Kiwis in Europe: European glory for former Blues
Isa Nacewa and Gareth Anscombe are the toast of Leinster and Cardiff Blues respectively.
The New Zealanders kicked late clutch penalty goals for their clubs as they clinched European Cup glory on the weekend.
The 35-year-old Nacewa is in the last few days of his long and successful career, and won his fourth European Champions Cup winners’ medal with the Irish province after slotting two late penalty goals as Leinster edged Racing-Metro 15-12 in the decider in Bilbao.
Captaining the side, Nacewa assumed the kicking duties from Jonny Sexton and landed a nerveless, angled penalty in the 74th minute before nailing the rather easier 79th minute three points for the win in a tryless season climax. It was not Nacewa’s best game on the left wing – he put two attacking kicks out on the full as he does not have a left foot – but he was otherwise solid under the high ball and ran for 49m.
The selection of halfback Jamison Gibson-Park and former Wallaby flanker Scott Fardy in the Leinster match-day squad meant there was no room for James Lowe due to the foreign player quota. Gibson-Park had a strong 20-minute cameo with his passing, sniping and box kicking.
Racing-Metro lost Dan Carter to a hamstring strain in the warm-up. Joe Rokocoko made a brief appearance off the bench as an HIA sub, while former Waikato and Manu Samoa hooker Ole Avei and former Taranaki and Manu Samoa prop Census Johnston, now 37, both entered the fray in the second spell for Racing-Metro.
The game itself never reached any great heights, other than the height of the tackles, which referee Wayne Barnes was swift to penalise.
Nacewa was unconcerned, describing the occasion as “a magical day”.
“I wish I could be back to put a fifth star on the shirt… there’s a great crew involved now. We’ve taken a step tonight, so let’s build on that.”
Anscombe’s wide-angled and long range 79th minute penalty goal sealed Cardiff Blues’ remarkable 31-30 win over Gloucester some 24 hours earlier at the same venue in the European Challenge Cup final. The former Auckland, Chiefs and Blues pivot, who was named during the week for Wales’ June tour of the Americas, wore the No 15 jersey but was often operating at first receiver for Cardiff. His skill and centre kick set up halfback Tomos Williams for his try.
No 8 Nick Williams made several telling tackles and carries, while 41-year-old prop Taufa’ao Filise got through 40 minutes of work. The midfield combination of Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo was effective, though the former was guilty of grassing two balls.
Gloucester led at the break and looked dangerous early on the counter-attack, but it was not to be for the New Zealand contingent of fullback Jason Woodward, wing Tom Marshall, props John Afoa and Josh Hohneck, and replacement forwards Motu Matu’u and Jeremy Thrush.
This weekend sees the semifinals of both the Aviva Premiership and the Guinness PRO14 – in which Leinster host Irish rivals Munster – while the French Top 14 moves into ‘les barrages”, the playoffs to go into the semifinals.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments