Kiwis in Europe: Injury blow for Shields
Brad Shields’ Gallagher Premiership debut has ended in a broken cheekbone which now threatens his involvement in the November test series, including a possible match-up with the All Blacks.
The early prognosis is eight weeks out of rugby for the 2018 Hurricanes skipper. The accident occurred in his club’s 31-42 reverse to Exeter Chiefs on the weekend in round two action. Former All Blacks No 10 Lima Sopoaga came off the pine to kick a conversion, while former Auckland No 8 Nathan Hughes scored a try.
Denny Solomona scored a try as Sale Sharks beat Worcester 21-15. Bryn Evans was at lock for the Sharks. Bryce Heem scored a try for the Warriors.
Saracens defeated Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears 44-23, despite a try to Alapati Leiua. The Bears also fielded Siale Piutau, Jordan Lay, Joe Latta, Steven Luatua, Jack Lam and John Afoa.
Leicester was back in winning ways with a 49-33 victory over Newcastle. Brendon O’Connor was in the No 7 jersey for the Tigers, while fullback Telusa Veainu was yellow carded.
Bath and Gloucester fought to a 31-all west country stalemate, Anthony Perenise and Jackson Willison featuring. Jason Woodward and Josh Hohneck appeared for Gloucester.
A Kiwi-laden Northampton Saints beat a Kiwi-less Harlequins 25-18. Dylan Hartley scored a try for Saints, who also included Ahsee Tuala, Ken Pisi, Piers Francis, Teimana Harrison and Ben Franks.
In the French Top 14, Joe Rokocoko had an eventful day as Racing-Metro pounded Tom Murday’s Agen 59-7. He wore the No 12 jersey and copped two yellow cards, which meant a red was shown. The two Bens, Volavola and Tameifuna, also turned out for the Parisians. Charlie Ngatai was at fullback as Lyon edged Perpignan 22-16 in Catalan country. Rudi Wulf and Toby Arnold also played for LOU. Genesis Mamea and Shahn Eru appeared for the vanquished.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGG1wxSpnIo
An early try to Liam Messam, at No 8, helped Toulon to its first win of the season, 28-27 over defending champs Castres. Julian Savea and Malakai Fekitoa also featured for the red and blacks. David Smith and Paea Fa’anunu turned out for Castres.
Four goals by Tom Taylor helped Pau win 24-21 at Grenoble. Alongside Taylor were Ben Stanley, Frank Halai, Jamie Mackintosh and Daniel Ramsay. Grenoble fielded Lolagi Visinia, Alaska Taufa, Halani Aulika, Leva Fifita and Taiasina Tuifua.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gv5N44ShGo
A red card to Tony Ensor did not help Stade Francais’ cause in a 20-42 defeat at Clermont, for whom George Moala marked his debut, on the left wing, with a brace. Isaia Toeava and Loni Uhila also started for Les Jaunards. George Tilsley and his Bordeaux-Begles team drew 9-9 with Montpellier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Gv5N44ShGo
Toulouse, with Charlie Faumuina, Joe Tekori, Jerome Kaino and Pita Ahki in the ranks, beat La Rochelle 33-26. Ihaia West made his debut for the latter, kicking three goals, with Uini Atonio, Victor Vito, Hikairo Forbes and Tawera Kerr-Barlow alongside him.
In the Guinness PRO14, Scarlets edged Leinster 23-21. Nos 14-13-12 for the home side were occupied by Kiwis – Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia, Hadleigh Parkes – with Blade Thomson on the blindside flank. James Lowe scored a try for Leinster, while Jamison Gibson-Park was at halfback.
Dean Budd, Hame Faiva, Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane and Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara all tasted victory in Treviso’s 27-25 win over Cardiff Blues, for whom Gareth Anscombe slotted three goals off the bench, Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo were again in the Blues midfield and Nick Williams was at No 8.
Dominic Robertson-McCoy’s Connacht beat Jimmy Tuivaiti’s Zebre 32-13, and Brandon Nansen’s Dragons defeated the Southern Kings 27-22.
Callum Gibbins scored a try in Glasgow’s 25-10 of Munster, for whom Rhys Marshall also registered a five-pointer.
Sean Reidy’s Ulster had a narrow 30-29 win over Edinburgh, for whom Simon Hickey kicked seven goals.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
39 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
39 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
39 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
50 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
39 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
39 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
39 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
39 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments