Rugby: Kiwis in Europe update

Jimmy Gopperth. Photo / Wayne Drought

Jimmy Gopperth may be 32 and in the twilight of his career, but the former Hurricane and Blues first five can still add value to his team.

His 23 points, including a try, helped his London Wasps club to a 36-10 away victory in round four of the European Champions Cup over the weekend and sealed his man-of-the-match award.

Teammate Alapati Leiua, another former Hurricane, came off the bench to score a try for Wasps. Also in the starting line-up were wings Frank Halai and Charles Piutau and No 8 Nathan Hughes.

Gopperth's was not the only Kiwi man-of-the-match effort in Europe. Leicester Tigers fullback Telusa Veainu, formerly of Canterbury and Hawke's Bay, continued his rich vein of form, his trysaving tackle on former All Black Francis Saili helping his club to a 17-6 win over Munster. Lock Mike FitzGerald and No 7 Brendon O'Connor, tipped to play for England in the Six Nations, also started for the Tigers.

There were three other Champions Cup away victories. Ulster, with Sean Reidy at openside, reeled off their second win on the bounce over Toulouse, 25-23.

Glasgow Warriors, with Grayson Hart a halfback replacement, edged Scarlets 9-6. Otago's Michael Collins turned out at fullback for Scarlets.

Toulon beat Leinster 20-16 in Dublin. Ma'a Nonu was again at second five, while Tom Taylor kicked two important goals off the bench.

Former Counties Manukau Steeler and Chief Fritz Lee scored a try from No 8 as Clermont thrashed Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs 42-10, the latter copping a yellow card.

There were no less than nine New Zealanders in action at Northampton, where the home side and Racing-Metro battled to a 9-all stalemate. Dan Carter kicked three penalty goals for the Parisians.

A try to wing Fetu'u Vainikolo was nowhere near enough for Oyonnax, who fell 55-13 at Saracens. Former Taranaki and Tonga No 8 Samuela Vunisa scored a brace for Sarries.
Another former Taranaki pair in Jayden Hayward and Chris Smylie combined in the halves for Treviso, who lost 40-14 to Stade Francais.

In the second-tier Challenge Cup, fullback Mils Muliaina scored a late try as his Italian club Zebre beat Jason Eaton's La Rochelle 25-5. Brive comfortably beat Robbie Malneek's Enisei 33-3, while Montpellier edged Cardiff Blues 23-22. Rey Lee-Lo (12) and Jarrad Hoeata (4) were in the Cardiff starting XV.

There was plenty of Kiwi impact in Grenoble, as the home side defeated Agen 48-45. Former Chiefs and Bay of Plenty wing Tino Nemani scored a brace, while second five Nigel Hunt also crossed the tryline.

Loosies Mike Coman and new Scottish international John Hardie, plus No 10 Phil Burleigh, all appeared for Edinburgh in their 18-15 win over Ben Franks' London Irish.

Conrad Smith made his long-awaited debut, off the bench, as Pau crashed 17-34 at home to Nick Crosswell's Dragons. Colin Slade slotted a conversion for the vanquished.

First five Ben Botica, standing in for Nick Evans, helped himself to 19 points for Harlequins in their 59-7 shellacking of Calvisano. Winston Stanley played at centre for Quins.

Centre Johnny Leota and No 8 Viliami Fihaki both scored tries in Sale Sharks' 31-10 win over David Smith's Castres.

Newcastle Falcons, with Tana Takalua at halfback and loose forward Richard Mayhew entering the fray as a sub, defeated George Naoupu's Connacht 29-5.

The postponed European games from last month will be played on the weekend of January 8-10.