Nacewa leads Leinster to win

Kiwi-born Isa Nacewa could crown one of the greatest comebacks in professional rugby by leading Leinster to his fourth European Champions Cup title.

The 34-year-old win scored a try as the leading Irish province thrashed English premiership leaders Wasps 32-17 before 50,000 fans in Dublin yesterday in the Heineken Cup quarterfinal.

Nacewa is a born-again rugby player after initially retiring in March 2013 after five years - and three European Cup titles - with Leinster.

He said he was returning for family reasons to Auckland where he took up a role as mental skills trainer with the Blues Super Rugby franchise.

But Nacewa was lured back to Dublin in April 2015 on a one-year contract with Leinster.

He announced last month he was extending his stay to the end of the 2017-18 season.

Nacewa’s popularity at Leinster was underlined when he was elected captain by his peers, who include 12 Leinster-born players.

Leinster established their dominance over Wasps with three tries in the first half, the first to Nacewa.

New Zealand-born Leinster fullback Joey Carbery set up two tries, including Nacewa’s with a brilliant flat pass.

(Jaco Kriel, Malcolm Marx, Courtnall Skosan tries; Elton Jantjies 2 con, 4 pen, Andries Coetzee drop goal)

(Coenie Oosthuizen, Kobus van Wyk tries; Curwin Bosch 2 con, 4 pen, drop goal). HT: 13-16 at Emirates Airlines Park, Joburg.

5.15pm

at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7.35pm at GIO Stadium, Canberra, 9.45pm