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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou 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?
44 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.
12 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
12 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.
12 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
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