<p>Good luck winning any turover ball with him as your no.7.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="hydro11" data-cid="546281" data-time="1449364119">
<div>
<p>Sounds like some drums have been beating for Brendan O'Connor to be England's new fetcher.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Something looks odd reading that a bloke named Brendon Ryan O'Connor is qualified though his grandmother for England??</p>
<p>I saw a good stink just now, i assume it's from France. French rugby is great for an old-fashioned all-in</p>
<p>Ali Williams is Dan Carter's new media manager?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/07/dan-carter-all-blacks-ali-williams-minder-racing-92-northampton-european-champions-cup'>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/07/dan-carter-all-blacks-ali-williams-minder-racing-92-northampton-european-champions-cup</a></p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="546512" data-time="1449530254">
<div>
<p>Something looks odd reading that a bloke named Brendon Ryan O'Connor is qualified though his grandmother for England??</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>With first name and last name initials like that he should be playing for South Africa..</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tim" data-cid="546526" data-time="1449534451">
<div>
<p>Ali Williams is Dan Carter's new media manager?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/07/dan-carter-all-blacks-ali-williams-minder-racing-92-northampton-european-champions-cup'>http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/dec/07/dan-carter-all-blacks-ali-williams-minder-racing-92-northampton-european-champions-cup</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Makes sense, Ali clearly speaks French.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By speaking English slowly, it a sort of French accent</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugbyonslaught.com/2015/06/ali-williams-does-speaking-english-in.html'>http://www.rugbyonslaught.com/2015/06/ali-williams-does-speaking-english-in.html</a></p>
<p>Irish rugby having to contend with a lot of English and French cash sloshing around and getting players contracts renewed and keeping them with the provinces.<br>
<br>
Lots of rumours flying around about players such as Madigan (who reportedly has an offer of €500k on the table from English first division side, Bristol. Premiership side, Harlequins are also inquiring as well as two French clubs. Other players like O'Brien, Murray, Henshaw, Healy are up for negotiations. Ideally, the IRFU can offer them revised terms and possibly move them around the provinces to ensure more first choice games, and balance out some of the stocks with Leinster supply too many players to the test squad. With foreign player quotas reducing again, the importance of bringing through players from each of the provinces academies can't be understated. But the last line in the article is disappointing in seeking to find a scrum-half in NZ and gaining him through residency. There's an Irish scrum-half, John Hart, playing abroad in France for Grenoble in the Top 14, under his Irish coach, Bernard Jackman. He's only 22/23, the IRFU/Leinster should target him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The following report in The Irish Times gives a useful update on what might be happening in the various negotiations led by Performance Director, David Nucifora.<br>
<br>
<br><br><br><br><img src="http://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.2457832.1449522708!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_620_330/image.jpg" alt="image.jpg"><br>
Ian Madigan, who is out of contract with Leinster this summer, is waiting to hear from the IRFUâ€
s high performance director David Nucifora, with an offer from Bristol worth €500,000 a season already on the table. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho<br><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">The <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=IRFU&article=true'>IRFU</a> want <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Ian Madigan&article=true'>Ian Madigan</a> to join Munster next season. Thatâ€s presuming they keep the 26-year-old in Ireland by coming close to matching lucrative offers from English and French clubs.<br>
Madigan, who is out of contract with <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Leinster&article=true'>Leinster</a> this summer, is awaiting a formal offer from the unionâ€s high performance director David Nucifora after Bristol tabled €500,000 a season for the place-kicking outhalf-cum-inside centre.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"><br>
Along with that deal offered by billionaire Stephen Lansdown, owner of Bristol Rugby and Bristol City FC, three other foreign clubs are seeking Madiganâ€s signature. Harlequins currently look the most enticing option as he would be joining an established Premiership club to work alongside Conor Oâ€Shea (Bristol are expected to be promoted from the Championship).<br>
“The English clubs are now in play [financially] which probably wasnâ€t the case even two or three years ago,†said <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Johnny Sexton&article=true'>Johnny Sexton</a>. “I think players have a decision to make. If you want to be starting for Ireland week in week out and looked after under the Irish system, you obviously need to stay here. <br>
“But there are other guys who need to go and get game time and are obviously not going to get that in the provinces, so you wouldnâ€t blame them for going abroad and getting that game time, and they might get more exposure there.â€</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"><br><em>The Irish Times </em>can also confirm preliminary discussions have taken place with Madiganâ€s representative and French clubs Bordeaux-Begles and Montpellier.<br>
Getting Madigan to sign his first national contract and join Anthony Foleyâ€s Munster would mean Irelandâ€s three outhalves at the World Cup – Sexton in Leinster and Paddy Jackson in Ulster – could all regularly feature in a provincial number 10 jersey next season. Munster lost outhalf JJ Hanrahan to Northampton last summer. </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">The other major contracts currently being negotiated are Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Conor Murray, Cian Healy and Seán Oâ€Brien. Henshaw is believed to be Leinster-bound, especially if Madigan went to Munster, with Ben Teâ€o almost certain to leave the province. </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">The current exchange rate between euro and sterling (£1 to €1.39) severely weakens the negotiating positions of the IRFU and the provinces, particularly when enticing or keeping foreign players or established internationals.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"><br>
“Itâ€s different for every player,†Sexton continued. “I can only speak for myself; I had two great years away and really enjoyed myself but the most important thing for me was playing for Ireland and I only realised that when I was gone.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">“I wasnâ€t able to do that to the best of my ability in terms of coming home for Six Nations and going back [to France] for games in between and not getting that rest between Six Nations matches.â€<br>
Sexton was asked if a time would come when all Irish players who do go to England or France could expect to be called by the Ireland coach.<br>
“I was very lucky that I was still getting picked when I was abroad but is it worth some guys going and sacrificing two years to get game time? I donâ€t know. Thatâ€s questions for those guys.<br>
“The best place for an Irish international is at home. Hopefully we will retain most of those guys – hopefully all of them.â€<br>
Henshawâ€s proposed move to Dublin may also indirectly see a loosening of Leinsterâ€s grip on their three international tightheads and overflowing backrow stocks.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">Tadhg Furlong is signed up for two years but Mike Ross and Marty Moore are both soon to be out of contract. Last season Moore signed a one-year extension at the same time Ross got a single-season deal despite seeking two years.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"> </p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;">However, the expected changing of the tighthead guard has yet to happen with Ireland or Leinster due to Mooreâ€s injury profile and an Indian summer by Ross. <br>
One of them, probably Ross, could move to Galway should Rodney Ah You be redirected to Ulster. Ross is 36 this month but has stated his desire to continue playing next season. <br>
Regarding the Leinster backrow, Josh van der Flier has already made an impression in his first season on a professional contract, while Dan Leavy and Dominic Ryan are also waiting in line behind Rhys Ruddock, Jack Conan, <a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_person=Jamie Heaslip&article=true'>Jamie Heaslip</a>, Oâ€Brien and Jordi Murphy.</p>
<p style="margin-left:40px;"><br>
Leinster have also narrowed down their search for a new scrumhalf to a three-man short list. The main recruiting area is New Zealand with a view to naturalising the player through residency. <br>
Isaac Boss and Eoin Reddan are both 35, while 22-year-old Luke McGrath has yet to dislodge the Irish internationals from Leo Cullenâ€s starting XV.</p>
<p>DC starting for Racing outside the glacial service of Pikey Mikey</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm quite keen to see how our world cup hero stacks up. I wouldn't complain if he just phoned it in but he's a bit classier than that. Reckon he might have to duck and weave off the ball a bit though</p>
<p> </p>
<p>He's got Casey Laulala, Roks and Masoe to help him out too</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I guess Racing is my new favourite french club - previously it was "I couldn't give 2 fucks" </p>
<p>Thomas Waldrom was man of the match in the Exeter Chiefs' bonus point win over Clermont (31-14), having scored two tries. Last week, he scored a hat-trick. Makes me wonder, again, why he was not in the English RWC squad. He was a top try scorer last year, too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One of the two Clermont tries was scored by Hosea Gear.</p>
<p>So I watched 4 games of European rugby in the weekend</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ulster - Toulouse</p>
<p>Racing 92 - Northampton</p>
<p>Munster - Leicester</p>
<p>Toulon - Leinster</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kiwis involved: Williams (Ulster), Flynn, McAlister (Toulouse), Tameifuna, Masoe, Carter, Laulala, Rococoko (Racing), Paterson (NH), Saili (Munster), Fitzgerald, O'Connor (Leicester), Nonu, Taylor (Toulon), Boss, Nacewa (Leinster)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fat Nick Williams went OK for Ulster, got a try. McAlister was awful for Toulouse at 10. Carter went OK, but Rococoko was the best Kiwi there, Nonu was well managed by Leinster.</p>
20 days later
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
'>
</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="550404" data-time="1451850610">
<div>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
'>
</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That's a bit rough on Ma'a TBF he did have have two men to mark.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>That's a bit rough on Ma'a TBF he did have have two men to mark.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Billy Tell" data-cid="550404" data-time="1451850610">
<div>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='
'>
</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Great stuff from Snakey. He's an excellent signing for Pau. Not Nonu's fault alone. He was left marking two men and was in the right place for the interception if Conrad had passed. More guilty are Matt Stevens (23) who was marking Conrad Smith on the open side and failed to track his run and Mamuka Gorgodze (6) who was stuck in a offside position.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toulon won the game with Tom Taylor at fullback. Colin Slade was at 10.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Conrad leaves his old buddy grasping at thin air</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Great stuff from Snakey. He's an excellent signing for Pau. Not Nonu's fault alone. He was left marking two men and was in the right place for the interception if Conrad had passed. More guilty are Matt Stevens (23) who was marking Conrad Smith on the open side and failed to track his run and Mamuka Gorgodze (6) who was stuck in a offside position.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Toulon won the game with Tom Taylor at fullback. Colin Slade was at 10.</p>
<p>I watched a bit of Top 14 on the weekend (SF v someone i had never heard of, played on an artificial pitch?), and some other game, Toulouse i think. The quality i saw was so poor. The game plans were basic, and the skills really lacking. I was actually bored watching rugby, and that normally only happens when i am watching the Brumbies or the Stormers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>For SF Genia tried hard to create stuff, but with Morne Steyn at 10, it was not a match made in heaven. </p>
<p>I watched most of Toulon vs Toulouse last weekend and had much the same reaction as you all - very dour stuff.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I was very impressed with Nonu. He was unspectacular but it must be very hard for these guys heading into their 12th consecutive month of rugby after the biggest mental/physical challenge of their careers and to still be playing at a relatively high level.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>James O'Connor appears to be a big deal over there while being the same player he was in Super Rugby - occasional attacking flair (I wouldn't go so far as to say "brilliance") mixed in with poor decision making and limited physicality. Tom Taylor impressed.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="mariner4life" data-cid="550416" data-time="1451865166">
<div>
<p>I watched a bit of Top 14 on the weekend (SF v someone i had never heard of, played on an artificial pitch?), and some other game, Toulouse i think. The quality i saw was so poor. The game plans were basic, and the skills really lacking. I was actually bored watching rugby, and that normally only happens when i am watching the Brumbies or the Stormers. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>For SF Genia tried hard to create stuff, but with Morne Steyn at 10, it was not a match made in heaven. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Pure Brock James standing deep and kicking the ball constantly in an NPC game garbage.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="No Quarter" data-cid="550422" data-time="1451867810"><p>
It's gonna suck not having those two in Black this year.</p></blockquote>
<br>
It'll be fine. Slade was only a bit player at best and Taylor hasn't pulled on the black jumper in a couple of years. We will hardly miss them.
27 days later
<p>I haven't watched any European club rugby this weekend, but I just noticed that French media are saying that Clermont have signed Isaia Toeava on a short-term contract as medical cover for injured fullback Nick Abendanon (out for 3 months). Hasn't been confirmed by Clermont yet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.sports-auvergne.fr/rugby/asm/2016/01/31/l-asm-a-trouve-le-joker-medical-d-abendanon_11763058.html'>http://www.sports-auvergne.fr/rugby/asm/2016/01/31/l-asm-a-trouve-le-joker-medical-d-abendanon_11763058.html</a></p>
<p>The exodus to European Rugby looks to be seriously endangering the quality of Presidents Grade rugby in NZ as many of the Kiwis playing there appear to be eligible to be playing Pressies now or in the next year or three!</p>
<p>Update: French paper Midi Olympique writes that Toeava is about to sign not only a contract as medical cover for Nick Abendanon, but also a further 2 year contract.</p>
<p>Confirmed:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>[media]http://twitter.com/ASMOfficiel/status/694082325567524864[/media]</p>
Exeter Chiefs have signed Dave Dennis from NSW Waratahs. I freely admit I know next to nothing about this guy. What are the thoughts of the Fern cognoscenti? Rob Baxter (Exeter head coach) has made some inspired and under the radar signings over the past few years so I'm quite hopeful Dennis will be the nuts.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="555710" data-time="1454329119">
<div>
<p>Exeter Chiefs have signed Dave Dennis from NSW Waratahs. I freely admit I know next to nothing about this guy. What are the thoughts of the Fern cognoscenti? Rob Baxter (Exeter head coach) has made some inspired and under the radar signings over the past few years so I'm quite hopeful Dennis will be the nuts.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>I'm thinking your Tom Croft style of loose forward. He's quite athletic and quick and can be useful in the lineout. Not especially powerful, not really a breakdown threat. A linking sort of player. If you have the balance of your loose forward trio correct, he could be a decent enough acquisition.</p>
19 days later
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="560034" data-time="1456129341">
<div>
<p>David Smith has been ruled ineligible for France, having played for NZ in a seven tournament in 2008. He scored a try against Clermont this week end and was called by French coach Guy Noves to join Marcoussis where Les Bleus are training for the Friday evening game against Wales.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Is French rugby in that much of a hole that David Smith nearly made their national team?</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nepia" data-cid="560043" data-time="1456134618">
<div>
<p>Is French rugby in that much of a hole that David Smith nearly made their national team?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Guy Noves had a glittering coaching career at Toulouse for many years but has somewhat fallen away latterly. His previous record got him the gig for France. There is a school of thought that anyone could have coached THAT Toulouse side and that maybe he's not the Messiah after all. Anyway his first two match day squads for France showed A) Big changes from the previous regime and RWC squad and B) Then big changes again for the second game. It sort of reinforces the stereotype for mad French coaches. Perhaps Smith is just another example of this?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What i would say in conclusion is do not expect any logic to prevail in the near future.</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="560058" data-time="1456149034">
<div>
<p>With Huget, Bonneval, O'Connor and Thomas injured, with Guitoune and Naikataci out of favour, Clerc too old, Noves had to call someone new. In the Top 14, <strong>most of the wingers are foreigners</strong>, and not the best in the world (with the notable exception of Habana, Imhoff and Mitchell).</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>surely not!!</p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="cgrant" data-cid="560058" data-time="1456149034">
<div>
<p>With Huget, Bonneval, O'Connor and Thomas injured, with Guitoune and Naikataci out of favour, Clerc too old, Noves had to call someone new. In the Top 14, most of the wingers are foreigners, and not the best in the world (with the notable exception of Habana, Imhoff and Mitchell).</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>You have a point (although Clerc is still going pretty well in the T14) but I meant the whole squad was greatly changed, not suggesting it was simply a wing problem. The initial squad showed a shed load of new names, certainly enough to raise a few eyebrows and cause a few "who the fuck is he"? comments. Then more changes the following week. Sure Noves has had some injury problems but nowhere near as many as say Ireland and that hasn't led to many "who the fuck"? comments. It may be just perception but to me it just seems to re-enforce the idea of madness that often afflicts French selection.</p>
I'm watching Castre v Clermont and it's pretty fucking good. Kiwi wingers everywhere. Fritz Lee is a fucking beast. <br><br>
It's plenty open with a lot of running rugby mixed in with some brutal stuff up front.
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote">
<p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;">Kiwis in Europe: Toeava stars for Clermont</span></strong></span><br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">By Campbell Burnes</span></span><br><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">11:38 AM Monday Feb 29, 2016</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaia Toeava seems to have found a new home at French Top 14 club Clermont.</span></span><br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Luke McAlister was at fullback and scored a try but Toulouse fell 31-29 at home to Montpellier.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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).</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Francis Saili's try was decisive as his Munster edged Treviso 16-13, for whom fullback Jayden Hayward kicked three goals.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Leinster's Isa Nacewa kicked three goals in a 27-10 victory at Mils Muliaina's Zebre.<br>
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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Nick Crosswell's Dragons went down 18-15 to Glasgow.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In the European Nations Cup/Six Nations B, at least four New Zealanders featured in the latest round.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">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.</span></span><br>
<br><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">- NZ Herald </span></span></p>
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<p>Very brutal game between Toulouse (with Census Johnston, Edwin Maka, Paul Perez and Luke McAllister) and Montpellier.</p>
<p>Montpellier is coached by Jake White and fields a lot of SA players : three Du Plessis (among them Bismarck and Jan), Willemsee at lock, Liebenberg on the flank, Catrakilis at 1st 5/8, François Steyn and Ebersohn in midfield. Pierre Spies was in the stands. A few Aussies complete the team (Jesse Mogg and Ben Lucas - Nick White and Ben Mowen did not play).</p>
<p>I suppose this is the best place to mention Weepu. Now playing Div 6 French club rugby thanks to Sivivatu's contacts. Sad to read about how his overseas rugby career has stalled.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77343644/former-all-black-piri-weepu-joins-club-in-sixth-tier-of-french-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77343644/former-all-black-piri-weepu-joins-club-in-sixth-tier-of-french-rugby</a></p>
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Bovidae" data-cid="561632" data-time="1456735023">
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<p>I suppose this is the best place to mention Weepu. Now playing Div 6 French club rugby thanks to Sivivatu's contacts. Sad to read about how his overseas rugby career has stalled.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77343644/former-all-black-piri-weepu-joins-club-in-sixth-tier-of-french-rugby'>http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/77343644/former-all-black-piri-weepu-joins-club-in-sixth-tier-of-french-rugby</a></p>
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<p>What is the deal there? The bit about "try to get match fit" isn't great. In theory he should be oustanding in French rugby, its slow as fuck. How unfit is he now?</p>
<p>Former All Black and Crusader Corey Flynn will be moving from to Toulouse to Glasgow after this Top14 season. He has signed a two year contract with the Glasgow Warriors.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/16/02/29/former-all-black-flynn-join-club-next-season'>http://www.glasgowwarriors.org/news/16/02/29/former-all-black-flynn-join-club-next-season</a></p>
8 days later