Kiwis in Europe: Injury blow for Shields

Brad Shields’ Gallagher Premiership debut has ended in a broken cheekbone which now threatens his involvement in the November test series, including a possible match-up with the All Blacks.

The early prognosis is eight weeks out of rugby for the 2018 Hurricanes skipper. The accident occurred in his club’s 31-42 reverse to Exeter Chiefs on the weekend in round two action. Former All Blacks No 10 Lima Sopoaga came off the pine to kick a conversion, while former Auckland No 8 Nathan Hughes scored a try.

Denny Solomona scored a try as Sale Sharks beat Worcester 21-15. Bryn Evans was at lock for the Sharks. Bryce Heem scored a try for the Warriors.

Saracens defeated Pat Lam’s Bristol Bears 44-23, despite a try to Alapati Leiua. The Bears also fielded Siale Piutau, Jordan Lay, Joe Latta, Steven Luatua, Jack Lam and John Afoa.

Leicester was back in winning ways with a 49-33 victory over Newcastle. Brendon O’Connor was in the No 7 jersey for the Tigers, while fullback Telusa Veainu was yellow carded.

Bath and Gloucester fought to a 31-all west country stalemate, Anthony Perenise and Jackson Willison featuring. Jason Woodward and Josh Hohneck appeared for Gloucester.

A Kiwi-laden Northampton Saints beat a Kiwi-less Harlequins 25-18. Dylan Hartley scored a try for Saints, who also included Ahsee Tuala, Ken Pisi, Piers Francis, Teimana Harrison and Ben Franks.

In the French Top 14, Joe Rokocoko had an eventful day as Racing-Metro pounded Tom Murday's Agen 59-7. He wore the No 12 jersey and copped two yellow cards, which meant a red was shown. The two Bens, Volavola and Tameifuna, also turned out for the Parisians. Charlie Ngatai was at fullback as Lyon edged Perpignan 22-16 in Catalan country. Rudi Wulf and Toby Arnold also played for LOU. Genesis Mamea and Shahn Eru appeared for the vanquished.

An early try to Liam Messam, at No 8, helped Toulon to its first win of the season, 28-27 over defending champs Castres. Julian Savea and Malakai Fekitoa also featured for the red and blacks. David Smith and Paea Fa’anunu turned out for Castres.

Four goals by Tom Taylor helped Pau win 24-21 at Grenoble. Alongside Taylor were Ben Stanley, Frank Halai, Jamie Mackintosh and Daniel Ramsay. Grenoble fielded Lolagi Visinia, Alaska Taufa, Halani Aulika, Leva Fifita and Taiasina Tuifua.

A red card to Tony Ensor did not help Stade Francais’ cause in a 20-42 defeat at Clermont, for whom George Moala marked his debut, on the left wing, with a brace. Isaia Toeava and Loni Uhila also started for Les Jaunards. George Tilsley and his Bordeaux-Begles team drew 9-9 with Montpellier.

Toulouse, with Charlie Faumuina, Joe Tekori, Jerome Kaino and Pita Ahki in the ranks, beat La Rochelle 33-26. Ihaia West made his debut for the latter, kicking three goals, with Uini Atonio, Victor Vito, Hikairo Forbes and Tawera Kerr-Barlow alongside him.

In the Guinness PRO14, Scarlets edged Leinster 23-21. Nos 14-13-12 for the home side were occupied by Kiwis – Johnny McNicholl, Kieron Fonotia, Hadleigh Parkes – with Blade Thomson on the blindside flank. James Lowe scored a try for Leinster, while Jamison Gibson-Park was at halfback.

Dean Budd, Hame Faiva, Jayden Hayward, Monty Ioane and Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara all tasted victory in Treviso’s 27-25 win over Cardiff Blues, for whom Gareth Anscombe slotted three goals off the bench, Willis Halaholo and Rey Lee-Lo were again in the Blues midfield and Nick Williams was at No 8.

Dominic Robertson-McCoy’s Connacht beat Jimmy Tuivaiti’s Zebre 32-13, and Brandon Nansen’s Dragons defeated the Southern Kings 27-22.

Callum Gibbins scored a try in Glasgow’s 25-10 of Munster, for whom Rhys Marshall also registered a five-pointer.

Sean Reidy’s Ulster had a narrow 30-29 win over Edinburgh, for whom Simon Hickey kicked seven goals.

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