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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments