Otago where the only team to actually read, listen & fully understand the form book in the only games of the final round that mattered....the games that decided the final positions in the top 4!

Beating a brave Harbour side clinched top spot & a home semi for the Scarfies. At last they may not be the bridesmaids of NZ rugby!

Well done Taranaki! By beating Waikato you ensured that no Auckland region team made the semi's. The whole country worships your achievements. You also made the semi's on merit through your gutsy performances. Lets see if TV Auckland.......errrrr.......New Zealand now gives you the recognition you deserve. Don't count on it though.

It's great for NZ rugby that the talent base is now spread so widely. The professional era should mean that no union or team will ever dominate as much as those Auckland teams of the late 80's & early nineties. GOOD!

Counties-Manukau. WHAT A MAGNIFICENT EFFORT! They fully deserved their win against the Cantabs. For the red 'n' blacks to be up 21 points after 15 mins & lose by 49 - 42 was a bit of a disaster for us (sob sob), but realistically we didn't deserve to win.

Vinderi had an absolute stormer, as did Lomu. How good will the Chiefs be next year with the basis of the Ranfurly shield holding team (Waikato) with those 2 barnstorming monsters on the wing!

The injury ravaged Cantabs are not looking good to retain their NPC title. I hope I'm wrong there mind you. Turnovers & not taking scoring opportunities where our biggest problems (shades of the shield challenge last week?). Our defense is in tatters at the moment.

It's hard to blame individual players. They all seem to be trying hard. Mehrts is still looking good, as is Marshall. Bub's midfield defense was sorely missed. As was Maxwell & the underrated Angus Gardiner. Toddy remains an inspiration. That spark seems to have disappered though. They're still in with a chance.....but.....not sure really. It will require a huge effort, a bit of that famed Canterbury guts & pride. As Toddy stated when accepting the Super 12 final "...B, S & G...". Blood, Sweat & Guts!. They lift themselves for the big ones....& they don't come much bigger than this!

Playing Waikato again at the Mooloos home ground is a nightmare semi though!

Semi finals: Otago v's Taranaki at the 'Brook Waikato v's Canterbury at Rugby Park in Hamilton.

My common sense pick for the final: Otago v's Waikato at the 'Brook!

Otago to win that one! That would make an interesting spread of the major trophies wouldn't it?
Canterbury Crusaders - Super 12 Waikato - Ranfurly Shield Otago - NPC

My stubborn pride pick for the final: Otago v's Canterbury at the 'Brook!

GO THE CANTABS!

DH

We're the boys from Christchurch We all wear the red 'n' black And we're so good we make up For what the others lack!
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