Kiwis in Europe: James Lowe flowering at Leinster
James Lowe’s talents seem to be flowering at Leinster.
The 26-year-old former Chiefs and Maori All Blacks wing scored two key tries in Leinster’s 30-22 Guinness PRO14 defeat of arch-rivals Munster on the weekend. That gives Lowe four tries from four outings this season and 14 from 17 appearances in all since he joined the Irish province late last year.
His second try saw an acrobatic finish and was set up by another transplanted Kiwi, former Blues and Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park. Michael Bent was at tighthead prop for the victors.
Another Kiwi No 9, former All Black Alby Mathewson, scored a try for Munster.
Jayden Hayward, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara and Monty Ioane all enjoyed Treviso’s 28-5 victory over the Southern Kings.
Brandon Nansen’s Dragons were on the receiving end of a 23-15 loss to Cardiff Blues, for whom Gareth Anscombe kicked three goals. Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo again teamed up in the Blues’ midfield, while Nick Williams was at No 8.
Bundee Aki scored a late, decisive try as Connacht beat Sean Reidy’s Ulster 22-15. Tom McCartney was at hooker for Connacht.
Johnny McNicholl was among the tryscorers as his Scarlets edged Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys 20-17. Kieron Fonotia, Hadleigh Parkes and Blade Thomson also featured for Wayne Pivac’s team.
Jim Tuivaiti’s Zebre fell 36-8 to the Glasgow Warriors.
Simon Hickey kicked seven goals in Edinburgh’s 37-21 win over the Cheetahs. Simon Berghan came off the bench.
In the Gallagher Premiership, Bryce Heem scored a try as Worcester humbled Pat Lam’s Bristol 52-7. It was a chastening loss for Siale Piutau, Alapati Leiua, John Afoa, Steven Luatua and Jack Lam.
Sean Maitland’s Saracens won 25-20 at Alofa Alofa’s Harlequins.
Northampton, with Ahsee Tuala, Dylan Hartley, Teimana Harrison and Ben Franks in the ranks, fell 23-15 at home to Leicester.
Lock Bryn Evans scored a try as Sale beat Newcastle 20-7. The Falcons included Sinoti Sinoti, Logovi’i Mulipola and Tane Takalua.
Gloucester’s Josh Hohneck and Jason Woodward tasted a 35-21 away win over Nathan Hughes’ Wasps.
Exeter defeated Bath 39-24. Jackson Willison, Cooper Vuna and Anthony Perenise turned out for the vanquished.
In the French Top 14, Toulon’s travails continued, losing 29-17 at Montpellier, and losing Liam Messam to a red card late in the piece for a shoulder charge which connected with the chin of Montpellier centre Yves Reilhac. Malakai Fekitoa and Julian Savea were replacements.
Ziggy Fisi’ihoi’s Stade Francais won 14-9 at Castres, whose line-up included David Smith, Maama Vaipulu and Alex Tulou.
Pita Ahki, Charlie Faumuina and Jerome Kaino of Toulouse won a tight, 10-0 result over Agen, who fielded Tom Murday and Sam Vaka.
Leva Fifita scored a try in Grenoble’s narrow 28-25 victory over Bordeaux-Begles. His teammates included Lolagi Visinia, Steven Setephano, Taiasina Tuifua and Alaska Taufa.
Benson Stanley and Daniel Ramsay turned out for Pau in the 12-9 win over Perpignan, whose ranks included Michael Faleafa, Shahn Eru and Genesis Mamea.
Charlie Ngatai, Toby Arnold and Rudi Wulf of Lyon won an important 19-13 result in Paris over Racing-Metro, who fielded Census Johnston, Ben Volavola, Dominic Bird and Joe Rokocoko.
Three penalty goals from the boot of Ihaia West helped carry La Rochelle to a 16-12 win over Clermont. Hikairo Forbes, Uini Atonio and Victor Vito were alongside West, while Les Jaunards fielded Isaia Toeava, George Moala and Loni Uhila. Making his debut on the left wing was Tim Nanai-Williams.
This weekend sees the kickoff of the European Champions and Challenge Cups, so the professional domestic leagues will take a three-week hiatus.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Results probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to comments