Kiwis carving up the North - Total: 86
Former All Blacks supplied all the points for Pau as the south-western French club edged Clermont 22-21 in Top 14 action over the Christmas period.
Second five Benson Stanley scored Pau’s sole try, while first five Colin Slade kicked a conversion, two penalty goals and a pot. Tom Taylor slotted two penalty goals off the bench. Conrad Smith, now 36, and Daniel Ramsay also featured for Pau.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szakGFT4mjQ
Isaia Toeava, again operating in the No 10 jersey, scored a try for Clermont.
The Stade Francais debut of former North Harbour lock/loose forward Brandon Nansen was not a winning one, as the Parisians, with Tony Ensor and Ziggy Fisi’ihoi alongside him, fell 28-6 to a Castres outfit which included David Smith, Alex Tulou and Maama Vaipulu.
Racing-Metro, with Anthony Tuitavake, Ben Tameifuna and Joe Rokocoko in the mix, beat Toulouse, who fielded Joe Tekori and Charlie Faumuina off the pine, 23-19.
Vern Cotter’s Montpellier, devoid of any Kiwis, went top of the log after dispatching Lyon 38-17. The latter fielded a clutch of Kiwis, or those who have played in New Zealand, including Toby Arnold, Rudi Wulf, Mike Harris, who kicked a goal, Toa Halafihi and Josh Bekhuis, who copped a yellow card. Off the bench came South African-born prop Albertus Buckle, who had a season with Wairarapa-Bush in the 2006 Heartland Championship.
Toulon opened up Oyonnax to the tune of 49-25. Malakai Fekitoa, at second five, did not trouble the scorers, but replacement Ma’a Nonu did score a try, as did Alby Mathewson, who seems to be making a habit of racking up five-pointers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_SjJWoR-sw
For Oyonnax, Ben Botica scored a try and slotted four goals, while Roimata Hansell-Pune, Rory Grice and Quentin MacDonald all featured for the vanquished.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaTswJQ4x_w
Tom Murday and George Tilsley tasted a 27-13 victory with Agen over Brive.
La Rochelle lost its Top 14 lead, going down 29-19 at Bordeaux-Begles. Rene Ranger, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Uini Atonio and Victor Vito will all be chastened by the loss.
In the PRO14, Scarlets scrapped to a 12-9 win over Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys. Johnny McNicholl (14) and Hadleigh Parkes (13) were in the Scarlets’ threequarters.
James Lowe and Jamison Gibson-Park enjoyed a 34-24 away win for Leinster over arch-rivals Munster.
Rey Lee-Lo scored one of Cardiff Blues’ tries in their 22-17 victory over Dragons, while Gareth Anscombe kicked three goals. Nick Williams was at No 8.
https://www.facebook.com/PRO14Official/videos/1938918339469631/
Bundee Aki’s strong form continued, scoring an early try and receiving a standing ovation from his home ground when he departed in Connacht’s 44-16 shellacking of Sean Reidy’s Ulster. Tom McCartney and Naulia Dawai were both used off the bench by Connacht.
Former Blues, NZU and Waikato hooker Hame Faiva, who should have gained a Super Rugby contract, scored a try and a sinbinning in Treviso’s 27-14 win over fellow Italian club Zebre. Lock Dean Budd also saw yellow, while Marty Banks landed two goals from the pivot position. Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane and Whetu Douglas rounded out the big Kiwi contingent at John Kirwan’s old club.
Edinburgh, despite a red card to prop Simon Berghan for dangerous play in the ruck, handed a rare 18-17 defeat to Dave Rennie’s Glasgow Warriors. Phil Burleigh was at No 12 for Edinburgh, while Siua Halanukonuka came off the bench for the Warriors.
In the Aviva Premiership, Worcester, with Bryce Heem and Jackson Willison in the starting XV, beat London Irish 23-8. James Marshall, Filo Paulo, Mike Coman and Asaeli Tikoirotuma all played for the Exiles.
Two penalty goals by Tane Takalua turned out to be crucial for Newcastle, the Falcons, who also fielded Sinoti Sinoti and Nili Latu, winning 11-10 over Harlequins. Former Bay of Plenty halfback Jono Kitto, formerly of Leicester Tigers, started for Quins.
Thomas Waldrom scored a try off the bench as his Exeter Chiefs dispatched Northampton 35-14. Right wing Ahsee Tuala finished off a nice movement for Saints, while Piers Francis slotted two goals.
Bryn Evans’ Sale Sharks did a 32-9 number on Bath, who started Jack Wilson, Kahn Fotuali’i and Paul Grant.
A Kiwi-less Wasps hammered Gloucester 49-24, despite tries to Tom Marshall and Willi Heinz for the cherry and whites.
Sean Maitland’s Saracens beat Mike FitzGerald’s Leicester 29-17.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments