Kiwis in Europe: Why New Zealand Rugby and the Chiefs still miss Charlie Ngatai
New Zealand rugby, and the Chiefs in particular, still miss Charlie Ngatai.
The 30-year-old, one-test All Black, continues to show his class for Lyon in the French Top 14.
In this morning’s match, Ngatai’s skill was to the fore on several occasions at No 12 as Lyon defeated Bordeaux-Begles 27-10 at home. His howitzer-like boot saw him land a mammoth penalty goal from his own half and he made other telling touches as Lyon registered its first win. Alongside Ngatai were Toby Arnold (15) and Alex Tulou (19).
Prop Ben Tameifuna was penalised at scrum time, which did not help his team, while Ben Lam was largely unemployed on the wing. Ben Botica was a replacement for the visitors.
Elsewhere, Brandon Nansen and So’otala Fa’aso’o played their parts in Brive’s 19-13 win over Luke Whitelock’s Pau.
Mat Luamanu, Joe Ravouvou, who scored a try, and Alofa Alofa all turned out in Bayonne’s 26-19 victory over Telusa Veainu’s Stade Francais. The latter, a Tongan international and former Canterbury rep, scored a try for the Parisians.
JJ Taulagi helped celebrate his old province Hawke’s Bay’s Ranfurly Shield heist with a try for Agen in its 31-12 defeat to Clermont. Sam Vaka and Paula Ngauamo were alongside him. Les Jaunards included Fritz Lee, George Moala and Tim Nanai-Williams.
Pita Ahki, Joe Tekori and Jerome Kaino (at lock!) were in the winner’s circle for Toulouse, which beat Toulon 39-19. Brian Alainu’uese, Tane Takalua and Bryce Heem featured for Les Toulonnais.
The regular season placings for the 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership are not yet decided, with Sale still to play Worcester midweek.
Jimmy Gopperth, at 37, was in top touch for Wasps, who qualified second after dispatching top qualifiers Exeter Chiefs 46-5. The former Hurricanes and Blues pivot scored a try and kicked six goals. Former Auckland No 10/15 Jacob Umaga scored a try, while Malakai Fekitoa, Brad Shields and Jeff Toomaga-Allen all featured for the victors.
Sean Maitland’s Saracens drew 17-all with Bath.
Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears will finish either third or fourth after defeating London Irish 36-7. Former Wesley College and Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu was at tighthead prop for the Exiles.
John Afoa, Chris Vui, Jake Heenan and Siale Piutau all fronted for the Bears.
Former Blues threequarter Joe Marchant showed he has absorbed his lessons well from his time in New Zealand, with a double in Harlequins’ 32-26 win over Leicester. Former Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo scored a try for the Tigers.
Round one of the PRO14 saw former Chiefs wing James Lowe scoring a brace for Leinster in the 35-5 victory over the Dragons. Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent were among his teammates.
Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo enjoyed a 16-6 Cardiff Blues win over Zebre, who fielded Junior Laloifi and Jimmy Tuivaiti.
Sean Reidy and Alby Mathewson tasted a 35-24 victory for Ulster over Treviso. The Italians included Hame Faiva, Toa Halafihi, and an all-Kiwi back three of Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, Monty Ioane and Jayden Hayward.
Munster edged Scarlets 30-27, with Blade Thomson and Sam Lousi turning out for the latter.
Bundee Aki’s Connacht beat Glasgow 28-24, the Warriors fielding Fotu Lokotui and Aki Seiuli off the bench.
Two Kiwi tightheads – Simon Berghan of Edinburgh and Ma’afu Fia of Ospreys – featured in the latter’s 25-10 win.
Comments on RugbyPass
well remember the blues had a guy called jed rowlands for a season. remember scott took his coaching team with him give him time
13 Go to commentswell maybe he needs to be introduced to darcy swain then who never got anything much and put a cheifs ands allblack player out injured and made him miss a season recovering
12 Go to commentswell maybe the match offficals should sort it out if they are worried about it and stop the clock
3 Go to commentsI totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.
3 Go to commentsSend the bill to McLennan.
3 Go to comments2 out of 3 were perfect. TMOs love jumping in on anything outside the law. The fact they saw nothing wrong speaks volumes. You want to see what a late blindside hit looks like, watch Kepu take out Carter in the 2015 World Cup final. Completely different to the Tah’s tackle.
12 Go to commentsverkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
13 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
12 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
12 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
12 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
119 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
12 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
13 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
3 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
12 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
13 Go to comments