1
Kiwis carving up the north - Warriors on the warpath
The Glasgow Warriors, coached by Dave Rennie, continue on their merry way.
ADVERTISEMENT
They are now 9-0 for the season and clear leaders of Conference A in the Guinness PRO14.
On the weekend, they cleaned out Ospreys to the tune of 47-6, with former All Blacks wing Lelia Masaga, former Taranaki No 8 Samuela Vunisa, former Hurricanes and Manawatu No 7 and Highlanders and Ikale Tahi prop Siua Halanukonuka, all in the mix. Former Manawatu and New Zealand Under 20s prop Ma’afu Fia was a replacement for Ospreys.
Rhys Marshall’s Munster defeated Zebre 36-19. Waikato lock James Tucker turned out for the Italians.
Johnny McNicholl was at fullback as Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets stayed top of Conference B with a 34-30 away win against the Southern Kings of South Africa.
Gareth Anscombe contributed a crucial four goals off the bench as Cardiff Blues edged Connacht 36-30. No 8 Nick Williams copped a yellow card, while Willis Halaholo was in the midfield. Connacht fielded flanker Jake Heenan and former Blues, Hurricanes, North Harbour, Waikato and All Blacks Sevens rep Pita Ahki.
Isa Nacewa shows few signs of age, the 35-year-old running in a double as Leinster dispatched Dragons 54-10. Former Taranaki reps Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent both started for the Irish province.
Charlie Piutau’s Ulster beat a Treviso side, 23-22, which included Whetu Douglas and Nasi Manu in the loose forwards, while Marty Banks, off the pine, landed a late penalty goal.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the French Top 14, La Rochelle beat Pau 44-14 in a clash which featured no less than nine former All Blacks.
For the victors, Rene Ranger, Victor Vito and Jason Eaton all started, Vito scoring a try and Eaton incurring a yellow card. Former Wesley College and France prop Uini Atonio was at tighthead, while former Waikato hooker Hikairo Forbes was used off the bench.
Pau used an extraordinary six All Blacks – Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Tom Taylor, Jamie Mackintosh, Benson Stanley and Frank Halai. The odd one out was No 8 Peter Saili. Slade kicked a goal, while Taylor slotted two goals.
George Tilsley’s Agen defeated Tony Ensor’s Stade Francais 29-13.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bordeaux-Begles’ New Zealand wings Ed Fidow and Fa’asiu Fuatai appeared in their club’s 27-all draw with Brive.
The Toulouse trio of Charlie Faumuina, Joe Tekori and Carl Axtens helped their club to a 17-9 win at Lyon, who included Toby Arnold (sinbinned), Rudi Wulf and Mike Harris.
Racing-Metro, with Joe Rokocoko, Ben Tameifuna and So’otala Fa’aso’o, blanked Montpellier 26-0.
David Smith’s Castres beat his old club Toulon 20-19. The midfield pairing of Malakai Fekitoa and Ma’a Nonu both scored tries for the vanquished.
A New Zealand-laden Oyonnax drew 32-32 with Clermont, who fielded Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister and Fritz Lee. Oyonnax started Ben Botica, who kicked two goals, Hika Elliot, Rory Grice and Hoani Tui, while Quentin MacDonald, Vili Ma’afu and Roimata Hansell-Pune all entered the fray from the bench.
Todd Blackadder’s Bath are travelling well in England’s Aviva Premiership and put paid to Harlequins 38-14 on the weekend. Former Otago No 8 Paul Grant scored a try, while the two outside back Wilsons, Jack and James, started, as did Samoa duo Anthony Perenise and Kahn Fotuali’i.
Michael Paterson’s was one of three yellow cards against Northampton in the 18-15 defeat by Bryn Evans’ Sale Sharks.
The resurgence of Worcester Warriors, club of Bryce Heem and Jackson Willison, continues with a 31-27 win at Leicester, for whom former Chiefs lock Mike FitzGerald copped a yellow, while Telusa Veainu, Brendon O’Connor and Valentino Mapapalangi also started for the Tigers.
Jeremy Thrush scored a try for Gloucester in the 29-7 victory over Nili Latu’s Newcastle. Willi Heinz, Josh Hohneck and John Afoa also appeared for Gloucester.
Reigning Premiership player of the year Jimmy Gopperth kicked a goal for Wasps in the 17-13 win over London Irish, whose Kiwi contingent was James Marshall, Ben Franks, Filo Paulo and Mike Coman.
Comments on RugbyPass
Says much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
2 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
23 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
10 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
78 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
23 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
10 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
2 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to commentsFirst of all. This guy is very much behind the curve. All the bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning took place days ago already. Not adding anything to the topic other than more bleating, whingeing, whining and moaning. 🍼 Second of all, not one mention of the fact that South African teams can’t get home semi finals or finals. The tournament was undermined and devalued by the administrators. 🤡 Thirdly, football teams often have to juggle selections in mid week games, premier games, champions league games etc. and will from time to time prioritize certain titles over others. 🐒 And lastly FEK Neil, and anyone else for that matter, for insisting on telling teams how to manage themselves. If they make what is largely a business decision that suits them and doesn’t suit you - tough shite. 💩 It’s not rocket science as to why the Bulls did what they did. If this guy is too slow to figure it out (and is deliberately not mentioning one of the key reasons why) then he isn’t a journalist. He should join the rest of us pundit plebs in comments section. 🥴
23 Go to commentsSo the first door to knock on Rob is Parliament followed by HMRC. The Irish Revenue deliver a 40% tax relief rebate on the HIGHEST EARNING TEN YEARS of every pro Irish rugby players contract earnings at retirement. That goes a long way to both retaining their best talent and freeing up wages for marquee players. Who knows, if that had been in place in the UK, you might not have been able to poach Hoggy and Jonny Gray from Glasgow…!!!
3 Go to comments