Thomas Waldrom. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealanders are to the forefront as the big European rugby competitions enter the business end of a long season.
None shone brighter last weekend than Exeter Chiefs No 8 Thomas Waldrom, the former Hurricane and Crusader. The 32-year-old scored two tries in a man of the match effort as Exeter beat fellow Aviva Premiership playoffs contender Saracens 24-20. Waldrom played five tests for England but now finds his path blocked by the likes of Ben Morgan and Billy Vunipola. Waldrom did not have the skillset to threaten the All Blacks, but his vigorous ball carrying is gold on the heavy fields of England.
With one round to play, Exeter are in a dogfight with Leicester and Saracens for the last two semifinal berths.
The Tigers, who included former Hawke's Bay and Manu Samoa prop Logovi'i Mulipola and the ageless Brad Thorn in their XV, beat Wasps 26-21. Nick Evans' four goals were not enough for Harlequins, who were edged 27-26 by second placed Bath.
Sale Sharks are out of contention, but the Kiwis contributed heavily to their 34-28 win over Newcastle Falcons. There were tries to Sam Tuitupou and TJ Ioane, while others to feature were captain Daniel Braid, Johnny Leota and former Crusader and Hurricane Michael Paterson. Former North Harbour loosie Richard Mayhew scored for the Falcons.
The Saints marched on at the top, Northampton blanking relegation-bound London Welsh 46-0, with Ahsee Tuala scoring a try from fullback and James Wilson, off the bench, slotting two goals. Chris Noakes kicked a penalty goal in London Irish's 35-13 loss to Gloucester.
The Guinness PRO12 semifinalists are sorted, and there will ironically be precious few Kiwis involved amongst Ulster, Munster, Ospreys and Glasgow, other than Ulster's Kiwi-Irish centre Jared Payne.
Pat Lam, who must be shaking his head at the latest developments at his old Super Rugby franchise, has guided Connacht into seventh position after they dispatched Zebre 40-10. Brendon Leonard scored a try for Zebre.
Hadleigh Parkes' Scarlets beat Cardiff Blues, for whom Gareth Anscombe was at fullback. The Dragons of Newport-Gwent, with Boris Stankovich at prop and Nick Crosswell at No 6, beat Phil Burleigh's Edinburgh 19-5.
In the French Top 14, there are still two more rounds ahead of the playoffs and June 13 final.
Toulon are leading the way, as ever, their five Kiwis helping the side to a 37-21 over Castres, who included No 10 Dan Kirkpatrick, former All Blacks loosehead prop Saimone Taumoepeau and former New Zealand Under 20s bookend Paea Fa'anunu.
La Rochelle's playoffs hopes hang by a thread after a 16-all draw with Lyon. Hikairo Forbes, Jason Eaton and Romana Graham were up against the Lyon Kiwi trio of Toby Arnold, Lachine Munro and Hoani Tui.
Toulouse hit their straps with a 67-19 pumping of Brive. Former North Harbour and Tonga No 12 Andrew Mailei turned out for Brive, but Toulouse were on fire, hooker Corey Flynn crossing for a try. Benson Stanley and Mike Delany featured in Clermont's 37-17 win over Grenoble, bouncing backs swiftly from their European Champions Cup disappointment.
A yellow card to Tom Donnelly did not deter Montpellier from getting the better, 33-16, of Joe Rokocoko's Bayonne. Bordeaux-Begles defeated Oyonnax 26-23 in an encounter laced with no less than eight Kiwis.