Kiwis in Europe: The New Zealand trio suffering a tough start to the new PRO14 season
Glasgow’s Kiwi contingent of TJ Ioane, Aki Seiuli and Fotu Lokotui have endured a tough start to the PRO14 with the Warriors.
The trio were involved in the Warriors’ 27-13 defeat to Munster on a wet old night at Scotstoun. That gives Glasgow just one win from its first six games of the season.
No 8 Ioane himself was in the thick of the action in what was a niggly contest.
Lokotui, who entered the fray as a sub, was due to come back for the Mitre 10 Cup season with Counties Manukau, but was unable to enter New Zealand due to border control regulations governing non-Kiwi nationals. He carries a Tongan passport and has played for the Ikale Tahi.
Ioane and loosehead prop Seiuli would have been disappointed to see their old Otago province go down to Northland in last Friday’s Mitre 10 Cup Championship semifinal.
Munster’ reserve hooker Rhys Marshall, formerly of the Chiefs and Taranaki, was a second stanza sub for the victors.
Elsewhere in the PRO14, which has just 12 teams, Ma’afu Fia’s Ospreys edged Treviso 24-22. Hame Faiva and the back three of Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane and Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara all turned out for the Italians.
Dominic Robertson-McCoy’s Connacht team flogged Zebre 47-12. Junior Laloifi and Josh Renton played for the latter.
Michael Bent’s Leinster was also too strong for Cardiff, 40-5.
Sam Lousi was a late scratching due to Covid-19 protocols for Scarlets in their 24-26 defeat to Ulster. The Irish team fielded Matt Faddes, who was yellow carded, and Alby Mathewson, while flanker Sean Reidy scored an important try.
The Queensland Rugby Union has today announced the Queensland Reds have signed teenage flyhalf Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael. #QueenslandReds https://t.co/NXydXD8vYR
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 23, 2020
In the opening round of the 2020-21 Gallagher Premiership, Denny Solomona’s Sale beat Northampton 32-23. The Saints fielded five players with Kiwi connections: former Blues five-eighths Piers Francis scored a try, while Teimana Harrison, Matt Proctor, Ahsee Tuala and Owen Franks all featured.
Former Manu Samoa and Hawke’s Bay prop Logovi’i Mulipola enjoyed newly promoted Newcastle Falcons’ 19-12 win at Bath.
Former Hurricanes right wing Kobus van Wyk made a solid start to his new career at Leicester, scoring a try in the Tigers’ 38-15 over Jason Woodward’s Gloucester.
Melani Nanai and Worcester edged, 11-10, a London Irish outfit that included forwards Motu Matu’u, Sekope Kepu and Blair Cowan.
At 37, Jimmy Gopperth is still doing the business for Wasps, slotting five key goals as his team beat Bristol 23-20. Lima Sopoaga was at fullback, while Jacob Umaga, who helped Auckland to the 2018 Premiership, was at 10. Jeff Toomaga-Allen and Brad Shields were in the Wasps’ pack.
Bristol fielded the evergreen John Afoa, now 37, Chris Vui, Jake Heenan, Alapati Leiua and Siale Piutau, who scored a try.
In the French Top 14, it was time for catch-up games after Covid-19 had played havoc with the schedule.
Joe Ravouvou and Mat Luamanu enjoyed Bayonne’s 35-39 win over Toulon, who fielded some old heads.
Ma’a Nonu, at 38, copped a yellow card, while former All Black Isaia Toeava, pushing 35, wore the No 10 jersey for the red and blacks, as he did for Auckland back in 2005. Also featuring were Tane Takalua and Brian Alainu’uese.
Ihaia West kicked all three goals in La Rochelle’s tryless 9-6 encounter with Racing-Metro, for whom Dominic Bird was at lock. Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Uini Atonio also played for les Rochelais.
Telusa Veainu’s Stade Francais beat Bordeaux-Begles 26-16, despite the best efforts of Ben Botica (four goals) and Ben Lam (a try to go with a yellow card). Ben Tameifuna anchored the Bordeaux scrum.
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