Rugby: Kiwis in Europe - Strong NZ influence in French league

Joe Rokocoko scored for Bayonne in a defeat to Toulouse. Photo / Getty Images

Oyonnax may be seen by some as an unfashionable French Top 14 club, but try telling that to the five players of New Zealand rugby background who helped engineer a stunning 11-10 away win over the equally Kiwi-laden and much wealthier Clermont.

Lock Leon Power, No 8 Viliami Ma'afu, replacement hooker Paul Ngauamo, wing Alaska Taufa and prop Soane Tonga'uiha tasted a rare win for any team visiting Stade Michelin.

Tonga'uiha scored a second half try which proved critical for the visitors, who stay in the playoffs hunt.

The four Kiwis at Toulouse celebrated a 20-17 win over Bayonne. Luke McAlister, wearing the No 12 jersey, slotted three goals for Toulouse, while Joe Rokocoko, back on the wing, scored a try for Bayonne.

Sitiveni Sivivatu's Castres scored a vital 22-20 win over Bordeaux-Begles, for whom Peter Saili was at No 8.

Toulon rested most of their gun New Zealanders, barring Rudi Wulf, but still defeated Grenoble 35-24. All of Grenoble's tries were scored by players with Kiwi connections - No 8 Rory Grice with a brace, and midfielders Jackson Willison and Nigel Hunt, while South African replacement prop Albertus Buckle, who had a stint in 2006 with Wairarapa-Bush, also crossed the whitewash.

Montpellier, who fielded Anthony Tuitavake, Tom Donnelly and Chris King, drew 24-all with Racing-Metro.

In England's Aviva Premiership, Harlequins No 10 Nick Evans slotted five goals, while former Chiefs and Fiji wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma appeared at centre, as Quins edged John Afoa's Gloucester 29-26. A try to fullback James Wilson was not enough for leaders Northampton Saints, who went down 21-10 to Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs. Alapati Leiua, at second five, and Sailosi Tagicakibau, scored tries in Wasps' 40-13 defeat of London Welsh, while Chris Noakes' four goals helped London Irish to a 25-23 win over Daniel Braid's Sale Sharks.

In the Guinness PRO12, Gareth Anscombe kicked three goals from fullback as his Cardiff Blues went down 36-17 to Glasgow. A Connacht side missing Mils Muliaina lost 27-20 to Jared Payne's Ulster. Connacht fielded a five-eighths combination of former Tasman and Taranaki No 10 Miah Nikora and former Chief and Steeler Bundee Aki.

Nick Crosswell shifted to blindside as his Dragons beat Leinster 25-22, No 10 Jimmy Gopperth scoring a try and three goals for the losers.

This weekend sees the semifinals of the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.