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Kiwis in Europe: New Zealand's PRO14 influence evident
The Guinness PRO14 season is underway, and already the heavy New Zealand influence is evident.
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Former Blues and Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park helped spark Leinster to life as the defending champs railed from a 29-14 deficit to edge Cardiff Blues 33-32 in the Welsh capital.
Prop Michael Bent started for Leinster, who are starting rugby life without the talismanic Isa Nacewa, now back in New Zealand and doing some TV work.
Former Counties Manukau Steelers midfielder Rey Lee-Lo scored a brace for Cardiff, whose numbers also featured Willis Halaholo and Nick Williams.
New Edinburgh signing and former Auckland captain Simon Hickey slotted two penalty goals for his new employers – while Kilted Kiwi Simon Berghan packed down at tighthead prop – but it was not sufficient as Ospreys won 17-13 at home.
No 8 Jim Tuivaiti scored a try as Zebre defeated the Southern Kings 32-16. Brandon Nansen’s Dragons went down 17-21 at home to a Treviso unit that included Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane, Hame Faiva, captain Dean Budd and former King Country and Waikato wing Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara.
Sean Reidy’s Ulster edged Scarlets 15-13. Kieron Fonotia, transferred from Ospreys, and former Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thomson appeared for Wayne Pivac’s charges.
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Rhys Marshall’s Munster blanked the Cheetahs 38-0, while Callum Gibbins wore the No 7 jersey in Glasgow’s narrow 27-26 win over Connacht.
The newly renamed Gallagher Premiership in England saw Exeter Chiefs flex their muscle to the tune of 40-6 over the Leicester Tigers who fielded Telusa Veainu, Mike FitzGerald and Brendon O’Connor.
Harlequins, with no Kiwis in the ranks, despite their association with New Zealand Rugby, hammered Sale Sharks 51-23. Denny Solomona and Bryn Evans turned out for the Sharks.
Nathan Hughes’ Wasps edged Bryce Heem’s Worcester 21-20.
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Jason Woodward and Josh Hohneck enjoyed Gloucester’s 27-16 win over Northampton in the Saints’ first proper game under new coach Chris Boyd. Piers Francis scored a try for the Saints, who also fielded Ahsee Tuala, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Franks, Teimana Harrison, Dylan Hartley and Ken Pisi.
Pat Lam made a winning start to his Premership coaching tenure with newly promoted Bristol Bears, beating Bath 17-10 at Ashton Gate.
Alapati Leiua scored a key try for the victors, who weathered a yellow card to No 12 Tusi Pisi. Others of New Zealand origin included John Afoa, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Joe Latta and Jack Lam. Bath fielded Jackson Willison, transferred from Worcester, and replacement Anthony Perenise.
Sean Maitland’s Saracens opened their Premiership defence with a 32-21 win at Newcastle. Tane Takalua, Logovi’i Mulipola and Tevita Cavubati appeared for the Falcons.
There were again some topsy-turvy results in the French Top 14. Isaia Toeava, Loni Uhila and Fritz Lee all tasted victory in Paris as Clermont beat Racing-Metro 40-17. Turning out for the latter were Ole Avei, Ben Tameifuna, Ben Volavola and Joe Rokocoko.
A try to Sam Vaka helped Agen defeat Perpignan 25-23. Alongside him was Tom Murday. Shan Eru and former Wellington No 8 Genesis Mamea played for the Catalans.
Joe Tekori scored a decisive try as Toulouse beat Grenoble 23-20. Jerome Kaino was again at No 8 while Charlie Faumuina came off the bench.
Both Lolagi Visinia and Alaska Taufa received yellow cards for Grenoble, while Leva Fifita and Halani Aulika also featured.
Defending champs Castres, with David Smith and Alex Tulou in the ranks, beat Lyon 19-16, who had Charlie Ngatai, Rudi Wulf and Toby Arnold at 12-13-14.
Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Victor Vito, Hikairo Forbes and Uini Atonio were all on the wrong end of a 36-14 reverse for La Rochelle at Montpellier.
Ziggy Fisi’ihoi’s Stade Francais defeated Luke Braid’s Bordeaux-Begles 20-8, while George Tilsley came off the pine for the latter.
Four penalty goals to Colin Slade and one to Tom Taylor helped Pau to a 20-10 home win over Toulon. Benson Stanley, who turns 34 next week, started at No 13 for Pau.
Liam Messam, in the No 7 jersey, and Julian Savea made their Toulon debuts, having gained a taste of the pre-game show at Mayol last weekend. Malakai Fekitoa was on the left wing.
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Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
2 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… 😉😂
2 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.
24 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.
24 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 commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to comments