Kiwis in Europe: NZers feature heavily in French fixtures

Castres' New- Zealand winger Rudi Wulf. Photo / Getty

Centre Rudi Wulf got one over his former club in the French Top 14 over the weekend.

The former All Black scored a try for his new club Castres as they defeated Toulon 24-9, sending the high fliers crashing to their second loss in as many rounds to open the season.

His old Blues and Toulon teammate David Smith was on the right wing for Castres.

Another former Toulon player, loose forward Chris Masoe, scored a crucial try in Racing-Metro's 20-19 win over La Rochelle, Steve Hansen's old club. Joe Rokocoko, Casey Laulala and Ross Filipo also turned out for the Parisian Racing-Metro, while Hikairo Forbes and Romana Graham suited up for La Rochelle.

Pau won their first match back up in the top flight, 23-16 over Montpellier. Daniel Ramsay and Chris King featured for the victors, while Anthony Tuitavake was at No 12 for Montpellier.

Former All Blacks prop Saimone Taumoepeau came off the pine as his new club Brive beat defending champion Stade Francais 22-13. Also in the front-row, for Stade, was loosehead Aled de Malmanche.

Bordeaux-Begles fielded an all-Kiwi loose trio of Peter Saili (8), Hugh Chalmers (7), and Luke Braid (6) in their 37-19 loss at Oyonnax, for whom Piri Weepu came off the bench.

Toulouse won their local Landais derby 20-9 at Agen, largely thanks to two tries to hooker Corey Flynn. Luke McAlister was at No 10, but second five Toby Flood took the kicks. Lock Tom Murday featured for Agen.

Clermont, with Benson Stanley, Hosea Gear and Fritz Lee in their starting XV, beat Grenoble 25-6. The latter included Jackson Willison (13), Rory Grice (8) and with former Highlanders and Chiefs loose forward/lock Steven Setephano off the bench.

Round three will be this weekend, along with kickoffs in England's Aviva Premiership and the Celtic/Italian Guinness PRO12.