Kiwis in Europe: Kiwi Toulonnais starting to fire
Total Kiwis: 76
Toulon is moving slowly up the French Top 14 standings due in no small part to the New Zealand influence.
The red and blacks defeated Agen 32-3, with No 8 Liam Messam scoring a try. Centre Malakai Fekitoa, just hours after revealing he still harbours All Blacks aspirations, scored one himself and set up wing Josua Tuisova with an exquisite pass. Julian Savea was on the left wing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuPO8GqEV_M
This was Toulon’s second win out of five matches in a difficult start to the 2018-19 season, and the club now lies 11th.
Nemani Nadolo scored a brace in Montpellier’s crushing 66-15 win over a Toulouse side that included Pita Ahki, Carl Axtens and Joe Tekori.
Ziggy Fisi’ihoi’s Stade Francais beat Pau 25-13. Colin Slade, Benson Stanley, Daniel Ramsay and Tom Taylor appeared for the latter.
Bordeaux-Begles beat Clermont 23-19, with Isaia Toeava, Fritz Lee, George Moala and Loni Uhila turning out for Les Jaunards.
Grenoble – with Steven Setephano, Alaska Taufa and Lolagi Visinia in the ranks – won an important 31-22 win over a Perpignan outfit that included Michael Faleafa and Shahn Eru.
Ihaia West slotted three goals for La Rochelle in the 30-13 victory over Lyon. Alongside West were Uini Atonio, Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr Barlow and Hikairo Forbes. Charlie Ngatai scored a late try for Lyon, while Toby Arnold entered off the bench.
Racing-Metro defeated Castres 27-11, with Alex Tulou copping a yellow card for the south-western club. Dominic Bird made his debut for the Parisians, while Ben Volavola, Joe Rokocoko, Ole Avei and Ben Tameifuna also featured.
In the Guinness PRO14, Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys beat Monty Ioane’s Treviso 27-10, while Callum Gibbins’ Glasgow Warriors lost 28-38 to the Southern Kings. Sean Reidy’s Ulster scored a late converted try to force a 39-all draw at the Cheetahs’ home.
Gareth Anscombe had a good outing for his Cardiff Blues, which beat Munster 37-13. Anscombe kicked seven goals for 17 points, while Nick Williams and Willis Halaholo scored tries.
James Lowe scored a try for Leinster in the 31-7 defeat of Simon Berghan and Simon Hickey’s Edinburgh. Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent also played for the Irish province.
Brandon Nansen’s Dragons beat Zebre 16-5. Loose forward Jimmy Tuivaiti powered through the work for the Italian club, making 17 tackles.
Bundee Aki played strongly, setting up a try in Connacht’s 33-20 win over Scarlets. Tom McCartney and Dominic Robertson-McCoy came off the bench for the victors, while Blade Thomson, Hadleigh Parkes and Johnny McNicholl – the latter whom scored a try – turned out for Wayne Pivac’s charges.
In the Gallagher Premiership, Bryce Heem’s Worcester won a vital 44-37 result at Leicester. Sean Maitland crossed the tryline in Saracens’ 38-15 defeat of Gloucester.
Bristol and its six Kiwis tasted a 20-13 win over Harlequins. Siale Piutau, Alapati Leiua, John Afoa, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua and Jack Lam all played for the Bears.
Todd Blackadder got one over Chris Boyd as Bath edged Northampton 17-15. Anthony Perenise and Jackson Willison played for the west country club, while Ahsee Tuala, Piers Francis, Dylan Hartley, Ben Franks and Teimana Harrison turned out for the Saints.
A try to Nathan Hughes and five goals to Lima Sopoaga helped Wasps to a 31-13 at Sale, for whom Bryn Evans and Denny Solomona played. Exeter defeated Newcastle 24-17, with Tane Takalua and Logovi’i Mulipola turning out for the Falcons.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
smith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
37 Go to comments