Kiwis in Europe: All Blacks feature for new clubs

Ma'a Nonu made his debut for French side Toulon. Photo / AFP

All Blacks are gradually filtering into their new clubs after the latest weekend of rugby action in Europe.

Colin Slade finally debuted, off the bench, for his new French club Pau in their 15-all draw with Racing-Metro in the Top 14. Lock Daniel Ramsay and prop Chris King also featured for the southwest club, while Conrad Smith cannot be far from his post-RWC return.

Ma'a Nonu played at second five, inside the mercurial Mathieu Bastareaud, for his first run in Toulon's 53-23 hiding of Agen.

Hosea Gear was also at second five as his Clermont side tipped up Brive 26-21 away from home.

The boot of Auckland skipper Simon Hickey guided Bordeaux-Begles home 24-21 at Stade Francais, while former Chief Jamie Mackintosh copped a yellow card in his first outing, off the bench, for Montpellier as they lost 34-19 at Castres, for whom David Smith was on the left wing.

Lock Romana Graham was also yellow-carded but his indiscretion did not cost La Rochelle as they defeated Grenoble 33-16.

Luke McAlister scored a try for Toulouse in their 27-3 win over Oyonnax, who now prop up the table. The Kiwis there - among them No 8 Viliami Ma'afu, props Soane Tonga'uiha and Stan Wright, wing Fetu'u Vainikolo and lock Leon Power - might just be feeling the pinch.

In the Guinness PRO12, Mils Muliaina finally ran out at fullback for his Italian club Zebre, but they were beaten 39-22 by Ospreys, for whom former New Zealand Under 20s and Highlanders prop Ma'afu Fia entered the fray off the bench.

Scarlets confirmed No 1 position on the log after edging Treviso 22-20 away from home with Regan King and Hadleigh Parkes combining in midfield. Second five Sam Christie scored a try for Treviso, but to no avail.

Nick Williams' Ulster beat Phil Burleigh and Mike Coman's Edinburgh 14-7, while Connacht missed a chance to go top, falling 20-16 at Cardiff Blues, who included centre Rey Lee-Lo and lock Jarrad Hoeata.

The Glasgow-Leinster clash was postponed.

In England's Aviva Premiership, Saracens continued on their merry, unbeaten way, former Taranaki No 8 Samuela Vunisa scoring a try in their 38-3 thumping of Newcastle Falcons. Nili Latu was at No 8 for the Falcons, while former Tonga, Blues and Northland halfback Sonatane Takalua featured off the pine.

The star Kiwi turn saw a hat-trick of tries by No 8 Thomas Waldrom as the Exeter Chiefs upset Wasps 41-27 in Coventry. Jimmy Gopperth kicked five goals for Wasps, while wing Frank Halai again dotted down.

Northampton Saints, with George Pisi against at centre, upset Bath 13-11 at The Rec.
Fullback Telusa Veainu was once more among the tries as the Leicester Tigers beat Bryce Heem's Worcester Warriors 29-20. Five goals by Nick Evans in Harlequins' 38-7 win helped keep London Irish rooted to the bottom of the table, while Willi Heinz, John Afoa and Jeremy Thrush all helped Gloucester to a 23-19 win over Sale Sharks.

The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup resume with round three this weekend. Dan Carter should make his long-awaited debut for Racing-Metro against Northampton Saints at Colombes on Saturday. Carter may get to come up against his old Crusaders teammates, halfback Kahn Fotuali'i and lock Michael Paterson.