Kiwis carving up the north - Tigers missing Veainu
Despite the efforts of forwards Mike FitzGerald, Valentino Mapapalangi and Logovi’i Mulipola, the Leicester Tigers have fallen 25-16 to Munster in round four, pool four European Champions Cup play.
Munster was missing former Chiefs and Taranaki hooker Rhys Marshall, but Leicester, two-time champs, may have missed fullback Telusa Veainu more, after the former Canterbury wing, who has been great value for the Midlands club, broke his jaw last weekend. The rare home defeat at Welford Road leaves the Tigers on the cusp of elimination and was their first loss at home to the Irish province since 2006.
Charles Piutau, who never seems to turn in a bad game, scored a try as Ulster hammered Harlequins 52-24. The English club fielded Winston Stanley, Alofa Alofa and Mat Luamanu.
Ospreys, with Kieron Fonotia at centre, did a 32-15 number on Northampton Saints, whose line-up included Ahsee Tuala, Piers Francis, Michael Paterson, Teimana Harrison and Ken Pisi.
Isaia Toeava wore the No 10 jersey, where he debuted for Auckland way back in 2005, in Clermont’s 24-21 victory over Saracens. Fritz Lee was at No 8. Sean Maitland was on the wing for Sarries.
Jimmy Gopperth’s Wasps turned the tables on La Rochelle to the tune of 21-3. Gopperth was at second five and did not take the goalkicks. The French club’s Kiwi contingent included Rene Ranger, Uini Atonio, Hikairo Forbes, with Victor Vito off the pine.
Ma’a Nonu set up a try with a surging run and Alby Mathewson scored himself, but Toulon fell 26-21 to Bath, who started Paul Grant at No 8 and Jack Wilson and Kahn Fotuali’i off the bench.
Isa Nacewa kicked 17 points, operating off the tee in place of Johnny Sexton, as Leinster beat Thomas Waldrom’s Exeter Chiefs 22-17.
Anthony Tuitavake, now 35, was in the No 12 jersey as his Racing-Metro beat Castres 29-7. Former Wellington and Taranaki loose forward Alex Tulou was at No 8 for the latter.
A Johnny McNicholl try helped Scarlets to a 31-12 result at Treviso, despite an early double to wing Monty Ioane. Other Kiwis starting for Treviso were Dean Budd, Nasi Manu and Jayden Hayward.
Montpellier’s 36-26 win over Glasgow came at a cost, Aaron Cruden departing with a worrying knee injury. Dave Rennie’s Glasgow fielded Samuela Vunisa and replacement Siua Halanukonuka.
In Challenge Cup action, three Gareth Anscombe goals helped his Cardiff Blues to a tight 14-6 win over Sale Sharks. Toby Arnold, Josh Bekhuis and Mike Harris were victorious, 21-11, in Lyon’s clash with Toulouse. Charlie Faumuina and Carl Axtens were subs for Toulouse, while Paul Perez and Jarrod Poi combined in the midfield.
Hika Elliot’s Oyonnax beat Worcester 27-20, while Pau – featuring Benson Stanley, Jamie Mackintosh and Peter Saili – defeated Agen 26-12.
Gloucester’s strong form continued, shutting out Zebre 69-12, hooker Motu Matu’u crossing for a try.
Bundee Aki, Pita Ahki, Tom McCartney and coach Kieran Keane all tasted victory in Connacht’s 55-10 scoreline against Brive.
A late Tony Ensor try carried Stade Francais to a 26-20 win at Will Lloyd’s London Irish. Paul Williams and Ziggy Fisi’ihoi also started for the Parisians.
Ben Volavola’s three goals helped Bordeaux-Begles to a 36-27 win over Russian club Enisei.
The big three domestic competitions resume over the Christmas period.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four 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.
1 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 commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments