Aussies Abroad: James Ramm’s 175m Masterclass & The Aus-tracized XV

From heavy-handed collision work across the French tiers to backline fireworks in New Zealand’s provincial heartland, Australia’s overseas contingent delivered a high-octane weekend of rugby. Standout individual shifts from former Super Rugby speedsters and tireless engine-room workers set the standard, with several key performers putting up undeniable claims for weekly honors.

Top 14 and Pro D2

In France’s premier competition Tom Staniforth put in another monstrous 80-minute engine-room shift for Castres, racking up 18 carries, 14 tackles, and a try assist in their thrilling Castres vs Toulon (29-27) victory. Over in Montpellier vs Perpignan (50-13), Tom Banks provided fluent counter-attack from fullback, churning out 61 metres carried from 10 carries with 1 line break for Montpellier, while back-row colleague Alex Masibaka provided 15 strong minutes off the bench. On the other side of the park, prop Brad Amituanai injected energy off the pine for Perpignan with 5 tackles in his 23 minutes.

In Toulouse vs Vannes (23-29), powerhouse lock Emmanuel Meafou added late muscle off the bench for Toulouse, locking down 4 tackles and securing a crucial turnover won. Front-row utility Braxton Asi logged 18 minutes for Stade Français in their Paris vs Bordeaux (40-10) defeat, while former Brothers Rugby Club prop Lehopa Leota featured off the bench for Racing 92 in their hard-fought Racing 92 vs La Rochelle (10-20).

Moving to Pro D2, former NSW Waratahs midfielder Joey Walton delivered an absolute masterclass for Montauban during Montauban vs Béziers (50-21), crossing for a try and slicing through for 105 metres carried on 11 carries alongside 9 tackles, though he did collect a yellow card late in the contest. Front-row teammate Sifa Amone added impact in his 26-minute bench stint, claiming a turnover won.

In a high-scoring clash between Aurillac vs Brive (28-29), former Melbourne Rebels fly-half Jake Strachan pulled the strings masterfully for Aurillac, contributing 13 points (2 conversions, 3 penalties), 48 metres carried, and 1 line break. Ex Randwick back-rower Ben Houston powered over for a try while making 15 carries and 12 tackles, whilst prior Aussie 7s star Ben O’Donnell beat 4 defenders in midfield, and winger Angus Staniforth stretched the defense for 54 metres carried and 2 line breaks.

Workhorse lock Cameron Holt, formerly of the Tuggeranong Vikings, put on a defensive clinic for Grenoble in Grenoble vs Nice (33-37), completing a staggering 29 tackles across 80 minutes, while back-row partner Fergus Lee-Warner chipped in with 13 tackles in 47 minutes. Hooker Efi Ma’afu, previously with the Western Force and Rebels, touched down for a try for Nevers in Nevers vs Biarritz (20-22), finishing with 27 metres carried and 10 tackles. On the winning side for Biarritz, former Force prop Reginald Churchward came off the pine to deliver 11 tackles and a turnover won in 32 minutes.

Izack Rodda marshaled the set piece for Aix (Provence Rugby) in their 23-27 victory, making 10 tackles and winning 2 lineouts, while dynamic winger Sione Tui racked up 47 metres carried, 2 line breaks, and a try assist despite earning two yellow cards. In Colomiers vs Dax (66-21), lock Steven Cummins logged 11 tackles in 57 minutes for Colomiers, while loosehead David Lolohea absorbed heavy traffic for Dax with 11 carries. In Oyonnax vs Agen (17-19), Charlie Abel (7 tackles) and Phoenix Battye (9 tackles, 2 lineouts won) held down the tight five for Oyonnax, while former Waratah Alex Newsome brought security at fullback with 10 tackles and a turnover won. For Agen, center Ollie Cummins brought energy off the pine with 3 defenders beaten. Finally, hard-running Number 8 Caleb Timu put in an 80-minute shift for Narbonne in Narbonne vs Soyaux-Angoulême (31-26), making 14 tackles and 7 carries.

NPC

Over in New Zealand former Waratahs and soon to be Force speedster James Ramm put on the performance of the weekend for Northland in their emphatic Wellington vs Northland (28-52) victory. Ramm tore the host defense apart, scoring 2 tries, accumulating a massive 175 metres carried from 11 carries, making 4 line breaks, and beating 12 defenders. Former Brumbies playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa directed the attack with precision, knocking over 4 conversions and carrying for 48 metres, while Brumbies forward Lachlan Hooper won 5 lineouts and 1 turnover alongside 9 tackles. Former Sydney University prop Daniel Botha anchored the scrum across 60 minutes for Northland, while Hudson Creighton notched 2 try assists. For Wellington, loosehead Jake Turnbull made 15 tackles, while Jackson Ropata made a second-half cameo featuring 1 line break.

