Kiwis in Europe: Northampton's Kiwi contingent not enough to topple bottom-dwellers
Total Kiwis: 83
Bath and Sale will have to dissect a 7-all Gallagher Premiership draw which featured a key conversion kicked by James Wilson.
The 35-year-old returned to Todd Blackadder’s Bath after another season with the Southland Stags in the Mitre 10 Cup. He missed a late penalty goal after entering the fray off the pine, but did convert a Joe Cokanasiga try to secure a draw. Jackson Willison, Kahn Fotuali’i and Cooper Vuna also featured for the home side, while Denny Solomona and Bryn Evans appeared for the Sharks.
Bath remains in the top six, while Sale is in the relegation zone, just off the foot of the table. Harlequins, with Francis Saili and Mat Luamanu in the ranks, inflicted a 28-26 defeat on Exeter Chiefs, the first of the season for the latter.
A try to Bryce Heem was insufficient for Worcester, the Warriors falling 36-16 at Gloucester, for whom Jason Woodward, Willi Heinz and Josh Hohneck were starters.
Sean Maitland’s Saracens beat Wasps 29-6. Lima Sopoaga, Brad Shields and Nathan Hughes all started for the vanquished.
Chris Boyd’s Northampton lost 16-14 at home to Newcastle, despite the presence of Ahsee Tuala, Piers Francis, Dylan Hartley, Teimana Harrison and Ben Franks. The Falcons fielded Sinoti Sinoti, John Hardie (newly arrived from Edinburgh), Logovi’i Mulipola and Tane Takalua.
Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears finally hit top gear, routing Leicester 41-10, despite a yellow card to John Afoa. The Piutaus – Charlie and Siale – Alapati Leiua and Steven Luatua all turned out for the Bears, while Brendon O’Connor and Mike FitzGerald appeared for the Tigers.
The news was brighter for Toulon in the French Top 14. Julian Savea, Liam Messam and Brian Alainu’uese all played a part in the crucial 2 -3 win over a Grenoble outfit that included Alaska Taufa, Taiasina Tuifua, Leva Fifita, Taleta Tupuola and Steven Setephano, who saw yellow.
Aaron Cruden’s Montpellier lost 28-23 at home to Clermont. Isaia Toeava, now pushing 33, scored a try, while his teammates included George Moala, Fritz Lee, Loni Uhila and Tim Nanai-Williams.
Four Ihaia West goals were key in La Rochelle’s 16-11 win over Racing-Metro in a clash that featured no less than nine Kiwis. Victor Vito, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Hikairo Forbes and a yellow-carded Uini Atonio tasted victory, while Ole Avei, Dominic Bird, Ben Volavola and Ben Tameifuna all turned out for the Parisians.
Paula Ngauamo and Tom Murday tasted victory in a south-western derby, 16-13 at Castres. David Smith was sinbinned for the Castres, while Alex Tulou was a replacement.
Tries to Toby Arnold and Charlie Ngatai, again, helped Lyon to a convincing 30-10 win over Pau. Rudi Wulf was again at centre for the victors, while Colin Slade, at fullback, Benson Stanley, Daniel Ramsay and Jamie Mackintosh played for Pau.
Bordeaux-Begles beat a Perpignan side that included Genesis Mamea and Shahn Eru 22-11.
Toulouse – with Charlie Faumuina, Joe Tekori and Carl Axtens in the ranks, crushed Stade Francais 49-20. Ziggy Fisi’ihoi and Tony Ensor came off the bench for the Parisians.
In the Guinness PRO14, Josh Renton’s Zebre was on the receiving end of a 43-0 hiding at the hands of Ospreys. Tyler Bleyendaal scored a try in Munster’s 44-14 win over Edinburgh.
Siua Halanukonuka’s Glasgow defeated Scarlets 29-20, with Johnny McNicholl and Kieron Fonotia on the losing side.
Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent appeared for Leinster in the 59-10 win over the Dragons.
A hat-trick to hooker Hame Faiva highlighted Treviso’s 22-19 victory in South Africa against the Southern Kings. Monty Ioane also scored a try for the Italians, while Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara was on the other wing.
Sean Reidy’s Ulster edged the Cardiff Blues of Rey Lee-Lo and Nick Williams 16-12. Tom McCartney and Dominic Robertson-McCoy played for Connacht in the 21-17 win over the Cheetahs.
Round three of the European competitions plays out this weekend.
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?
10 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.
10 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.
10 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.
10 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