Kiwis in Europe: Dan Carter still chasing silverware

Dan Carter is not finished in his quest for silverware.

The 36-year-old All Blacks great came off the bench for Racing-Metro in the French club’s 27-22 defeat of Munster in this morning’s European Champions Cup semifinal in Bordeaux.

Carter is in the last throes of his career in France before he takes up a two-year deal with Japanese club Kobe Steelers, joining his old Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks mate Andy Ellis. Former Springbok Pat Lambie started in the Racing No 10 jersey.

Strangely, given the clutch of Kiwis at Racing-Metro, wing Joe Rokocoko, off the pine, was the only other New Zealander who featured for the Parisian club.

Former Chiefs hooker Rhys Marshall scored a late try for Munster, to no avail.

Racing-Metro will face one of the great teams of European rugby, Leinster, in the May 12 final in Bilbao. Carter will also face a player almost as old and just as seasoned as him, Leinster left wing Isa Nacewa, who turns 36 in July. The former Fiji international started, along with halfback Jamison Gibson-Park, as the Irish province cleaned out Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets 38-16 in the other semifinal. Hadleigh Parkes was at second five for Scarlets.

The May 11 Challenge Cup final in Bilbao will feature Gloucester and Cardiff Blues.

Gloucester decisively outpointed Newcastle 33-12 in the first semifinal. Tom Marshall and Motu Matu’u’s scored tries, while Jason Woodward set up Marshall’s score. Props John Afoa and Josh Hohneck both featured off the bench. Gloucester is into its third Challenge Cup final in four seasons.

Cardiff beat Pau 16-10, helped by a try to Gareth Anscombe. Alongside him were Rey Lee-Lo, Willis Halaholo and Nick Williams. Conrad Smith scored Pau’s try, while Tom Taylor slotted two goals. Frank Halai and Daniel Ramsay also both started.

In Guinness PRO14 catch-up matches, Zebre defeated Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys 37-14, while Charlie Piutau and Sean Reidy were to the fore as Ulster kept its playoffs hopes alive with a 36-15 win over Dave Rennie’s Glasgow Warriors. Piutau ran for 109m, while former Patumahoe and Steelers flanker Sean Reidy scored a try. Callum Gibbins scored a try for the Warriors, while wing Lelia Masaga and prop Siua Halanukonuka also featured.

There are two rounds remaining in each of the French Top 14, Aviva Premiership and Guinness PRO14 and New Zealanders are sure to have a big impact on the fortunes of sides still gunning for silverware.

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