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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments