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Kiwis carving up the north - Warriors on the warpath

Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie. Photo / Getty Images.

The Glasgow Warriors, coached by Dave Rennie, continue on their merry way.

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They are now 9-0 for the season and clear leaders of Conference A in the Guinness PRO14.

On the weekend, they cleaned out Ospreys to the tune of 47-6, with former All Blacks wing Lelia Masaga, former Taranaki No 8 Samuela Vunisa, former Hurricanes and Manawatu No 7 and Highlanders and Ikale Tahi prop Siua Halanukonuka, all in the mix. Former Manawatu and New Zealand Under 20s prop Ma’afu Fia was a replacement for Ospreys.

Rhys Marshall’s Munster defeated Zebre 36-19. Waikato lock James Tucker turned out for the Italians.

Johnny McNicholl was at fullback as Wayne Pivac’s Scarlets stayed top of Conference B with a 34-30 away win against the Southern Kings of South Africa.

Gareth Anscombe contributed a crucial four goals off the bench as Cardiff Blues edged Connacht 36-30. No 8 Nick Williams copped a yellow card, while Willis Halaholo was in the midfield. Connacht fielded flanker Jake Heenan and former Blues, Hurricanes, North Harbour, Waikato and All Blacks Sevens rep Pita Ahki.

Isa Nacewa shows few signs of age, the 35-year-old running in a double as Leinster dispatched Dragons 54-10. Former Taranaki reps Jamison Gibson-Park and Michael Bent both started for the Irish province.

Charlie Piutau’s Ulster beat a Treviso side, 23-22, which included Whetu Douglas and Nasi Manu in the loose forwards, while Marty Banks, off the pine, landed a late penalty goal.

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In the French Top 14, La Rochelle beat Pau 44-14 in a clash which featured no less than nine former All Blacks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G6Vb13sc8Y

For the victors, Rene Ranger, Victor Vito and Jason Eaton all started, Vito scoring a try and Eaton incurring a yellow card. Former Wesley College and France prop Uini Atonio was at tighthead, while former Waikato hooker Hikairo Forbes was used off the bench.

Pau used an extraordinary six All Blacks – Colin Slade, Conrad Smith, Tom Taylor, Jamie Mackintosh, Benson Stanley and Frank Halai. The odd one out was No 8 Peter Saili. Slade kicked a goal, while Taylor slotted two goals.

George Tilsley’s Agen defeated Tony Ensor’s Stade Francais 29-13.

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Bordeaux-Begles’ New Zealand wings Ed Fidow and Fa’asiu Fuatai appeared in their club’s 27-all draw with Brive.

The Toulouse trio of Charlie Faumuina, Joe Tekori and Carl Axtens helped their club to a 17-9 win at Lyon, who included Toby Arnold (sinbinned), Rudi Wulf and Mike Harris.

Racing-Metro, with Joe Rokocoko, Ben Tameifuna and So’otala Fa’aso’o, blanked Montpellier 26-0.

David Smith’s Castres beat his old club Toulon 20-19. The midfield pairing of Malakai Fekitoa and Ma’a Nonu both scored tries for the vanquished.

A New Zealand-laden Oyonnax drew 32-32 with Clermont, who fielded Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister and Fritz Lee. Oyonnax started Ben Botica, who kicked two goals, Hika Elliot, Rory Grice and Hoani Tui, while Quentin MacDonald, Vili Ma’afu and Roimata Hansell-Pune all entered the fray from the bench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ3uah8AdEk

Todd Blackadder’s Bath are travelling well in England’s Aviva Premiership and put paid to Harlequins 38-14 on the weekend. Former Otago No 8 Paul Grant scored a try, while the two outside back Wilsons, Jack and James, started, as did Samoa duo Anthony Perenise and Kahn Fotuali’i.

Michael Paterson’s was one of three yellow cards against Northampton in the 18-15 defeat by Bryn Evans’ Sale Sharks.

The resurgence of Worcester Warriors, club of Bryce Heem and Jackson Willison, continues with a 31-27 win at Leicester, for whom former Chiefs lock Mike FitzGerald copped a yellow, while Telusa Veainu, Brendon O’Connor and Valentino Mapapalangi also started for the Tigers.

Jeremy Thrush scored a try for Gloucester in the 29-7 victory over Nili Latu’s Newcastle. Willi Heinz, Josh Hohneck and John Afoa also appeared for Gloucester.

Reigning Premiership player of the year Jimmy Gopperth kicked a goal for Wasps in the 17-13 win over London Irish, whose Kiwi contingent was James Marshall, Ben Franks, Filo Paulo and Mike Coman.

 

 

 

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SK 33 minutes ago
'Haves and have nots': The Six Nations numbers reveal hidden truths

Really interesting stats, especially around the scrums and the props spending so little time in them. The game is changing and is becoming faster but its also heavily territory and momentum dependent now. The amount of tries scored by forwards in the top 3 teams shows the importance of forward firepower at the lineout and is also of great importance when you are 5m out trying to get over the line from general play. Ireland don’t have behemoths but do well in this area due to superior technique and quality, France have the biggest most powerful pack and replace them with an arguably bigger pack with the 7-1 and England have plenty of power in this area. Teams are choosing to retain territory and use pens as a launchpad for dominating territory. Exits have also never been as important as they are today with teams giving away turnovers in their own half being heavily punished. The 50-22 is also important in this respect and we have seen how kickers go for it when on or inside their own 10. This especially happens directly after an aerial duel contest is won or in the event of a turnover in midfield. With the winger out of place and defence scrambling at the line a kicker is well within his rights to go for the 50-22. Giving away back to back penalties is also a no no as this leads to a 60-80m retreat. The Six Nations proves that in the modern age territorial supremacy and forward based power is what is winning games and championships.

9 Go to comments
S
SK 1 hour ago
South African rugby's top heavy house of cards

I think everyone knows that the SA teams are prioritising the URC which is why they have been so bad in Europe. The champions cup group stage fixtures couldnt come at a worse time for SA franchises. They come hot on the heels of the Autumn internationals and in December and Jan when its coldest in Europe and as hot as it gets in SA. During this period SA franchises have to leap from Africa to Europe one week after the next. SA franchises sometimes have to hop from Europe back to Africa and then back to Europe in 3 to 4 weeks. Mandatory Springbok rest periods are opted into by franchises to keep the players fit as the Springbok players cannot play year-round and injuries take their toll. Fatigue also sets in for players who have played non-stop since March as there is no global calendar. They don’t get a chance to regroup again until the six nations. SA teams prioritise what’s in front of them. The Springboks are top heavy and SA franchises are in Transition between the new and older generation. There are lots of youngsters coming through but they need more time at the top level. Coaching is also in transition in SA Rugby with many coaches at a young age. The age group levels SA has underperformed but the talent is there. Its coming through at franchise level and these players are getting great experience playing in a variety of comps. I would hardly call it a house of cards though. Succession planning has already become a reality. At Prop the Springboks are already replacing the seniors, at Scrum Half the Springboks are building depth and at 10 they have loads of options now and at 4 and 5 the Boks have used a host of players in recent years. Rassie has a plan for 2027 and the best coaching staff at international level. He has some difficult questions in front of him when it comes to the squad but is finding answers at the moment. Yes its possible Springbok performances could dip this year and perhaps in 2026 however I would not bet against them continuing to dominate while in transition. There were similar doubts cast about them last year and they proved the doubters wrong.

3 Go to comments
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