The Highlanders went down to the Chiefs 36-31 last night in Dunedin. What a game!! The lead see-sawed back and forth and really it was anyone's game right up until the last few minutes. When Fa'atau scored a try for the Chiefs with nine minutes left on the clock it put his team out in front. The Highlanders had an opportunity to strike back, and opted to kick into touch rather than take a penalty kick 3 points shortly afterwards. They blew the lineout though, and their golden opportunity was no more. That's rugby!

There was a swag of quality rugby and phases of play in the game. There were numerous stand out players. Byron K was all over the shop and Marty Holah was everywhere as well for the Chiefs . Seilala Mapusua should have gotten a medal for effort, while Blackie was sensational for the Highlanders. How good is that Nick Evans btw?

Sensational rugby! I reckon if NZ rugby figures out how to put the AB team together then the rest of the world is in deep sh*t.

Just one sad thing.... it stuffed my tips right from the start this week :) Can't wait to see how the Brumbies and Reds go this arvo.

Later!

Righto! Got those registration forms sorted out... so I guess it's time for me to do my weekly 'make a fool' of myself with my super 12 rugby tipping. I'm sure I'm not the only one struggling with tipping this Super 12 comp - there sure have been some surprising performances and results.

Okay here goes.

Highlanders over the Chiefs in Dunedin tonight. Maybe Byron Kelleher will get confused playing for the Chiefs at the House of Pain and inadvertently help out the Otago boys - I can almost hear the 'Byron, pass it here' calls now :))

Tomorrow I'm tipping the Brumbies over the Crusaders in Christchurch. Let's face it, that game can go either way but I'm sure if the Brumbies get in there fast and furiously and take it up to the Crusaders they just might pull off a win. Either that or they'll play like crap and get totally hammered!

Also tomorrow the Hurricanes over the Reds in Wellington. I hope I'm wrong - again, but Elton Flatley is back out - AGAIN after rupturing a tendon in his right thumb at training last night. *sigh*

On Sunday I'm tipping the Sharks over the Cats (can I tick that one off do you think?), and I reckon the Blues will get up over the Waratahs in Auckland on Sunday afternoon. King Carlos is back to lead his men, and given the Tahs form in the last few matches I can hardly tip otherwise. But, you never know. Again, if the Tahs take it right up to the Blues they stand a chance, but if they don't then they're duck meat.

Okay, that's it for my tips this week. Enjoy round 7 of Super 12 everyone :)

I know it's Friday - I'll get my tips up a bit later on... currently I'm attempting to load some junior player registration forms to their place in space... and I'm tearing my hair out.. ARRRRRRRRRRRGH!

That feels better :) Off to fight with it some more!

Patricio Noriega has decided to retire from rugby. The Wallabies will miss the big prop who is one tough cookie on the field. Noriega, who played for the Brumbies and also the Waratahs has had a distinguished rugby career. Good luck to him on his future endeavours!

The poor old Waratahs aren't having much luck - Phil Waugh has a pinched nerve in his shoulder so he's out for this weekend's clash against the Blues. Burke comes back off the bench to play at outside centre, and Berne will be the flyhalf. Good thing the Blues have their own problems at the moment :/

That's about it for now!

Big blow for the Auckland Blues. Rupeni Caucaunibuca has a shoulder ligament injury that is expected to require surgery and is expected to be out of the game for six months. Bad luck for the big winger :/

Good news for the Auckland Blues though in that speedster Joe Rokocoko should be back from injury to replace Caucau. Watch out this weekend Waratahs!

Elton Flatley has been cleared to play for the Reds this weekend - yay! Let's hope Flats can rustle up some better form from the boys!

That's it for the present. Cheers!

Well - what a weekend! My tipping was it's usual below par stuff.... how (un)surprising.

The Hurricanes and Blues drew 26 all on Friday night. I tipped the Hurricanes to win - at least they didn't lose :)

On Saturday the Chiefs thumped the Waratahs 32-17. The comp started so well for the Tahs... now with Mat Rogers out and three losses in a row they must be feeling dispirited. Someone needs to give them a good kick up the proverbial and tell them to get on with it! (Byron Kelleher is starting to look quite handsome in that Chiefs jersey:)

The Jade stadium crew had plenty to cheer about on Saturday when the Crusaders had a convincing win over the Highlanders 46 - 29. That's two games in a row for wins for the Crusaders - they've definately got themselves moving in the right direction. Look out!

I had tipped the Stormers for weeks and they couldn't do the right thing, so I didn't tip them for their game against the Bulls and what happens? Stormers thump the Bulls 25-11. I give up!

Yesterday's game between the Brumbies and the Reds was sad. 51-8 with the Brumbies amassing seven tries to the Reds one. Wahhhh! I like both teams - it's confusing when they play because I'm barracking for both sides. I don't even want to say anything further about the game. The score says it all :/

The highlight this weekend in rugby was of course the France - England clash. France 24 - England 21!! That would make France the Six nations winners!! Poor old King Clive, what's he to do about all that then? heh... heh... it's gotta hurt.. heh.. Congratulations France!

I'll have to update the points table later - got some offline stuff to go and do, but the Brumbies are sitting on top with 19 points. The Bulls aren't far behind, 18 points, the Tahs are sitting on 16 and the Stormers are on 15. That's the top 4.

Later!