1
While the All Blacks had another comfortable win over the Pumas over the weekend, there were plenty of other New Zealanders playing a bit of footy in the European competitions too. Here’s a look at the highs, but it’s also worth mentioning that the Kiwi-stacked Gloucester got absolutely demolished by Sale.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jamison Gibson-Park, Leinster
The former Blues, Hurricanes and Maori All Black came off the bench in Leinster’s 21-13 win over Edinburgh late, but it was a good thing for them he did. He ended up scoring the match-clinching try in the 74th minute in crazy circumstances after a horrible clearance landed one metre out from the Edinburgh tryline.
Johnny McNicholl, Scarlets
Another man to get his name on the scoresheet was former Canterbury and Crusaders winger McNicholl. Touted as a probable All Black during his time in Christchurch, he ploughed over early in the game to help set up a high-scoring 36-27 win over Connacht. McNicholl also made five tackles.
Toby Arnold, Lyon
Yet another try scorer, this time in the Top 14. Arnold, originally from the Bay of Plenty and an All Black Sevens rep, dotted down after running a beautiful inside line. It was part of a 20-17 win over Racing 92, Lyon’s first ever win at the Parisian glamour club’s home ground.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfk4aKGFJXw
Victor Vito, La Rochelle
The former All Black and Hurricane had a massive game for the second-placed team on the table, but it couldn’t help them from suffering their first loss of the season. They went down 26-20 to Toulon, despite Vito making 14 tackles and running 65m with ball in hand off 13 carries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZCamhgLKkE
Aaron Cruden, Montpellier
The man with the million dollar price tag had an armchair ride in his side’s 54-10 win over Brive, with the former All Black first five making seven tackles and kicking a couple of conversions for good measure. Outside him, former Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo grabbed a hattrick of tries.
ADVERTISEMENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbmX-duYS2M
