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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Jacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 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.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
5 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 commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
5 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
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