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
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments