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Kiwis in Europe: New Zealand's PRO14 influence evident

By Campbell Burnes

02 Sep 2018

Dean Budd. Photo / Getty Images

The Guinness PRO14 season is underway, and already the heavy New Zealand influence is evident.

Former Blues and Taranaki halfback Jamison Gibson-Park helped spark Leinster to life as the defending champs railed from a 29-14 deficit to edge Cardiff Blues 33-32 in the Welsh capital.

Prop Michael Bent started for Leinster, who are starting rugby life without the talismanic Isa Nacewa, now back in New Zealand and doing some TV work.

Former Counties Manukau Steelers midfielder Rey Lee-Lo scored a brace for Cardiff, whose numbers also featured Willis Halaholo and Nick Williams.

New Edinburgh signing and former Auckland captain Simon Hickey slotted two penalty goals for his new employers – while Kilted Kiwi Simon Berghan packed down at tighthead prop – but it was not sufficient as Ospreys won 17-13 at home.

No 8 Jim Tuivaiti scored a try as Zebre defeated the Southern Kings 32-16. Brandon Nansen’s Dragons went down 17-21 at home to a Treviso unit that included Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane, Hame Faiva, captain Dean Budd and former King Country and Waikato wing Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara.

Sean Reidy’s Ulster edged Scarlets 15-13. Kieron Fonotia, transferred from Ospreys, and former Hurricanes loose forward Blade Thomson appeared for Wayne Pivac’s charges.

Rhys Marshall’s Munster blanked the Cheetahs 38-0, while Callum Gibbins wore the No 7 jersey in Glasgow’s narrow 27-26 win over Connacht.

The newly renamed Gallagher Premiership in England saw Exeter Chiefs flex their muscle to the tune of 40-6 over the Leicester Tigers who fielded Telusa Veainu, Mike FitzGerald and Brendon O’Connor.

Harlequins, with no Kiwis in the ranks, despite their association with New Zealand Rugby, hammered Sale Sharks 51-23. Denny Solomona and Bryn Evans turned out for the Sharks.

Nathan Hughes’ Wasps edged Bryce Heem’s Worcester 21-20.

Jason Woodward and Josh Hohneck enjoyed Gloucester’s 27-16 win over Northampton in the Saints’ first proper game under new coach Chris Boyd. Piers Francis scored a try for the Saints, who also fielded Ahsee Tuala, Nafi Tuitavake, Ben Franks, Teimana Harrison, Dylan Hartley and Ken Pisi.

Pat Lam made a winning start to his Premership coaching tenure with newly promoted Bristol Bears, beating Bath 17-10 at Ashton Gate.

Alapati Leiua scored a key try for the victors, who weathered a yellow card to No 12 Tusi Pisi. Others of New Zealand origin included John Afoa, Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Joe Latta and Jack Lam. Bath fielded Jackson Willison, transferred from Worcester, and replacement Anthony Perenise.

Sean Maitland’s Saracens opened their Premiership defence with a 32-21 win at Newcastle. Tane Takalua, Logovi’i Mulipola and Tevita Cavubati appeared for the Falcons.

There were again some topsy-turvy results in the French Top 14. Isaia Toeava, Loni Uhila and Fritz Lee all tasted victory in Paris as Clermont beat Racing-Metro 40-17. Turning out for the latter were Ole Avei, Ben Tameifuna, Ben Volavola and Joe Rokocoko.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grRV4Qi9FIA

A try to Sam Vaka helped Agen defeat Perpignan 25-23. Alongside him was Tom Murday. Shan Eru and former Wellington No 8 Genesis Mamea played for the Catalans.

Joe Tekori scored a decisive try as Toulouse beat Grenoble 23-20. Jerome Kaino was again at No 8 while Charlie Faumuina came off the bench.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArdQy4p7hYs

Both Lolagi Visinia and Alaska Taufa received yellow cards for Grenoble, while Leva Fifita and Halani Aulika also featured.

Defending champs Castres, with David Smith and Alex Tulou in the ranks, beat Lyon 19-16, who had Charlie Ngatai, Rudi Wulf and Toby Arnold at 12-13-14.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Victor Vito, Hikairo Forbes and Uini Atonio were all on the wrong end of a 36-14 reverse for La Rochelle at Montpellier.

Ziggy Fisi’ihoi’s Stade Francais defeated Luke Braid’s Bordeaux-Begles 20-8, while George Tilsley came off the pine for the latter.

Four penalty goals to Colin Slade and one to Tom Taylor helped Pau to a 20-10 home win over Toulon. Benson Stanley, who turns 34 next week, started at No 13 for Pau.

Liam Messam, in the No 7 jersey, and Julian Savea made their Toulon debuts, having gained a taste of the pre-game show at Mayol last weekend. Malakai Fekitoa was on the left wing.

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Comments on RugbyPass

GrahamVF 19 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

500k registered players in SA are scoolgoers and 90% of them don't go on to senior club rugby. SA is fed by having hundreds upon hundreds of schools that play rugby - school rugby is an institution of note in SA - but as I say for the vast majority when they leave school that's it.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 26 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

There is a continued murmur in local circles about reciprocal bi annual tours between SA and Argentine. Whether it's full blooded test tours or development tours or a mixture - ie touring with a "test" 20 and a development 20 the cream of which will be used in tests. We actually really enjoy playing the Argies and I believe they enjoy playing us. It goes back seventy years to the Junior Bok tours to Argentine involving Isaac van Heerden.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 34 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

About 500K of those are schoolboys 90% of which will not go on to play club rugby.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 35 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Exactly. Shoo would that it was so easy to develop competitions.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 38 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

SA wealthy? Compared to which countries. The economy is in tatters unemployment is at record low numbers and you think SA has money to spend on rugby development -0 and remember the SARU was technically bankrupt and was only saved by the COVID tour of the B&I Lions. No Sa doesn't have spare cash lying round for rugby development and given the resources SARU is doing just fine.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 42 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

South African domestic rugby is in great shape. Four top tier franchises fed by a series of competitions ranging from national schools competitions through Varsity Cup to Currie Cup and then to top four franchises is a model Australia would do well to follow. SA should never have more than four top domestic teams.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 47 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

That might be the best spin off from SA's involvement north of the line.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 47 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Of course not Nick 😉

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 51 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

We have our own theories about The Sharks. Plumtree is a good coach but he has not done anywhere near the best he could with the talent and money he has at his disposal and it doesn't help to have a marquee director of rugby who has spent by far the majority of his career playing and coaching sevens.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 56 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Don't worry - you'll win again soon then you'll feel a lot better. Right now get on with your SH comps and we'll get on with being barely the best in the world.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 59 minutes ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

JW you really have no idea of how Africa works. It will take generations not decades no matter how much SA puts into it. The poverty in Africa is something that is obviously beyond your understanding. Do you think the governments of impoverished nations are going to watch happily as rugby pours massive investments into infrastructure to promote what is essentially a white western game? And SA was trying hard to develop the game in Africa until the African vote blocked our "23 bid after the independent consultants to the RFU voted unanimously for SA? The Confederation of African Rugby virtually excluded South Africa.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Nick, our association with Argentina Rugby runs very long and deep. We are exploring reciprocal two/three test tours in the future - and even more games at neutral venues such as in Europe where a lot of both teams have players anyway.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

"has SA actually EVER helped to develop another union to maturity like NZ has with Japan," yes - Argentina. You obviously don't know the history of Argentinian rugby. SA were touring there on long development tours in the 1950's

We continued the Junior Bok tours to the Argentine through to the early 70's

My coach at Grey High was Giepie Wentzel who toured Argentine as a fly half. He told me about how every Argentinian rugby club has pictures of Van Heerden and Danie Craven on prominent display. Yes we have developed a nation far more than NZ has done for Japan. And BTW Sa players were playing and coaching in Japan long before the Kiwis arrived. Fourie du Preez and many others were playing there 15 years ago.

"Isaac Van Heerden's reputation as an innovative coach had spread to Argentina, and he was invited to Buenos Aires to help the Pumas prepare for their first visit to South Africa in 1965.[1][2] Despite Argentina faring badly in this tour,[2] it was the start of a long and happy relationship between Van Heerden and the Pumas. Izak van Heerden took leave from his teaching post in Durban, relocated to Argentina, learnt fluent Spanish, and would revolutionise Argentine play in the late 1960s, laying the way open for great players such as Hugo Porta.[1][2] Van Heerden virtually invented the "tight loose" form of play, an area in which the Argentines would come to excel, and which would become a hallmark of their playing style. The Pumas repaid the initial debt, by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park, and emerged as one of the better modern rugby nations, thanks largely to the talents of this Durban schoolmaster.[1]"

After the promise made by Junior Springbok manager JF Louw at the end of a 12-game tour to Argentina in 1959 – ‘I will do everything to ensure we invite you to tour our country’ – there were concerns about the strength of Argentinian rugby. South African Rugby Board president Danie Craven sent coach Izak van Heerden to help the Pumas prepare and they repaid the favour by beating the Junior Springboks at Ellis Park.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.

It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I think this debate is avoiding the elephant in the room. Money. According to the URC chief executive Martin Anayi, the inclusion of SA teams has doubled the income of the URC. There is no doubt that the SA teams benefit from the URC but so do the other countries' teams. Perhaps it doesn't affect a club like Leinster but the less well off clubs benefit hugely from South African games' TV income. I don't think SA continued inclusion in the URC is a slam dunk. They don't hold all the cards by a long way - but they do have an ace in the hole. The Ace of Diamonds.

158 Go to comments

GrahamVF 2 hours ago

How Wallace Sititi humbly reacted to All Blacks Player of the Year honour