Aussies to feature in Championship Cup quarters

Sat, Jan 23, 2016, 9:00 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman

George Smith’s Wasps will host a Champions Cup quarter-final in April after thumping Leinster 51-10 overnight.

Wasps’s win cemented their standing at the top of their tournament pool and secured quarter-final hosting rights.

Smith was immense in defence for Wasps, making 17 tackles and had 14 carries in the massive win.

Toulon did its part to try and clinch top spot, but a 19-14 win over Bath wasn’t enough to keep the French side on top.

Quade Cooper played a full 80 minutes at flyhalf for Toulon in the win, as the three-time defending champions prepare for an away trip to open their knockout stage.

Fullback James O’Connor was handed the kicking duties in his return from injury and slotted three penalties in the match.

The result sets up a star-studded quarter-final clash with Dan Carter’s Racing 92 in April.

And while that clash is almost two months away, the barbs have already begun.

Taqele Naiyaravoro played 80 minutes on the wing for Glasgow as they claimed a comfortable 22-5 victory over Racing 92.

CHALLENGE CUP

Luke Burgess came off the bench for Zebre as the Italian side fell just short of a win against Glasgow.

Burgess played the final 33 minutes of the 14-11 loss.

TOP LEAGUE

Bernard Foley turned in a second straight man of the match performance for the Ricoh Black Rams as they finished their Top League season with a 27-22 win over Coca Cola West Red Sparks.

Foley booted two conversions in the win, steering the side from flyhalf.

Former Wallabies winger Nick Cummins entered the game for the Red Sparks in the 38th minute.

Both the Black Rams and the Red Sparks will feature in next week’s relegation playoff round to avoid losing their Top League status.

Sam Norton-Knight’s NEC Green Rockets finished their play-off season with a 32-20 win over NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.

Norton-Knight was injected into the match in the 37th minute.

It was a disappointing day for Mark Gerrard and the Toyota Industries Shuttles in their final match, losing to the Suntory Sungoliaths 78-14.

Ben McCalman and Berrick Barnes will feature in the Top League final on Sunday afternoon at 4pm.



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