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.
https://youtu.be/uYM8AzSakwk?t=9
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
Ben Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
86 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
3 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to comments