In Tasman vs Auckland (22-24), lock Harvey Cordukes led the defensive charge for Auckland with 14 tackles, while former Force and Drua scrum-half Issak Fines darted over for a try during his 53-minute start. Titi Nofoagatotoa added spark off the pine with 2 defenders beaten and a turnover won. For Tasman, flanker Lopeti Faifua crossed for a try and carried for 32 metres, with Rory Scott making 6 tackles off the bench.

Ex-Harlequins Melbourne flanker Xavier Treacy was a defensive juggernaut for Canterbury in Canterbury vs North Harbour (24-25), tackling everything that moved with 22 tackles and 1 turnover won. On the opposing side for North Harbour, former Force back-rower Dane Sawers brought explosive impact off the bench, accumulating 14 carries, 26 metres carried, and 3 offloads in 37 minutes.

In Southland vs Taranaki (55-19), loosehead Jack Barrett started strong for Southland, setting up a try, securing a turnover, and making 9 tackles in 45 minutes, with Clem Halaholo featuring in the second half. In Hawke’s Bay vs Bay of Plenty (32-17), winger Darby Lancaster impressed for Hawke’s Bay with 1 try, 44 metres carried, 3 line breaks, and 11 tackles, while Nic Benn, formerly of the Manly Marlins, worked tirelessly on the wing to notch 63 metres carried and 14 tackles. In Waikato vs Manawatu (36-27), center Austin Anderson made 8 tackles and 2 offloads for Waikato, while former Force halfback Doug Philipson started for Manawatu, carrying for 15 metres alongside 6 tackles, with Taini Roiri injecting late energy off the bench.

Shoutouts from the Back Paddocks

• Angus Wagner (Carcassonne): The former Western Force and Brumbies loosehead started and played 47 dominant minutes upfront in a defensive shut-out win, Marcq-en-Baroeul vs Carcassonne (07-33), in France’s Nationale competition.
• Baden Godfrey (Mont-de-Marsan): The former Tuggeranong Vikings product put in a full 80-minute shift at Number 8, crossing the line for a try during their tight Mont-de-Marsan vs Rouen (19-13) fixture.
• Afa Amosa (Périgueux): The former Moorabbin and Brumbies Academy back-rower came on at halftime, providing 40 physical minutes in the back row to help seal a Périgueux vs Bourgoin (27-23) victory.

Whispers from the Grandstand

• Whispers from the Grandstand
• Ben Gunter (Japan): Earned Player of the Match honors on the international stage after steering Japan to a 20-15 victory over Fiji in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup 2026 final at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.
• Jack Maddocks (Section Paloise): Sidelined for at least three weeks after picking up a thigh muscle injury against Bayonne—despite scoring a try before being withdrawn as a precaution at halftime—ruling him out of Pau’s Round 3 Top 14 clash with Lyon.
• Reece Hewat (Section Paloise): Remains stuck on Pau’s long-term casualty ward as he continues to rehabilitate an Achilles tendon injury.
• Scott Sio (Cardiff Rugby): The 74-cap Wallaby loosehead prop is set to anchor Cardiff’s front row and mentor young props Danny Southworth and Rhys Barratt as the Welsh outfit launches into its 150th-anniversary season.
• Reece Hodge (Unattached / Bayonne): Currently undergoing knee rehabilitation in Bordeaux under surgeon Nicolas Graveleau and physiotherapist Xavier Laurent; despite being sidelined since mid-2024, the 63-cap Wallaby hasn’t ruled out a return to professional rugby with ambitions of pushing for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
• Visesio Kite (La Rochelle): The 17-year-old Australian lock giant (2.04m, 147kg) has signed a long-term development contract extension with Stade Rochelais through to 2030. The former Queensland Reds junior, drawing natural comparisons to Will Skelton, regularly trains with the senior squad and will be eligible for Ronan O’Gara’s Top 14 side when he turns 18 in November.
• The Underdog is excited to see both Prem and URC starting next week, though puffed already regarding the extra workload haha.

The Aus-tracized XV

1. Jack Barrett (Southland)
2. Efi Ma’afu (Nevers)
3. Reginald Churchward (Biarritz)
4. Cameron Holt (Grenoble)
5. Harvey Cordukes (Auckland)
6. Xavier Treacy (Canterbury)
7. Dane Sawers (North Harbour)
8. Ben Houston (Aurillac)
9. Doug Philipson (Manawatu)
10. Jake Strachan (Aurillac)
11. Joey Walton (Montauban)
12. Ben O’Donnell (Aurillac)
13. Angus Staniforth (Aurillac)
14. Nic Benn (Hawke’s Bay)
15. James Ramm (Northland)

Replacements:

16. Angus Wagner (Carcassonne)

17. Lehopa Leota (Racing 92)

18. Daniel Botha (Northland)

19. Izack Rodda (Aix – Provence Rugby)

20. Lachlan Hooper (Northland)

21. Issak Fines (Auckland)

22. Reesjan Pasitoa (Northland)

23. Alex Newsome (Oyonnax)

Aussies Playing Overseas Last Weekend

For the Stats Nerds

For the Stats Nerds 2