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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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.
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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
Yet, according to Jake White and other twonks who think better, Jenkins shouldn’t be picked by the boks. Daft.
3 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments