Rugby: Kiwis in Europe update

New Zealand's Joe Rokocoko during an All Blacks Rugby training run. Photo / Wayne Drought

Grenoble, with no less than five Kiwis involved, have moved into the top half of the French Top 14 standings after a 33-29 home win over Toulon.

A try to former Waikato loose forward Steven Setephano was key as the eastern, Alpine club lowered the big-spending Toulon and leapfrogged them on the log. Also in the Grenoble line-up were loosehead prop Sona Taumalolo, No 8 Rory Grice and with Nigel Hunt off the bench plus new recruit, threequarter Tino Nemani, fresh from Bay of Plenty's ITM Cup campaign.

There were another five New Zealanders involved in table-topping Racing-Metro's 17-14 victory over Brive. Starters Joe Rokocoko and Casey Laulala were joined off the bench by Ross Filipo, Chris Masoe and Ben Tameifuna, though the latter copped a yellow card.

Oyonnax, with Piri Weepu scoring an early try, stayed just clear of the relegation zone by defeating Pau 42-23.

Luke Braid's Bordeaux-Begles beat La Rochelle 21-16, while a try to centre Paul Williams was not enough for defending champion Stade Francais, who lost 28-23 at Agen. Former Wellington and Hurricanes lock Api Naikatini came off the pine for the victors.

Fritz Lee's Clermont put paid to Castres 42-13, despite the presence of former All Blacks Rudi Wulf and Sitiveni Sivivatu in the Castres backline.

Former Taranaki wing and current Manu Samoa rep Paul Perez scored an important try as Toulouse won 33-25 at Montpellier. Neemia Tialata was at tighthead prop and Luke McAlister first five for the away team.

In the Guinness PRO12, new Leinster skipper Isa Nacewa scored a try and kicked a conversion in the 27-3 win at Treviso. New signing, North Harbour lock Hayden Triggs, turned out for Leinster.

Pat Lam's Connacht edged Edinburgh 14-9 to stay in touch with Wayne Pivac's Scarlets, while Francis Saili's Munster beat the Ulster of Sean Reidy and Nick Williams.

In the Aviva Premiership, Nick Evans' boot was to the fore, his 28 points, including eight penalty goals, decisive in Harlequins' 38-28 win at Bath.

Former Highlanders and Canterbury wing Telusa Veainu scored a late try to help Leicester Tigers to a 24-16 victory over Wasps. Bay of Plenty halfback Jono Kitto came off the bench for Leicester. Wasps No 10 Jimmy Gopperth was binned for a high tackle on Tigers' captain Mathew Tait.

Daniel Braid, with TJ Ioane, Bryn Evans and Johnny Leota by his side, led Sale Sharks to a 20-13 win over Northampton. Thomas Waldrom's Exeter Chiefs stomped all over the Newcastle Falcons 41-3, while former Tasman Makos lock Tevita Cavubati, playing for Worcester, lost to Gloucester 24-22.

Saracens defeated London Irish 24-14, for whom Asaeli Tikoirotuma scored a try and incurred a yellow card. Sean Maitland was on the other wing for the Exiles. Former Canterbury and Chiefs lock Matt Symons also played for London Irish.