Kiwis in Europe: Lyon's Kiwi influence felt against Stade
The Kiwi influence at Lyon is still palpable as that club makes its way up the French Top 14 table.
In Lyon’s 41-6 defeat of Stade Francais, second five Charlie Ngatai scored an intercept try to go with another five-pointer by former Bay of Plenty wing Toby Arnold. Former All Black Rudi Wulf was at centre. One of the replacement props was South African-born Albertus Buckle, who played for Wairarapa-Bush at the dawn of the Heartland Championship.
Lyon is now up to fourth on the log, while Stade remains third. Tony Ensor and Ziggy Fisi’ihoi turned out for the Parisians.
Toulouse, with Joe Tekori, Charlie Faumuina and Carl Axtens in the ranks, blanked Bordeaux-Begles 40-0. Former All Blacks Sevens and Manawatu wing George Tilsley was yellow-carded for the visitors.
Racing-Metro upset Montpellier 27-13 in the south of France. Aaron Cruden kicked a penalty goal for the home side, but it was Census Johnston, Dominic Bird, Ole Avei and Ben Tameifuna who tasted a sweet away victory.
Grenoble and Clermont drew 27-all. Alaska Taufa scored a try for the former, while Leva Fifita, Steven Setephano and Taiasina Tuifua all featured for Grenoble. The visitors fielded Tim Nanai-Williams, Fritz Lee, George Moala and Isaia Toeava.
A try to Alex Tulou helped Castres to a 37-10 win over Pau. David Smith came off the pine for Castres. Benson Stanley was in the unfamiliar No 10 position for Pau, while Daniel Ramsay and Peter Saili also played.
Six goals to Ihaia West helped La Rochelle to a 33-29 win over Agen. Hikairo Forbes and Victor Vito started in the pack. Agen fielded Sam Vaka, Tom Murday and hooker Paula Ngauamo.
Playing at second five, Julian Savea broke his try drought as Toulon won a crucial 26-16 victory over Perpignan. Malakai Fekitoa, Brian Alainu’uese and Liam Messam were alongside him. Genesis Mamea and Shahn Eru both played for the Catalans.
In the Guinness PRO14, two conversions by Simon Hickey, who was also binned, helped Edinburgh to a 31-21 win over Scarlets, for whom Johnny McNicholl scored a try. Kieron Fonotia and Blade Thomson also started for the Welsh region.
Callum Gibbins’ Glasgow beat Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys 29-20. Tom McCartney scored a brace as Connacht defeated Dragons 33-12.
Sean Reidy scored an important try for Ulster in the 15-10 victory at Benetton Treviso, for whom hooker Hame Faiva scored a try. Jayden Hayward, Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara and Dean Budd all featured for the Italian club.
A double to Rey Lee-Lo and a single to Nick Williams highlighted Cardiff Blues’ 37-0 shutout of Zebre.
Former NZ Under 20s captain Tyler Bleyendaal is back from a long injury layoff, turning out at No 12 for Munster in the 30-26 win over the Cheetahs. Alby Mathewson was at halfback for the Irish province.
Jamison Gibson-Park scored a try as Leinster beat the Southern Kings 38-31. The second round of England’s Premership Rugby Cup saw a Bryce Heem double carry Worcester to a 31-12 defeat of Valentino Mapapalangi’s Leicester.
Exeter Chiefs beat Bath 25-18. Former NZ Schools loose forward Onehunga Havili came off the bench for the Chiefs, while wing Jack Wilson scored twice for the vanquished.
Anthony Perenise and Kahn Fotuali’i were both replacements for Bath. Johnny Leota’s Sale drew 15-15 with Saracens. Ben Franks’ Northampton Saints edged Ambrose Curtis’ Wasps 15-14. Newcastle, with former North Harbour openside Connor Collett in the starting line-up, tipped over Francis Saili’s Harlequins 23-21.
Charlie Piutau finally made his debut for Bristol in the 21-13 win over west country rivals Gloucester. Flanker Jake Heenan scored a try off the bench for Pat Lam’s side.
The French Top 14 and Guinness PRO14 break for two weekends of the November internationals. The Gallagher Premiership resumes on November 17.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
Four 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?
9 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.
15 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.
1 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.
9 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.
9 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.
9 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 commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments