Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Kiwis carving up the north

Willi Heinz dives over for Gloucester

It was another busy week for the New Zealand contingent of players across the European competitions, with a handful making all the difference in their sides’ fortunes.

ADVERTISEMENT

Here’s a look at the top performers:

Charles Piutau, Ulster

The million pound man was the object of a bit of media attention back in NZ, saying that his ‘days in a black jersey are over’. That will not concern Ulster one bit, especially since his try assist, 83 metres run and three tackles were crucial in their Pro14 win over Irish rivals Connacht. He was up against Kiwi-turned Irishman Bundee Aki, who had a quiet game despite 16 carries.

Callum Gibbins, Glasgow

A few months ago Gibbins was playing a big part in the Hurricanes’ charge to the Super Rugby semis, but since has slotted straight into the Glasgow Warriors set up nicely. He found himself in familiar surroundings over the weekend in Bloemfontein, and made the Cheetahs pay with two tries from 12 carries that netted 64 metres. He also managed to make 11 tackles in Glasgow’s 29-26 win.

Willi Heinz, Gloucester

The former Canterbury and Crusaders halfback managed to get on the scoresheet as Gloucester rebounded from their heavy defeat to Sale last week. This time around they managed to get over Northampton 29-24 in a close tussle, Heinz contributed with a crucial try, as well as 54 metres run.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoQazd-Wi7M

Blair Cowan, London Irish

OK, so he’s technically Scottish due to his 17 test caps, but it doesn’t erase the fact that he was born in Wellington. His London Irish side went down in a thriller to Leicester at Madejeski Stadium, however Cowan impressed with a try, seven carries and 27 metres gained. Outside him was former Tasman and Hurricanes flyhalf James Marshall, playing his fourth game for the club.

Tony Ensor, Stade Francais

The former Otago and sometime Highlanders winger Ensor had a big game in Paris glamour club Stade’s win over Montpellier. He crossed for a try and ran 44 metres off six carries, which helped move the club up to a slightly more respectable 10th on the ladder. It must be noted that big-spending Montpellier had rested a lot of their stars, including former All Black flyhalf Aaron Cruden.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onX1MseMs3k

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 37 | Six Nations Round 4 Review

Cape Town | Leg 2 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series 2025 | Full Day Replay

Gloucester-Hartpury vs Bristol Bears | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 36 | Six Nations Round 3 Review

Why did Scotland's Finn Russell take the crucial kick from the wrong place? | Whistle Watch

England A vs Ireland A | Full Match Replay

Kubota Spears vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | JRLO 2024/2025 | Full Match Replay

Watch now: Lomu - The Lost Tapes

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
EllenMoody 1 hour ago
Great moments in Lions tour history – JPR’s drop goal and the All Blacks' brutal revenge

A Crypto Theft Victim's Journey: How Morphohack Cyber Service Restored My Assets

By: Ellen Moody, Crypto Investor and Advocate

I was left reeling after discovering that my digital wallet had been compromised, resulting in the loss of 39.5 Ethereum. This devastating experience left me desperate for a solution. I reached out to Morphohack Cyber Service. Their team responded with exceptional professionalism and expertise, promptly launching a comprehensive analysis of the blockchain network to track the stolen funds.

Their specialists employed cutting-edge blockchain analytics tools to follow the digital footprint, providing detailed explanations of their methods. It was evident that they possessed a profound understanding of hacker strategies and vulnerabilities. Despite encountering obstacles, they persevered, meticulously tracking the ETH as it navigated various wallets and tumblers.

Throughout the process, Morphohack Cyber Service maintained seamless communication, providing regular updates on the case. Ultimately, their efforts culminated in the successful recovery of 37 ETH, seized from the wallets holding my stolen assets.

I’m profoundly grateful for Morphohack Cyber Service expertise and genuine commitment to helping victims of crypto theft. Their specialized knowledge of blockchain forensics is unmatched. I highly recommend their services to anyone facing a similar situation. In the complex world of crypto, they are truly a trusted ally.

Need Help Recovering Stolen Crypto? Contact Morphohack Cyber Service:

Email: Morphohack@cyberservices.com

Info@morphohackcyber.com

Morphohackcyber.com

1 Go to comments
J
JWH 2 hours ago
'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Do you hear yourself? Do you have any concept of world view? Have you tried looking into why people call Ireland ‘arrogant’? Obviously not.


We started calling you arrogant when you called our captain a ‘shit Richie McCaw’. In New Zealand. On our turf. Don’t think that kind of behaviour really calls for respect, does it.


NZ don’t really talk ourselves up, if anything the rugby does it for us. No kiwi goes in the media and says: ‘We are gonna win the RWC’. However, I have found many instance of IRISH media saying that the Irish should win, without a doubt. THAT is disrespectful.


The All Blacks have played good rugby, even some of the best rugby ever, at many points in history, but I don’t think you could find a single instance of one of those players, or the NZ media, saying that they should whitewash their opponents. Ever.


Now, onto your analysis. Ireland DID choke the QF. They beat the champions, they were ranked first coming into it, a lot of players at the peaks of their powers. Its hard to say that they didn’t choke. Obviously, their preparation was just not as good as NZ, and thats all there really is to it.


If Ireland had repsected that ABs team and that QF more, maybe they would’ve prepared properly for it and won. But they didn’t.


Maybe if Ireland had won their QF last RWC, they wouldn’t have to be in the same pool as SA and Scotland. I mean, its called a draw for a reason. NZ got third last RWC, so of course they should get a reasonable pool, and they were ranked pretty highly too. If you want to talk about easy pools, look no further than Pool 3 with England, Australia, Fiji, and Georgia I think?


Now, obviously you don’t remember how that QF ended, so I’ll go ahead and rectify that. Ireland reclaimed the ball off kickoff and marched for 20ish phases into the opposition half. Savea then won a turnover, but the referee refused to give it, so play went on. Finally, at the NZ 22, after not giving up a single penatly in 25 phases of hard defense, Sam Whitelock, the most capped All Black of all time, wins the game with an incredible steal.


Now, NZ players having a go at Ireland. Do you cry when you get hit after making the first swing? We all know Sexton is a prick on the field, its just the truth. And Ioane never backs down from a clash, so he thought he should humble a player who has never won an international knockout game who thought he was all that. Don’t really see the issue, its poetic justice really.

81 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions Andy Farrell is draining Ireland’s resources to benefit the Lions
Search