Watch: Kiwis carving up the north - Latu defying Father Time
Nili Latu is one of the great warriors of rugby and, even at 35, still has plenty to offer.
That much was clear with his last gasp try to help Newcastle Falcons to a 24-22 win over Northampton in round 10 of the Aviva Premiership.
Latu had 13 minutes off the bench, but has started more often than not at No 8 for the Falcons. His coach Dean Richards, himself an indefatigable loose forward, if built along less dynamic lines than Latu, would have approved of Latu’s low body position for the driving, close range try.
Latu only played the last of his 48 tests for Ikale Tahi in July. His international and clubmate Tane Takalua kicked the easy conversion for the win. Earlier, wing Sinoti Sinoti had shown a refusal to be tackled with a bullocking try, while Sinoti gave the last pass for Josh Matavesi’s score.
Kiwi-born Dylan Hartley scored a try for Saints, while Piers Francis slotted two goals off the bench. Ahsee Tuala strolled over for a try, but it was ruled out by the TMO for an earlier knock-on.
Jimmy Gopperth kicked four decisive goals for Wasps in their 32-25 victory over Leicester, whose squad included former Hawke’s Bay and Samoa prop Logovi’i Mulipola, Mike FitzGerald, Valentino Mapapalangi and Telusa Veainu.
The Kiwi quartet of John Afoa, Josh Hohneck, Jeremy Thrush and Willi Heinz were front and centre for Gloucester, who are working their way up the Premiership table after a 39-15 win over London Irish. Lock Filo Paulo scored a try for the Exiles, who also started James Marshall and Mike Coman.
Bryn Evans’ Sale edged Bryce Heem’s Worcester 18-14, while a Thomas Waldrom try helped leaders Exeter to a 42-29 result over Bath, who fielded Paul Grant, Anthony Perenise and Kahn Fotuali’i.
Mat Luamanu’s Harlequins edged Sean Maitland’s Saracens 20-19.
In the Guinness PRO14, Dave Rennie’s Glasgow Warriors beat Cardiff Blues 40-16. Lelia Masaga, Callum Gibbins, Siua Halanukonuka and Samuela Vunisa, who scored a try, all featured for the victors. Gareth Anscombe (at fullback), Nick Williams and Rey Lee-Lo all turned out for the Blues, while former (Auckland) Blues prop Taufa’ao Filise copped a red card.
Ulster, with Charlie Piutau and Sean Reidy in the mix, drew 32-all with Dragons, while Johnny McNicholl’s Scarlets lost 28-21 to the Cheetahs.
Rhys Marshall’s Munster dispatched Kieron Fonotia’s Ospreys 36-10, while Pita Ahki’s Connacht went down 24-10 to Zebre.
Phil Burleigh and Simon Berghan enjoyed a 48-21 away win for Edinburgh at the Southern Kings.
James Lowe made a fine debut for Leinster, the left wing scoring a brace in the 36-10 win over Treviso, for whom Marty Banks, Whetu Douglas, Nasi Manu and 2017 Blues hooker Hame Faiva featured.
In the French Top 14, Malakai Fekitoa and Alby Mathewson helped Toulon to a 39-11 victory over Lyon. Toby Arnold, Rudi Wulf, Toa Halafihi and Mike Harris played for the vanquished.
A Quentin MacDonald try and five goals to Ben Botica were insufficient as Oyonnax lost 33-30 to Brive.
Colin Slade and Tom Taylor shared six goals in Pau’s 27-17 win over Bordeaux-Begles. Others to feature for Pau were Conrad Smith, Benson Stanley, Frank Halai, Peter Saili and Jamie Mackintosh. Fa’asiu Fuatai scored a try for the opposition, while Ben Volavola popped up off the bench.
David Smith’s Castres won the local derby 41-31 over bigger neighbours Toulouse, for whom Charlie Faumuina was again at tighthead.
Aaron Cruden’s Montpellier fell 26-10 to leaders La Rochelle, whose line-up included Rene Ranger, Uini Atonio, Jason Eaton, Victor Vito and Hikairo Forbes.
Tony Ensor and prop Siegfried Fisi’ihoi appeared for Stade Francais in the 27-17 Parisian derby win over Racing-Metro. No 8 So’otala Fa’aso’o scored a try and incurred a yellow card for the latter.
Luke McAlister – formerly of Toulouse and Toulon – has popped up at Clermont, kicking four goals in the 35-26 victory over Agen. Les Jaunards, who are said to have signed Tim Nanai-Williams for the 2018-19 season, fielded Isaia Toeava at fullback. George Tilsley ran in a hat-trick for Agen.
This weekend sees round three of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.
*Hunterville’s very own Hadleigh Parkes had a dream debut for Wales. The midfielder, regarded as something of a nomadic rugby journeyman in New Zealand, scored a double and took the man of the match honours in the 24-22 win over South Africa.
Parkes has just qualified on residency after three years of consistent form for Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets, where his low error rate is highly valued.
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?
9 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.
9 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.
9 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.
9 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