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We run the rule over the weekend’s form of the eight New Zealand-born players who appeared in the Six Nations.
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Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)
You know what you’ll get with Hadleigh Parkes, the best Kiwi in Wales: a low error-rate, a high work-rate, solid on defence and knowing when to pass.
The Red Dragons’ No 12 did all that against Scotland, leading a parsimonious defensive effort, making holes with nice angles and even unleashing a hefty metre-eating punt. Parkes also gave the last pass, though it may have been forward, for Steff Evans’ try. His 73m run was second only to Evans.
His old man Bill, straight from Hunterville, was over too, beaming in the Principality Stadium stands.
Gareth Anscombe (Wales)
It must be very frustrating for Anscombe, now relegated to, at best, the fourth-ranked No 10 in Wales.
In his 18 minutes, he slotted in at first five, making one nice thrust but also dropping the ball when the line was open. He still offers value off the pine, though, with his ability to operate at fullback.
Sean Maitland (Scotland)
You had to feel sorry for Maitland, entering the fray on the wing at 53 minutes with his side under the knuckle.
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He carried twice for 20m and made a tackle. That was his lot. But there was time to share a laugh post-match with another former Cantabrian, Hadleigh Parkes.
Bundee Aki (Ireland)
The France-Ireland clash was not one tailor-made to give free expression to Bundee Aki’s attacking bent.
The defence was too gnarly for that, but the Connacht man did his job in a full 80 minutes. There was a sweet early offload, and then followed 16 carries for 32m and six tackles. He will be hoping Johnny Sexton can create more space for him in the next four games.
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Dean Budd (Italy)
The former (Auckland) Blues player impressed in a losing cause.
He made seven carries, nine tackles and pulled down a couple of lineouts. But he was also pinged twice. Budd’s high point was an incisive thrust which led to the Azzurri’s first try, to wing Tommaso Benvenuti.
Jayden Hayward (Italy)
The former Hurricanes, Force and Taranaki man slipped on late at the back for Italy and made one run, one carry and one tackle.
Sounds forgettable? Hayward won’t forget it. That was a test debut for the Hawera-born utility back, who turns 31 this Sunday.
Dylan Hartley (England)
Eddie Jones loves the Rotorua-born rake.
And with good reason. Not only is Hartley his skipper, but he does his core tasks with aplomb. Against Italy, England claimed all 11 of his lineout throws and, while his other stats do not appear startling, they don’t need to be. He can be solid as a rock until Jamie George is injected into the action.
Ben Te’o (England)
Te’o didn’t do a lot in his first start in four months. He didn’t need to.
But the centre did his job, carrying six times for 17m and making seven tackles. There were no mistakes. He will be the better for this, and will soon give England a razor-sharp cutting edge in its speedy threequarters when he is firing on all cylinders.
*Many New Zealanders were rested for the fourth round of the Anglo-Welsh Cup, but a handful made telling impacts.
Northampton’s 36-10 win over Harlequins featured a double to Ken Pisi, a single to Ahsee Tuala and four goals to Piers Francis.
James Marshall slotted six goals in London Irish’s 42-21 victory over Cardiff Blues. Jacob Umaga got amongst it in Wasps’ 50-28 defeat of Leicester, scoring a try and kicking five goals for 15 points.
