 minutes for Wales, but threw the final intercept pass for Jacob Stockdale to score.
Dylan Hartley did his core tasks well in his 92nd test cap for England, while Nathan Hughes and Ben Te’o saw far less action in the 25-13 defeat by Scotland in the Calcutta Cup, Sean Maitland played well and scored a decent try on the left wing for the Scots.
Dean Budd started for Italy in the 34-17 loss to France, while Jayden Hayward made a strong impact off the bench, his searing break setting up Matteo Minozzi for a consolation try to the Azzurri.
Toulouse is one of the great clubs of Europe. Nineteen-time champions of France and crowned best in Europe on four occasions, Toulouse has known lean times of late, and could not even make it out of this season’s European Challenge Cup pool stages.
But the 45-28 victory over Brive last weekend has raised the south-west club to third on the French Top 14 log, from where it should reach the playoffs with eight rounds to run. There is help in the form of a few Kiwis: Charlie Faumuina, Carl Axtens, Joe Tekori, and replacement Jarrod Poi.
Elsewhere, Montpellier remains top after a tight 11-10 win over Bordeaux-Begles. Aaron Cruden, Nemani Nadolo and Jarrad Hoeata all played for the victors, while the speedy Ed Fidow scored a brace for the defeated side. Simon Hickey, Fa’asiu Fuatai and Ben Volavola also featured.
Tom Murday scored a try that proved crucial for Agen in the 36-34 win at Stade Francais, for whom Tony Ensor scored a try, while Paul Williams came off the bench.
Clermont’s struggles continued, losing 12-18 at home to Oyonnax. Luke McAlister kicked a goal for Les Jaunards, while Fritz Lee was at No 8. Ben Botica landed two goals for Oyonnax, while Quentin MacDonald and Hika Elliot also turned out.
Ma’a Nonu scored a try for Toulon in the 27-20 away win against La Rochelle. Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored a try for the latter, while Uini Atonio, Jason Eaton, Victor Vito and Hikairo Forbes all appeared.
No less than 11 players with New Zealand connections played in Pau’s 24-15 victory over Racing-Metro.
Colin Slade, at first five, kicked five goals for Pau. His teammates included Tom Taylor, Daniel Ramsay, Jamie Mackintosh and Conrad Smith. The Parisians fielded Anthony Tuitavake, Joe Rokocoko, Ole Avei, Census Johnston and Ben Tameifuna. Dan Carter kicked a conversion.
David Smith and Alex Tulou enjoyed a 33-22 win over Lyon, for whom Toby Arnold scored a double and Taiasina Tuifua a single. Mike Harris kicked three goals, while Toa Halafihi started at openside flanker.
In the Guinness PRO14, Rey Lee-Lo’s Cardiff Blues edged James Tucker’s Zebre 10-7. Ma’afu Fia and Kieron Fonotia had a tight 27-26 win for Ospreys against the Cheetahs. Rodney Ah You’s Ulster crashed 34-10 to Scarlets.
Connacht, with Tom McCartney and Dominic Robertson-McCoy in the front-row, won 22-19 at Treviso. Monty Ioane scored a try for the Italians, while Marty Banks kicked two goals. Whetu Douglas, Nasi Manu and Hame Faiva all turned out too.
Jordan Lay and John Hardie played for Edinburgh in the 25-12 win over the Dragons. Tyler Bleyendaal’s four goals were key for Munster in the 21-10 victory over Siua Halanukonuka’s Glasgow. Rhys Marshall came off the bench for Munster.
James Lowe scored a try and Isa Nacewa wore the No 12 jersey in Leinster’s 64-7 crushing of the Southern Kings.
In the Aviva Premiership, Exeter Chiefs fans know they will miss Thomas Waldrom when he heads home in June. His 81st minute try helped the Chiefs to a last gasp 31-30 win over Northampton. Piers Francis kicked five goals for the Saints, while others to feature were Nafi Tuitavake, Ahsee Tuala and Teimana Harrison, who was binned.
Newcastle are working their way up the ladder with a 28-10 victory at Harlequins. Sinoti Sinoti was again in the tries, while Nili Latu copped a yellow card. Tane Takalua entered the fray off the pine. Alofa Alofa (also yellow carded) and Jono Kitto played for Quins.
Gloucester and Wasps fought to a 25-25 stalemate. Jimmy Gopperth kicked four goals for Wasps, including the last second conversion to tie it all up. Motu Matu’u, John Afoa, Josh Hohneck and Jason Woodward all turned out for the home team.
Fullback James Wilson effectively won the game for Bath with his seven goals for 18 points in the 33-23 win over Sale. Bath also fielded Kahn Fotuali’i and Jack Wilson. Denny Solomona scored a brace for the Sharks.
London Irish, with Filo Paulo, Ben Franks and James Marshall in the mix, won a vital 22-9 win over Bryce Heem’s Worcester, but it may not be enough to stave off relegation.
Telusa Veainu scored an important try as Leicester upset Saracens 28-20. In the trenches for the Tigers were Brendon O’Connor, Mike FitzGerald and Logovi’i Mulipola.
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments