O'Connor impact no surprise

PUSH OFF: Hawke’s Bay skipper Brendon O’Connor puts the fend on a Wellington tackler during the ITM Cup Championship final at McLean Park. Hawke’s Bay Today picture.

ON a weekend in Europe when rugby didn’t seem so important, New Zealanders, including Gisborne’s Brendon O’Connor, made on-field statements during round one of the European Champions Cup.

Former Gisborne Boys’ High School first 15 skipper O’Connor earned rave reviews in the British media, scoring a try and helping Leicester Tigers beat Stade Francais 33-20 in England.

“That doesn’t surprise me (rave reviews), Brendon’s been a special player for us, the Blues, Auckland and Hawke’s Bay,” said Boys’ High coach Tom Cairns.

“We teased him before leaving about playing for an English club and possibly England but he obviously looked at what was best for his career and while we would all have loved to see him wear the black jersey we’re tremendously proud of him, as we are of all our boys. In some ways it’s a pity that Brendon’s early career conincided with the likes of Richie McCaw, Sam Cane and Matt Todd.

“But Brendon was the Blues player of the year and players’ player of the year and that speaks volumes for him not only as a rugby player but as a person.

“The thing that sets him apart from other players is his relentless pursuit of victory. He hates losing and just refuses to give in.”

That never-say-die attitude was evident in this season’s ITM Cup championship final when Hawke’s Bay trailed Wellington 25-19 with only a minute remaining.

It was O’Connor’s brilliant run and offload that enabled winger Mason Emerson to score a try in the corner, leaving Ihaia West to slot the winning conversion and send the Magpies skipper out on a victorious note.

In other games at the weekend, London Wasps hammered three-time champions Leinster 33-6 in Dublin, with fullback Charlie Piutau again in the thick of the action, scoring a try and being a constant danger on the counter-attack.

His old Blues teammate Frank Halai was also in strong form on the left wing. Former Auckland loose forward Nathan Hughes was at No.8 for Wasps.

Former Blues, North Harbour and Maori All Black lock Hayden Triggs came off the bench for Leinster.

Another former North Harbour player, wing Ken Pisi, scored a crucial early try as his Northampton Saints edged Hadleigh Parkes’ Scarlets 15-11.

Brendon Leonard was at halfback as his Ospreys defeated Exeter Chiefs 25-13.

Toulouse, with Luke McAlister at 10 and Joe Tekori at lock, were outplayed 32-7 by Saracens. Francis Saili was marking Jayden Hayward as Munster beat Treviso by the same score.