Kiwis in Europe - Lowe hits high notes for Leinster
Total Kiwis: 89
James Lowe’s strong form continues following a two-try effort for Leinster in its 20-13 Guinness PRO14 win over Scarlets over the weekend.
The 25-year-old former Chiefs and Makos wing, who debuted in December, ran in a double and set up one other in his sixth outing for the Irish province. Furthermore, he ran 15 times for 112m.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxp1mvi3FmQ
Michael Bent started at tighthead prop for Leinster, while Johnny McNicholl scored a try for Scarlets, who slip to second, behind Leinster, on the Conference B table.
Zebre, with former Chiefs and Waikato lock James Tucker in the engine room, engineered a 19-11 upset at Connacht, whose ranks included Naulia Dawai, Tom McCartney and Pita Ahki.
Nick Williams, Taufa’ao Filise and Rey Lee-Lo were in the winners’ circle as the Cardiff Blues edged Munster 25-18. Rhys Marshall was at hooker for the latter, while Tyler Bleyendaal made his comeback off the bench, kicking a penalty goal.
Treviso scored a fifth straight win, 18-15, over the Dragons. Monty Ioane scored a try and Marty Banks slotted two goals. Hame Faiva and Whetu Douglas were also involved.
Ma’afu Fia and Kieron Fonotia enjoyed a 26-12 win for Ospreys over the Southern Kings. Prop Siua Halanukonuka scored a try for Glasgow in the Warriors’ 37-23 victory over the Cheetahs. John Hardie and Jordan Lay of Edinburgh had a tight 17-16 win over Rodney Ah You’s Ulster.
In the French Top 14, Mike Harris may be the forgotten Wallaby, but the Kiwi-born, former North Harbour and NZ Under 20s pivot was among the points in Lyon’s 36-10 defeat of Clermont. He scored a try and kicked three goals, while Toby Arnold ran in a try on the wing. Rudi Wulf and Taiasina Tuifua were among their teammates. Fritz Lee and Luke McAlister, at second five, appeared for Clermont.
David Smith and Alex Tulou and their Castres’ teammates had a narrow 7-6 win at Bordeaux-Begles, for whom Simon Hickey returned to the starting XV, though he did not kick goals. Fa’asiu Fuatai was on the wing.
Dan Carter slotted two conversions in Racing-Metro’s 19-12 win over La Rochelle. Alongside him were the likes of Anthony Tuitavake, Ben Tameifuna, Ole Avei and Joe Rokocoko. La Rochelle had Hikairo Forbes, Jason Eaton, Uini Atonio and Tawera Kerr-Barlow in their ranks.
https://youtu.be/JatSpQQdSFA?t=18
Joe Tekori scored a try for Toulouse, which won 52-25 in its local derby against Agen. Charlie Faumuina and Carl Axtens joined him in the pack. Tom Murday scored a try for Agen, who had George Tilsley on the wing.
Tom Taylor kicked four goals for Pau, just back from the Brisbane Global Tens, in its 21-16 win at Brive. Colin Slade (15), Frank Halai, Jamie Mackintosh and Daniel Ramsay all saw action.
Malakai Fekitoa and Alby Mathewson played for Toulon in its 43-5 defeat of Stade Francais. Jarrad Hoeata’s Montpellier beat last-placed Oyonnax 43-30. Ben Botica kicked six goals for the eastern French club, while Quentin MacDonald and Hoani Tui were in the pack. Hika Elliot packed down at blindside flanker, having last played there in 2014 for Poverty Bay in the Heartland Championship on his way back from a neck injury.
In the Aviva Premiership, Thomas Waldrom, freshly signed by the Wellington Lions for the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup, was on the receiving end of Exeter’s 13-7 reverse to Wasps, for whom Jimmy Gopperth kicked two goals.
Saracens defeated Sale Sharks, who included Halani Aulika and Denny Solomona, 13-3.
Worcester’s resurgence, with Bryce Heem and Jackson Willison in jerseys 13 and 14, continues with a 25-15 victory over Gloucester, who fielded Motu Matu’u, John Afoa, Tom Marshall, Jason Woodward and Josh Hohneck.
A Sinoti Sinoti try helped Newcastle to a 29-12 defeat of Bath. The Falcons had Nili Latu in the pack and Tane Takalua off the bench. Former Manu Samoa prop Anthony Perenise scored a try for the vanquished, while James Wilson, Kahn Fotuali’i and Paul Grant also turned out for Bath.
Three goals off the tee and a dropped goal by Piers Francis were decisive in Northampton’s 25-17 win over London Irish. Teimana Harrison and Ahsee Tuala were alongside him. For the Exiles, James Marshall, Ben Franks, Filo Paulo and Asaeli Tikoirotuma all played.
Leicester’s Kiwi quartet of Telusa Veainu, Brendon O’Connor, Mike FitzGerald and Logovi’i Mulipola helped the Tigers to a 33-18 win over Harlequins, for whom Alofa Alofa scored a try from the wing, while Jono Kitto was in the No. 9 jersey.
Comments on RugbyPass
Oh wow… “But as La Rochelle proved in winning in Cape Town this season, a cross-continental away assignment need not spell the end of days.” La Rochelle actually proved quite the opposite. After traveling to Cape town and back they (back-to-back and current champs) got mercilessly thumped the next week. If travel is not the reason, why else would a full-strength powerhouse like La Rochelle get dumped on their @r$e$ one week later?
26 Go to commentsYou know he can land a winning conversion after the full time siren is up. (Even if it takes two attempts.)
5 Go to commentsA very insightful article from Jake. I would love to know how South African’s feel about their move to Europe. Do you prefer playing in Europe or want to go back to Super Rugby?
2 Go to commentspure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
2 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
26 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
26 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to comments