Kiwis in Europe: Jimmy Gopperth show continues

Jimmy Gopperth of Wasps. Photo / Getty

The Jimmy Gopperth show continues at London Wasps.

The 33-year-old former Hurricanes and Blues, not to mention Junior All Blacks pivot, now playing second five outside Danny Cipriani, scored 15 points in Wasps' 20-15 Aviva Premiership victory at Northampton.

That tally included a try for the veteran, who is worth his weight in gold at the club.
Saints had four New Zealanders in their line-up - the Pisi brothers, Ken, who copped a yellow card, and George, plus Michael Paterson and Ahsee Tuala.

Three goals from Mike Delany helped his Newcastle Falcons to a 19-18 win at Gloucester, who fielded Joe Latta, John Afoa, Tom Marshall and Willi Heinz. The Falcons had Sinoti Sinoti and Tane Takalua in their ranks.

No 8 Thomas Waldrom picked up a brace as his Exeter Chiefs beat Bristol 41-17. The latter included Tusi Pisi, lock Mark Sorenson, Jack Lam and Soane Tonga'uiha.

Worcester Warriors, with Jackson Willison at No 12, drew 34-all with Sale Sharks, for whom prop Halani Aulika scored a try. Johnny Leota and Bryn Evans also took the field.

A try to flanker Brendon O'Connor helped Leicester to a 34-14 win over Dan Bowden and Kahn Fotuali'i of Bath.

There were some topsy-turvy results in the French Top 14.

Centre Tom Taylor kicked Pau to a 39-38 win at Grenoble. His 24 points included six penalty goals as he assumed the kicking duties from Colin Slade, who was at first five.

Daniel Ramsay and Jamie Mackintosh came off the pine for Pau. For Grenoble, Sona Taumalolo scored a try and incurred a yellow card, while Tino Nemani and Steven Setephano also featured.

Luke Braid scored a try, and also copped a yellow as Bordeaux-Begles defeated Lyon 32-10. Mike Harris, Toby Arnold, Ti'i Paulo and Josh Bekhuis all started for Lyon.

A try to hooker Hikairo Forbes helped La Rochelle to a 34-17 win over Bayonne, for whom Kade Poki played on the right wing.

David Smith's Castres upset Dan Carter's Racing-Metro 31-23. Carter kicked two goals for the vanquished.

Benson Stanley was, surprisingly, the only Kiwi involved, off the bench, as Clermont fell 23-21 at Toulon.

Blindside flanker William Whetton scored a try for Brive in their 42-13 defeat at Montpellier, for whom Ben Botica slotted two goals and Nemani Nadolo crossed for a hat-trick.

Joe Tekori's Toulouse beat Paul Williams' Stade Francais 23-18.

In the Guinness PRO12, a try to former Blues and North Harbour lock Filo Paulo helped Treviso to a 27-11 win over the Dragons. Dean Budd was at No 8 and Jayden Hayward at fullback for Treviso.

Log leaders Ospreys, with prop Ma'afu Fia off the bench, fell 31-19 at Leinster, who fielded Isa Nacewa and Jamison Gibson-Park.

Wayne Pivac got one over Pat Lam as Scarlets, with Hadleigh Parkes in the midfield, edged Connacht 17-8. Jake Heenan was at openside flanker for Connacht.

Cardiff Blues, with Nick Williams, Rey Lee-Lo and Gareth Anscombe, defeated Zebre 23-21. Tyler Bleyendaal kicked four goals as Munster beat Edinburgh 28-14. Flanker John Hardie scored a try for the Gunners.

Ulster, with Jared Payne, Charlie Piutau, Sean Reidy and Rodney Ah You in the ranks, beat Corey Flynn's Glasgow 22-17.