Kiwis in Europe - Tries aplenty for Kiwis in Europe
Tries by New Zealanders are flowing in Europe.
No less than 15 by Kiwis were scored over the weekend’s final pool round of European Champions and Challenge Cups action. Nine came in the Champions Cup alone.
Hooker Rhys Marshall was amongst the five-pointers for Munster in its 48-3 hiding of Castres, who started David Smith and Alex Tulou.
Brendon O’Connor’s try was not quite enough for Leicester, who went down 20-23 at home to Racing-Metro in a match notable for the long-awaited return from injury of Dan Carter, via the bench. Joe Rokocoko and Ben Tameifuna were among his teammates. For the Tigers, Logovi’i Mulipola, Mike FitzGerald and Valentino Mapapalangi also came off the bench.
Former Steelers and Patumahoe flanker Sean Reidy scored Ulster’s sole try in the 26-7 defeat to Wasps. Rodney Ah You and Charlie Piutau also took the field for the Ulstermen.
The Kiwi quintet of Rene Ranger, Victor Vito, Jason Eaton, Uini Atonio and Tawera Kerr-Barlow tasted 16-7 victory over the Harlequins of Alofa Alofa and Mat Luamanu.
Hadleigh Parkes’ early try was key in Scarlets’ 30-27 win over Toulon, for whom Ma’a Nonu and Alby Mathewson featured.
A late try to Monty Ioane was not nearly enough for Treviso, who fell 28-47 at home to Bath. Dean Budd, Whetu Douglas and Hame Faiva lined up alongside Ioane. Kahn Fotuali’i, Paul Grant and James Wilson turned out for Bath, as did No 8 Zach Mercer, who scored a try. The latter, the 2017 England Under 20s skipper and son of former Kiwis league rep Gary Mercer, is in Eddie Jones’ England squad and could even make his debut within a fortnight.
Sean Maitland scored a try in Saracens’ 62-14 shellacking of Northampton. Nafi Tuitavake scored for the Saints. His teammates included Ken Pisi, Dylan Hartley and Michael Paterson.
A late Luke McAlister try sealed Clermont’s quarter-final berth with a 24-7 victory over Ospreys. Fritz Lee and Isaia Toeava also started for Les Jaunards. Ma’afu Fia and Kieron Fonotia were replacements for the Welsh region.
Siua Halanukonuka’s Glasgow edged Exeter 28-21, though neither side have qualified for the quarters.
Isa Nacewa showed his versatility, wearing the No 12 jersey as he helped Leinster to a 23-14 win at Montpellier. Jamison Gibson-Park (9) and James Lowe (11) also turned out against Aaron Cruden, who kicked two goals.
In the Challenge Cup, Bundee Aki was one of Connacht’s tryscorers in the 50-14 crushing of Oyonnax. Dominic Robertson-McCoy and Naulia Dawai also featured.
For the vanquished, Roimata Hansell-Pune copped a yellow, while Quentin MacDonald was the starting hooker.
Fa’asiu Fuatai scored a try and Ben Volavola kicked two goals for Bordeaux-Begles in the 33-17 loss to Dragons. Dominiko Waqaniburotu scored a try for Brive, who dispatched Jackson Willison’s Worcester 33-7. William Lloyd’s London Irish won 24-17 at Krasny Yar. Former Wallaby, the New Zealand-born Richard Kingi, was at fullback for Enisei in the Russian club’s 19-33 defeat to Newcastle.
Frank Halai and Daniel Ramsay each scored tries in Pau’s 34-24 defeat of Gloucester. Colin Slade kicked six goals for Pau, who are coached by Simon Mannix and Carl Hayman. Conrad Smith and Peter Saili also took the field. Jeremy Thrush scored a try for the Cherry and Whites, alongside Jason Woodward, Motu Matu’u, Josh Hohneck and John Afoa.
Paul Williams and Tony Ensor enjoyed a 17-10 victory over Edinburgh, while the Cardiff Blues, featuring Gareth Anscombe and Rey Lee-Lo, beat Lyon 21-18. Taiasina Tuifua and Josh Bekhuis turned out for France’s gastronomic capital.
Toulouse, with Jarrod Poi, Paul Perez, Carl Axtens and Joe Tekori in the mix, beat Halani Aulika’s Sale 28-21.
The European quarter-finals will play out on the weekend of March 29-April 1.
This weekend sees round three of Anglo-Welsh Cup play and the resumption of the French Top 14.
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments