Latest news with #SamGilbert
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Unwanted utensil for Highlanders
It was a night of lasts. Last game. Last place. And last match for Sam Gilbert in the Highlanders colours. He is off to Irish club Connacht at the end of the NPC season. The Highlanders are off to assess where the season went wrong. The 41-24 defeat to the Chiefs in Dunedin last night has left them stranded in last place. The season could have been a lot different had they been able to reverse a few of those seven games they lost by seven or fewer points. Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i nabbed a hat-trick in a standout performance for the visitors, who set up the win with a stunning opening quarter. Highlanders loosehead Ethan de Groot coughed up an early turnover and the Chiefs probed away for four or five minutes until eventually, they found a way around the defence. It was brilliant too. Etene Nanai-Seturo gathered in a chip kick and linked up with centre Daniel Rona, who set off for the line, but passed back inside to Samipeni Finau to score. The competition front-runners were back lining up another conversion a few brief minutes later. Vaa'i barged over and then grabbed a double when he pounced on a mistake and ran in from 45. It was 19-0 in under quarter of an hour. Thoughts turned to the Chiefs' 85-7 romp against Moana Pasifika last weekend. Thoughts also turned to how quickly the end of the season could come for the Highlanders. Sixty-five minutes and counting. But the Highlanders rallied and were rewarded. The went close when Jonah Lowe made some yards down the right, and Veveni Lasaqa put in a grubber. Damian McKenzie scooped it up, but was caught by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the in-goal. The Highlanders kept the Chiefs pinned in their 22, and de Groot crashed over from a tap kick 5m out. There was no stopping the big Southlander. Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill picked up a yellow card moments later for an untidy cleanout on Jack Taylor. He made contact with the head. The Highlanders exploited the advantage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, Tanielu Tele'a and Taniela Filimone combined beautifully down the left. That created some space on the right and Tavatavanawai powered over to close the gap to five points at halftime. But just a comeback glimmered, the home side was caught napping early in the second spell. Hooker Bradley Slater rumbled free from a maul and passed to halfback Xavier Roe, who had a clear run to the line. The Chiefs threatened to score twice more, but the Highlanders added the next points through the boot of Cameron Millar. But replacement back Manasa Mataele stretched the lead again with a try out on the left. The Chiefs had wriggled their way into the red zone and floated the ball wide to the unmarked finisher. Gilbert scored a try to create some late drama. But Vaa'i collected the ball from a short drop-out gone wrong to nab a hat-trick right on fulltime. And the Chiefs left with what they came for — five points and with pole position intact ahead of the playoffs. The win came at a cost, though. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea was injured midway through the first half and transported from the field. Super Rugby Pacific The scores Chiefs 41 (Tupou Vaa'i 3, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen, Gilbert con) Halftime: 19-14.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Night of lasts for the Landers
It was a night of lasts. Last game. Last place. And last match for Sam Gilbert in the Highlanders colours. He is off to Irish club Connacht at the end of the NPC season. The Highlanders are off to assess where the season went wrong. The 41-24 defeat to the Chiefs in Dunedin tonight has left them stranded in last place. The season could have been a lot different had they been able to reverse a few of those seven games they lost by seven or fewer points. Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i nabbed a hat trick in stand-out performance for the visitors, who were blasted out to an 19-0 early lead. Highlanders loosehead Ethan de Groot coughed up an early turnover and the Chiefs probed away four of five minutes until eventually, they found a way around the defence. It was brilliant too. Etene Nanai-Seturo gathered in a chip kick and linked up with centre Daniel Rona, who set off for the line but passed back inside to Samipeni Finau to score. The competition front-runners were back lining up another conversion a few brief minutes later. Vaa'i barged over and then grabbed a double when he pounced on a mistake and ran in from 45. It was 19-0 in under quarter of an hour. Thoughts turned to the Chiefs' 85-7 romp against Moana Pasifika last weekend. Thoughts turned to how quickly the end of the season could come for the Highlanders. Sixty-five minutes and counting. But the Highlanders rallied and were rewarded. They went close when Jonah Lowe made some yards down the right and Veveni Lasaqa put in a grubber. Damian McKenzie scooped it up but got caught by Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens in the in-goal. The Highlanders kept the Chiefs pinned in their 22 and de Groot crashed over from a tap kick 5m out. There was no stopping the big Southlander. Chiefs tighthead Reuben O'Neill picked up a yellow card moments for an untidy cleanout on Jack Taylor. He made contact with the head. The Highlanders exploited the advantage. Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkins, Tanielu Tele'a and Taniela Filimone combined beautifully down the left. That created some space on the right and Tavatavanawai powered over to close the gap to five points at halftime. The home side was caught napping early in the second spell. Hooker Bradley Slater rumbled free from a maul and passed to halfback Xavier Roe who had a clear run to the line. The Chiefs threatened to score twice more, but the Highlanders added the next points through the boot of Cameron Millar. But replacement back Manasa Mataele stretched the lead again with a try out on the left. The Chiefs had wriggled their way into the red zone and floated the ball wide to the unmarked finisher. Gilbert scored a try to create some late drama. But Vaa'i collected the ball from a short drop gone wrong to nab a hat trick right on fulltime. And the Chiefs left with what they game for - four points and with pole position intact ahead of the playoffs. The win came at a cost. Chiefs midfielder Quinn Tupaea was injured midway through the first half and transported from the field. Super Rugby Pacific The scores Chiefs 41 (Tupou Vaa'i 3, Samipeni Finau, Xavier Roe, Manasa Mataele tries; Damian McKenzie 4 con, pen) Highlanders 24 (Ethan de Groot, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Sam Gilbert tries; Cameron Millar 2 con, pen, Gilbert con) Halftime: 19-14.
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Gilbert to join Connacht at end of NPC season
Sam Gilbert. Photo: supplied Experienced Highlanders and Otago utility back Sam Gilbert is heading to Ireland. Gilbert will join Connacht at the end of this NPC season, the Irish club announced last night. The Highlanders wished their departing player well on social media and will seek to send him - and doubtless a bunch of others to be confirmed - out on a high with some decent performances over the final three weeks of a disappointing season. Gilbert has been something of an everyman for the Highlanders in recent seasons, playing a handful of games in his preferred fullback position but also starting on the wing and at both second five and first five. He had a particularly good run in 2023 and the first half of the 2024 season when he showed his value as a strong and reliable operator across the park, and also showed off some remarkably accurate goal-kicking. He was picked for the All Blacks XV in 2023. Not a player for flashy line breaks or sizzling 80m runs, he is defensively sound and a good link man, and has a strapping frame with a powerful boot - attributes that will serve him well in rugby in the north. Gilbert was schooled at St Andrew's College and had just been recognised in the Canterbury system - he scored five tries in six games for the red and blacks in 2019 - when he came south to join the Highlanders, Otago and the Green Island club. He has played 56 games for the Highlanders, scoring 322 points (13 tries, 79 conversions and 33 penalties), and 29 for Otago. Connacht have a couple of Otago links already on the books. Gilbert's fellow Green Island man, Sean Jansen, started at No 8 in their most recent game in the United Rugby Championship, and former Highlanders and Otago first five Josh Ioane is also at the club. Irish and Lions midfield star Bundee Aki is the main man at Connacht. The Highlanders have exciting youngsters Caleb Tangitau and Finn Hurley under contract next year, and they will be eager to have Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Jona Nareki back, but Gilbert's versatility will be missed.
Irish Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Comings and goings aplenty as Connacht aim to end URC on a positive note
United Rugby Championship: Connacht v Edinburgh, Dexcom Stadium, Saturday, 7.35pm (Live on TG4, Premier Sports) Connacht chose on Friday to announce the signing of the 26-year-old Highlanders utility back Sam Gilbert and also confirmed the departure of several players, including outhalf JJ Hanrahan, who returns to Munster, and Andrew Smith, who signed a contract with the southern province after going there initially on a short-term loan. Hooker Adam McBurney and former Aussie Sevens player John Porch were granted early releases from contracts while flanker Conor Oliver, centre Piers O'Connor and wing/fullback Santiago Cordero will move on at the end of the season. Gilbert has primarily played as a fullback with kicking responsibilities this season, but is equally adept at inside centre, the wing or outhalf. He made his Super Rugby debut with the Highlanders in 2020, starting on the wing in the first round of Super Rugby and since then he has been an ever-present feature in the Highlanders match day squad, making 45 starts. READ MORE In 2024 he made two appearances for the All Blacks XV representative side, coming off the bench against Japan in both games. Gilbert said: 'I'm delighted to be joining Connacht and take on a new challenge. After speaking with Connacht, I believe this is the perfect club for me moving forward in my career. They play a brand of rugby that is entertaining and exactly how I want to play the game.' Connacht's Bundee Aki was named as part of Andy Farrell's British & Irish Lions squad for this summer's tour to Australia. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho Bundee Aki, chosen for his second Lions tour during the week, is named at centre while Hugh Gavin and Finn Treacy are two exciting young players who will be looking to continue to impress ahead of Ireland's two-match summer tour; so too scrumhalf Ben Murphy. Connacht interim head coach Cullie Tucker said: 'We know our playoff hopes are out of our own hands, but that's not stopping us doing everything we can to finish this season strongly. We're aiming for 10 points across these final two games, starting against a tough Edinburgh side, and then whatever happens, happens after that.' Connacht: S Cordero; S Bolton, H Gavin, B Aki, F Treacy; JJ Hanrahan, B Murphy; D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham; J Murphy, D Murray; C Prendergast (capt), C Oliver, S Jansen. Replacements: D Tierney-Martin, P Dooley, J Aungier, O Dowling, P Boyle, C Blade, C Forde, D Hawkshaw. Edinburgh: W Goosen; D Graham, M Currie, M Tuipulotu, J Brown; R Thompson, A Price; P Schoeman, E Ashman, D Rae: M Sykes, S Skinner: B Muncaster, H Watson, M Bradbury (capt). Replacements: P Harrison, B Venter, J Sebastian, G Young, L McConnell, C Shiel, B Healy, J Lang. Referee: B Breakspear (Wales).
Otago Daily Times
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Gilbert to join Connacht at end of Super season
Sam Gilbert. Photo: supplied Experienced Highlanders and Otago utility back Sam Gilbert is heading to Ireland. Gilbert will join Connacht at the end of this Super Rugby season, the Irish club announced last night. The Highlanders wished their departing player well on social media and will seek to send him - and doubtless a bunch of others to be confirmed - out on a high with some decent performances over the final three weeks of a disappointing season. Gilbert has been something of an everyman for the Highlanders in recent seasons, playing a handful of games in his preferred fullback position but also starting on the wing and at both second five and first five. He had a particularly good run in 2023 and the first half of the 2024 season when he showed his value as a strong and reliable operator across the park, and also showed off some remarkably accurate goal-kicking. He was picked for the All Blacks XV in 2023. Not a player for flashy line breaks or sizzling 80m runs, he is defensively sound and a good link man, and has a strapping frame with a powerful boot - attributes that will serve him well in rugby in the north. Gilbert was schooled at St Andrew's College and had just been recognised in the Canterbury system - he scored five tries in six games for the red and blacks in 2019 - when he came south to join the Highlanders, Otago and the Green Island club. He has played 56 games for the Highlanders, scoring 322 points (13 tries, 79 conversions and 33 penalties), and 29 for Otago. Connacht have a couple of Otago links already on the books. Gilbert's fellow Green Island man, Sean Jansen, started at No 8 in their most recent game in the United Rugby Championship, and former Highlanders and Otago first five Josh Ioane is also at the club. Irish and Lions midfield star Bundee Aki is the main man at Connacht. The Highlanders have exciting youngsters Caleb Tangitau and Finn Hurley under contract next year, and they will be eager to have Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens and Jona Nareki back, but Gilbert's versatility will be missed.
