Kiwis in Europe: Piutau, Halai star for Wasps

Charles Piutau in action for Wasps. Photo / Getty

On a weekend in Europe when rugby didn't seem so important, London Wasps made the biggest on-field statement during round one of the European Champions Cup.

Wasps hammered three-time champions Leinster 33-6 in Dublin, with fullback Charlie Piutau again in the thick of the action, scoring a try and being a constant danger on the counter-attack.

His old Blues teammate Frank Halai was also in strong form on the left wing. Former Auckland loose forward Nathan Hughes was at No 8 for Wasps. Former Blues, North Harbour and Maori All Black lock Hayden Triggs came off the bench for Leinster.

Another former North Harbour player, wing Ken Pisi, scored a crucial early try as his Northampton Saints edged Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets 15-11.

Brendon Leonard was at halfback as his Ospreys defeated Exeter Chiefs 25-13.

Toulouse, with Luke McAlister at 10 and Joe Tekori at lock, were outplayed 32-7 by Saracens. Francis Saili was marking Jayden Hayward as Munster beat Treviso by the same score.

Just before the terror attacks on Friday night in Europe, home side Leicester Tigers beat Parisian club Stade Francais 33-20, helped by a try to new signing, former Blues and Hawke's Bay No 7 Brendon O'Connor. Stade Francais centre Paul Williams scored a try but to no avail.

In the second tier Challenge Cup, London Irish opened up to the tune of 48-10 over Agen, fullback Sean Maitland scoring a try and first five Chris Noakes slotting four conversions. Former Chiefs and Canterbury lock Matt Symons skippered the Exiles.

Former North Harbour No 8 Jim Tuivaiti appeared for Calvisano in their 50-9 reverse to Rey Lee-Lo and Jarrad Hoeata's Cardiff Blues.

Connacht, with Bundee Aki and George Naoupu in the starting line-up, won 31-14 in Siberia against Enisei.

Former All Blacks lock Jeremy Thrush's first outing for Gloucester was a winning one, 23-10 over Zebre.

The Dragons beat Sale Sharks 30-12. Former Tonga and Counties Manukau No 8 Viliami Fihaki turned out for the Sharks.

A red card to wing Tino Nemani did not help Grenoble's cause as they lost 28-10 to Edinburgh.

Former Northland rep William Whetton, son of Gray Whetton, turned out at No 8 in Brive's 13-9 win over Newcastle Falcons, for whom Richard Mayhew was at blindside flanker.

Nick Evans kicked four goals to help Harlequins to a 41-18 victory over Anthony Tuitavake's Montpellier.

All five European games on French soil - including the Racing-Metro v Glasgow Champions Cup clash - were postponed and details of the rescheduling will be made public this week.

A raft of Kiwis are on the Racing-Metro books - Ben Tameifuna, Ross Filipo, Chris Masoe, Casey Laulala and Joe Rokocoko will be joined by Dan Carter next week.

The calendar is already congested, with the second round of European fixtures due to be played this weekend. There are three Champions Cup clashes set for France, including Stade Francais hosting Munster at Paris' Stade Jean Bouin, while five games of Challenge Cup rugby are scheduled in the republic.