Kiwis in Europe: Piutau still gold for Ulster
Charlie Piutau may not be racing in the tries for Ulster but he is eating up the metres from fullback and often giving the last pass for his teammates.
The 26-year-old former All Black celebrated the news that his 2018-19 club, Bristol, has confirmed its Aviva Premiership status next season with a try and an assist in Ulster’s 32-20 Guinness PRO14 victory at Edinburgh over the weekend.
Piutau recorded just his second try of the season – his last came way back in September – but he has racked up over 1000m and is setting up his colleagues.
Bristol has won the English Championship and, under the coaching of Pat Lam, will rejoin the big guns in September with signings such as Steven Luatua and Piutau, the latter set to start a hefty contract at the west country club.
Ulster, coached by former All Black Jono Gibbes, has a game in hand and is still a chance for next month’s PRO14 playoffs.
Sean Reidy and Rodney Ah You both came off the bench for Ulster, while Phil Burleigh and Jordan Lay both started for Edinburgh.
The Cheetahs beat the Cardiff Blues 29-27, with Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo scoring tries for the latter, while Gareth Anscombe slotted two goals.
Hadleigh Parkes’ Scarlets defeated Conference A leaders Glasgow 26-8. The latter, coached by Dave Rennie, fielded Callum Gibbins, Siua Halanukonuka and Lelia Masaga.
Conference B leaders Leinster thrashed Zebre 41-6, James Lowe running in a double, while Jamison Gibson-Park started at halfback.
Kieron Fonotia and Ma’afu Fia enjoyed a 39-10 win over Dominic Robertson-McCoy’s Connacht.
Hooker Rhys Marshall scored a try in Munster’s 39-22 win over the Southern Kings.
A Monty Ioane try helped Treviso to a narrow 29-27 victory over the Dragons. Jayden Hayward, Nasi Manu, Hame Faiva and Marty Banks all featured for the Italian club.
In the French Top 14, Aaron Cruden’s Montpellier club holds a six-point lead with three rounds of the regular season to play, Nemani Nadolo scored a try in the decisive 40-24 win over La Rochelle, for whom Tawera Kerr-Barlow scored again. Hikairo Forbes and Victor Vito also started.
Racing-Metro is second after a key 17-13 win over Toulon. Joe Rokocoko, closing in on 35, started, while Ole Avei, Dan Carter and Ben Tameifuna were all used off the bench. For the visitors, Malakai Fekitoa scored a try and Ma’a Nonu wore the No 21 jersey.
An Alex Tulou try helped Castres to a 28-23 local derby win over Toulouse. Alongside him were David Smith and Maama Vaipulu. Charlie Faumuina and Joe Tekori turned out for Toulouse.
Colin Slade kicked six penalty goals for Pau but it was not enough to edge Bordeaux-Begles, who took a tight contest 19-18. Simon Hickey, Ed Fidow and Ben Volavola turned out for the victors, while Slade’s teammates included Daniel Ramsay, Conrad Smith, Frank Halai, Benson Stanley, Tom Taylor and Jamie Mackintosh.
Mike Harris scored an important try as Lyon edged Brive 27-25. Outside him were Rudi Wulf and Toby Arnold.
Zak Taulafo’s Stade Francais pounded Clermont 50-13. Loni Uhila and Fritz Lee played for the latter.
Tom Murday’s Agen defeated Oyonnax 36-21. Ben Botica scored a try and kicked four goals for Oyonnax, in a desperate battle to avoid relegation. Quentin MacDonald, Hika Elliot and Rory Grice all started in the pack.
In the Aviva Premership, Bryce Heem ran for 121m to help Worcester to a 27-13 win over Newcastle. Ben Te’o and Jackson Willison formed the Warriors’ midfield. Nili Latu and Sinoti Sinoti played for the Falcons.
London Irish is desperate to avoid the drop and crushed Harlequins 35-5 at the Stoop, with Ben Franks, James Marshall and Asaeli Tikoirotuma all enjoying a crucial victory. Francis Saili, Mat Luamanu and Alofa Alofa played for Quins.
Sean Maitland scored a try in Saracens’ 63-13 dismantling of Northampton. It was a dark day for the Saints’ contingent of Ahsee Tuala, Nafi Tuitavake, Piers Francis, Teimana Harrison and Michael Paterson.
Gloucester, with Kiwis Josh Hohneck, John Afoa, Willi Heinz, Tom Marshall, Jeremy Thrush and Motu Matu’u all in the ranks, was crushed 46-10 by the Premiership leaders Exeter Chiefs.
Leicester fullback Telusa Veainu was in sharp form, scoring a try in the Tigers’ 34-19 win at Bath. His teammates included Mike FitzGerald, Valentino Mapapalangi and Logovi’i Mulipola. Bath featured James Wilson, Kahn Fotuali’i and Auckland-born former Warriors NRL player Cooper Vuna.
Bryn Evans scored a try for Sale in the 28-27 win over Jimmy Gopperth’s Wasps. Gopperth landed four goals. Halani Aulika and TJ Ioane were replacements for the Sharks.
Comments on RugbyPass
You doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
43 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 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.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 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.
6 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 comments