Kiwis in Europe: Fekitoa bags Toulon double
The southern French life seems to be agreeing with Malakai Fekitoa.
The 25-year-old former All Black, whose replacement at the Highlanders, Rob Thompson, is making a good fist of that No 13 jersey, scored two tries in Toulon’s 49-0 French Top 14 shutout of Clermont this morning.
Fekitoa, who arrived in November at Stade Mayol after an inconsistent Mitre 10 Cup campaign with Auckland, is battling for a midfield berth with Ma’a Nonu and Mathieu Bastareaud at Toulon, now lying fourth on the Top 14 log. Former All Blacks halfback Alby Mathewson came off the bench for the victors. Clermont fielded Luke McAlister, at first five, Isaia Toeava and Loni Uhila.
Toulon travel to Limerick to face Munster in this weekend’s crunch European Champions Cup quarter-final.
Nemani Nadolo’s Montpellier crushed Castres 45-7. Alex Tulou and the yellow-carded Maama Vaipulu played for the latter.
Dominiko Waqaniburotu’s Brive edged Agen 15-12.
Toulouse, with Charlie Faumuina and Joe Tekori off the bench, won 37-33 at Stade Francais.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored a try for La Rochelle in the 31-20 win over Bordeaux-Begles. Kerr-Barlow’s teammates included Uini Atonio and Hikairo Forbes. Ed Fidow and Simon Hickey appeared for the Bordeaux club.
Four conversions to Tom Taylor helped Pau to a 33-12 victory over Oyonnax. Conrad Smith, who last week announced he was soon to retire from all rugby, was at centre, while Daniel Ramsay and Jamie Mackintosh were in the Pau pack.
Roimata Hansell-Pune, Quentin MacDonald, Hika Elliot and Rory Grice all played for Oyonnax.
Racing-Metro beat Lyon 24-22, despite yellow cards to Census Johnston and Ben Tameifuna. Anthony Tuitavake and Ole Avei also featured.
In the Guinness PRO14, Ospreys, for whom Kieron Fonotia and Ma’afu Fia appeared, beat Leinster 32-18. Michael Bent and Jamison Gibson-Park both entered the fray off the bench for Leinster.
Rhys Marshall’s Munster defeated Scarlets 19-7.
Charlie Piutau’s Ulster fell 35-17 to Cardiff Blues, for whom Nick Williams, Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo all started.
Marty Banks was in prime form at No 10 for Treviso, who edged the Southern Kings 36-35 in the Republic. He scored a try and kicked five goals for 16 points. Alongside him were Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane, Hame Faiva, Nasi Manu and Michael Tagicakibau.
Connacht, with Tom McCartney and Dominic Robertson-McCoy in the ranks, fell 29-22 to Edinburgh, who fielded Simon Berghan, John Hardie, Jordan Lay and Phil Burleigh.
Former All Blacks wing Lelia Masaga and Callum Gibbins scored tries in Glasgow’s 68-7 win over James Tucker’s Zebre. Siua Halanukonuka came off the bench for Dave Rennie’s team.
In the Aviva Premiership, a late Paul Grant try, from a Taulupe Faletau thrust and offload, appeared to have given Bath a late home victory over Exeter Chiefs. But a late penalty goal to the visitors saw them steal the points at 20-18. Kahn Fotuali’i and James Wilson were at Nos 9 and 12 respectively for Todd Blackadder’s men.
Sinoti Sinoti and Nili Latu played in Newcastle’s 25-22 win over Northampton, a victory that moves the Falcons further up the table and has them thinking about the glory days of 1997-98 when Pat Lam was roaming free. Nafi Tuitavake scored a try for Saints, while Piers Francis and Ahsee Tuala were also in the backline.
Three goals to James Marshall were not enough to prevent his London Irish going down 33-29 to Gloucester. Asaeli Tikoirotuma and Ben Franks also featured for the Exiles.
Tom Marshall’s two tries for Gloucester ensured he got one-up on his brother. With him were Jason Woodward, Willi Heinz, Josh Hohneck, John Afoa, Motu Matu’u and Jeremy Thrush.
Denny Solomona scored a try for Sale in the 58-25 hiding dished out to Worcester. Bryn Evans was at lock for the Sharks. Jackson Willison scored a double for the Warriors. Outside him were Ben Te’o, back from Six Nations duty, and Bryce Heem.
Blair Cowan and Sean Maitland turned out for Saracens in their 24-11 win over Harlequins. Alofa Alofa, Mat Luamanu and Francis Saili played for the latter.
Leicester moved up to fifth position after a narrow 16-15 victory over Wasps, for whom Jimmy Gopperth kicked a penalty goal. Telusa Veainu copped a yellow card for the Tigers, while Mike FitzGerald, Valentino Mapapalangi and Logovi’i Mulipola also appeared.
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
3 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,
11 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.
11 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.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
3 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 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.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments