Rugby: Kiwis dominate opening weekend overseas

Grenoble flanker Rory Grice scored twice at the weekend. Photo / Getty

The Guinness PRO 12 is underway and the influence of the New Zealanders in the Celtic and Italian League is already palpable.

Pat Lam's Connacht defeated the Newport-Gwent Dragons 29-23 on opening weekend.

Former Auckland and North Harbour flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua scored their first try off a lineout drive, but the game was only sealed at the 77 minute mark when former Chiefs and Steelers midfielder Bundee Aki made a slashing break to set up the last try to Fionn Carr. Tom McCartney was hooker in the Connacht front-row. The Dragons included Boris Stankovich at loosehead prop and Nick Crosswell at blindside flanker.

Leinster fullback Isa Nacewa, resuming his on-field career after a stint as the Blues mental skills coach, kicked three goals as his Irish province fell 16-9 to Edinburgh, who have two former Highlanders in Phil Burleigh and No 8 Nasi Manu in their starting XV.

Ulster had Nick Williams at No 8 and former Steeler Sean Reidy off the bench in their 28-6 win over Ospreys, for whom Brendon Leonard came off the bench after swapping Italy for Wales.

Scarlets tipped over defending champions Glasgow Warriors 16-10, with wing and former Auckland captain Hadleigh Parkes scoring a try for the away side, playing outside Regan King. Warriors halfback and former Auckland No 9 Grayson Hart was yellow carded.

Jarrad Hoeata was at lock as his Cardiff Blues thumped Zebre 61-13. Munster beat Treviso 18-13, with former Crusaders and Canterbury No 10 Tyler Bleyendaal coming off the pine. Former Blues loosie Dean Budd scored Treviso's sole try, while Jayden Hayward kicked three goals from fullback. The halves combination was Sam Christie and Chris Smylie.

In the French Top 14, Grenoble got full value from its Kiwi contingent in the 41-15 win over Pau. Former Waikato No 8 Rory Grice scored a brace, while Steven Setephano was a replacement and Nigel Hunt and Jackson Willison featured in midfield.

Playing in the unfamiliar position of second five, Hosea Gear scored a try for Clermont as they beat Oyonnax 41-24. No 8 Fritz Lee was binned for Les Jaunards. Coming off the bench for Oyonnax were Piri Weepu and Cook Islands international and former Northlander Stan Wright.

The four starting Kiwis at Racing-Metro - Joe Rokocoko, Casey Laulala, Chris Masoe and Ross Filipo - could not prevent their club going down 30-18 to Tom Murday's Agen.

Toulon upset champs Stade Francais 20-13 in Paris, with Paul Williams entering the fray as a sub after impressing for the UK Barbarians in their win over Manu Samoa the previous weekend.

Peter Saili and Hugh Chalmers featured in the loose forwards as Bordeaux-Begles fell 24-22 at home to Montpellier, while Toulouse beat Castres 37-20 with five Kiwis in action. La Rochelle edged Brive 21-18, with Romana Graham and Hikairo Forbes taking bragging rights over Saimone Taumoepeau.

England's Aviva Premiership will kick off on October 15, in the latter stages of Rugby World Cup.