Hadleigh Parkes continues to offer full value for his Welsh club Scarlets in the Guinness PRO12.
The versatile former Auckland, Manawatu and Blues back, who has appeared in the midfield and on the wing for his Kiwi coach Wayne Pivac, scored a try and set one up for his halfback Aled Davies as Scarlets maintained second place on the log with a 20-12 win over Zebre in poor weather which bedevilled much of the rugby in Europe over the weekend.
Pat Lam's Connacht lead the PRO12 by two points after manufacturing their first win at Thomond Park Limerick since 1986. Centre Bundee Aki clinched the 18-12 victory over Munster in the 77th minute with a spectacular one-handed finish in the left corner, which not only sealed the result but gave him the man of the match award. He was marked, on the one-out defence, by none other than Francis Saili.
There were a plethora of other low-scoring affairs. Isa Nacewa's Leinster edged Sean Reidy and Nick Williams' Ulster 8-3, while Brendon Leonard came out on top as Ospreys defeated Cardiff Blues 13-6. Rey Lee-Lo started at centre for the Blues.
Grayson Hart's Glasgow Warriors beat Treviso by the same score. The latter fielded an all-Kiwi 9-10-12 chain, with Chris Smylie, Jayden Hayward - who kicked two goals - and Sam Christie. Former Manu Samoa, North Harbour and Blues lock Filo Paulo was in the pack.
Edinburgh beat Dragons 32-13, with Phil Burleigh (10) and Mike Coman (6) to the fore. Prop Boris Stankovich copped a yellow card for the Dragons, while Nick Crosswell suited up at blindside flanker.
In England's Aviva Premiership, Wasps continued their powerful recent form, dispatching London Irish 33-15 away from home. Wing Frank Halai scored a double and Jimmy Gopperth slotted two goals off the bench, but former Auckland No 8 Nathan Hughes was in dynamic mood with his ball-carrying. Charlie Piutau was again at fullback.
The Exiles included Ben Franks, Chris Noakes, Matt Symons and Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Leicester wing Telusa Veainu scored another try as the Tigers downed Bath 21-11. Mike FitzGerald and Brendon O'Connor were again mainstays of the pack.
Bryce Heem was powerless on the wing as his Worcester Warriors were swept 48-18 by Saracens.
A try and two goals to Nick Evans were not quite enough as his Harlequins lost 26-25 at Exeter. No 8 Thomas Waldrom played for the Chiefs.
Northampton Saints included four players of New Zealander rugby origin - Ahsee Tuala, George Pisi, Kahn Fotuali'i, and Michael Paterson - in their 15-3 win over Willi Heinz and John Afoa's Gloucester. The evergreen Bok Victor Matfield came off the pine for the Saints.
Sam Tuitupou, Dan Braid, TJ Ioane and Viliami Fihaki fronted for Sale Sharks in their 15-all draw with Newcastle. Two former Bay of Plenty men in Mike Delany and Nili Latu appeared for the Falcons.
In the French Top 14, Dan Carter was an interested spectator as his new club Racing-Metro moved up to second on the log with a 28-13 win over Toulouse at their home Stade Yves du Manoir in Paris. Chris Masoe added to his try tally from No 8, while Joe Rokocoko and Ben Tameifuna also started. Corey Flynn, Neemia Tialata and Joe Tekori all started in the Toulouse pack.
Castres' Kiwi contingent of David Smith, Daniel Kirkpatrick, Saimone Taumoepeau and Karena Wihongi won 23-18 at Agen, who fielded former Manawatu and All Blacks Sevens flier George Tilsley.
Anthony Tuitavake's Montpellier defeated Jason Eaton's La Rochelle 25-20.
Cellar dwellers Oyonnax are further in the mire after losing 34-9 at home versus Brive.
Hugh Chalmers wore the No 7 jersey as his Bordeaux-Begles punished Pau 46-10, while defending champs Stade Francais won a vital 21-19 match at Grenoble, who lost replacement prop Sona Taumalolo to the sin bin.
Toulon hammered leaders Clermont 35-9 but the match was notable for the fact there were no New Zealanders involved. That would have been unthinkable just 12 months ago.