Kiwis in Europe: Toeava stars for Clermont

Clermont's fullback Isaia Toeava. Photo / Getty

Isaia Toeava seems to have found a new home at French Top 14 club Clermont.

The former All Blacks utility back, now 30, scored a try as Clermont hammered Oyonnax 44-16. His teammate, No 8 Fritz Lee, is showing him the ropes.

Oyonnax, who last month terminated the contract of Piri Weepu, now popping up at sixth tier club Saint Sulpice (in the Honneur division), fielded Roimata Hansell-Pune at No 12, lock Leon Power and prop Soane Tonga'uiha.

Dan Carter's Racing-Metro came unstuck, with a 13-9 reverse at home to David Smith's Castres. Carter kicked three penalty goals, while Ben Tameifuna and Chris Masoe also started. Smith may have wished he was playing for France in Cardiff, were it not for the small matter of his 2008 appearance for the New Zealand Sevens side. Someone should have told the French federation of the Steve Devine case, when the former Australian Sevens rep was granted a dispensation to change his eligibility to New Zealand at the start of the millennium.

Luke McAlister was at fullback and scored a try but Toulouse fell 31-29 at home to Montpellier.

A late try to former Waikato No 8 Rory Grice saw Grenoble to an upset 33-18 win at Stade Francais, who fielded Paul Williams at second five.

Colin Slade kicked a penalty for Pau, but they are far from clear of the relegation zone after a 3-15 home loss to Bordeaux-Begles. Conrad Smith started at centre for Pau, while Hugh Chalmers wore the No 7 jersey for the visitors, with Peter Saili and Luke Braid off the bench.

Tom Taylor, who kept Quade Cooper on the pine, scored a try as Toulon smashed Brive 44-15. George Tilsley scored a vital brace from the wing as Agen, battling hard to avoid the drop again, beat Romana Graham's La Rochelle 31-27.

In the Guinness PRO12, an early try to centre Bundee Aki set Connacht on the way to beating Ospreys 30-22. Starting in the Connacht pack were Tom McCartney (2), Jake Heenan (7), and George Naoupu (8).

Francis Saili's try was decisive as his Munster edged Treviso 16-13, for whom fullback Jayden Hayward kicked three goals.

Leinster's Isa Nacewa kicked three goals in a 27-10 victory at Mils Muliaina's Zebre.
Cardiff Blues, featuring Rey Lee-Lo and Jarrad Hoeata, upset Nick Williams' Ulster 23-12, while a try to No 10 Phil Burleigh proved vital as Edinburgh saw off Scarlets 23-22, despite a try to Hadleigh Parkes.

Nick Crosswell's Dragons went down 18-15 to Glasgow.

In England's Aviva Premiership, Siale Piutau, partnered in midfield with brother Charles, scored a try as Wasps hammered Harlequins 42-10. Bay of Plenty halfback Jono Kitto also crossed the whitewash as Leicester crushed Sean Maitland's London Irish 47-20.

Tries to Johnny Leota and TJ Ioane helped Sale Sharks to a 36-all draw with Saracens. George Pisi scored a try as his Northampton Saints beat Bryce Heem's Worcester Warriors 38-18.

Exeter Chiefs, with Thomas Waldrom again at No 8, defeated Bath 26-17, while Willi Heinz, John Afoa and Jeremy Thrush started in Gloucester's 32-6 win over Newcastle.
In the European Nations Cup/Six Nations B, at least four New Zealanders featured in the latest round.

Former Otago threequarter Paula Kinikinilau played centre and former Warriors junior Steve Shennan on the wing as Romania blanked Russia 30-0, while two ex-pat New Zealand first fives did their jobs for their adopted countries. Former North Otago and Wairarapa-Bush No 10 Jeremy Te Huia appeared for Germany in their decisive 50-27 win over Portugal, while former Otago pivot Dan Snee ran the cutter for Spain in their 38-7 defeat by Georgia.