As the heavy fog began to clear from my head Sunday morning afternoon, I started to have flashbacks of the previous evening, I had a strange recollection that a rugby game or two had taken place, but I wasn’t sure if that was before or after the visit to the wholesaler or service station. I wasn’t concerned that my mouth tasted like Styrofoam, nor how I think I met someone called Jonathan Craplin…but I was concerned that apparently I was calling his name out all night,  my girlfriend was even more concerned when I apparently included her into my conversation by suggesting we were getting shafted by this guy I had only just met.

Taking a bite out of half a cold big ben pie that was left on the coffee table, reminded me of the Chiefs season. Yeah the pie was somehow good in flavour, but that stale beer odour that that filled my nose from the empties that surrounded me left me with nausea. Like most Chiefs supporters I was happy making the semi finals, but I knew if we played the best available players in the franchise all season, we could have gone even further in the competition.

The mafia didn’t demand nor expect every BoP player to make the Chiefs team, after all the franchise isn’t based in Tauranga…yet. After watching that semi-final last night I saw some great performances from some of the players, notably some of the BoP  players in particular.

Jackson had a mixed season though, his lack of form in the middle, did appear to resemble, lack of game time and subsequent injury. He certainly was able to play the game plan the coach asked of him and his goal kicking was reliable, you still have to wonder why he wasn’t given any game time against the Cats. Although he did make mistakes this season, he was certainly better than a lot of other first fives around the country and made far less mistakes than his Waikato counterpart

Wayne Ormond, the angry workaholic had a slow start, then excelled with the more opportunities he had, including being all over the park in the semi final. A real star in the making of the franchise. The whole squad, when they were asked also lifted their games, but these weren’t necessarily the best players available in the Chiefs franchise.

Clearly some of the players we thought should have made the squad, and should have been given a chance. I'm sure if the Chiefs really wanted to, they would have organized Lutui’s visa on time, instead we don’t really see Aleki till the semi, where he gets 25 minutes of real impact. Showing that we was clearly the number two hooker in the region behind Willis. Not third, nor fourth behind a NZ colt who hasn’t even played NPC.

Simms Davison, had a great season and deserved his spot. One of the real talented young props coming through the system, it would be a shame to see him move to Auckland. Gary Dawson said he would help Simms stay in the BoP, but that was before Hayman’s name has been mentioned, I would not be surprised to suddenly see Simms move north if Waikato can lure Carl…

Boss and Maisey, lifted their games when needed without being brilliant, which makes you wonder how much impact the likes of McQuoid and Senio would have had, given the same opportunity. As would have Castle and Upton.

Given that Miller plays like a league fullback and only knows how to run it back into the line and take the first tackle, turning the ball over more often than not, Adrian Cashmore in his only ten minutes of S12 this year added a lot of class and you have to wonder what he would have been able to contribute if he had being given more time. Considering he was in the squad for the remaining few games, it was a shame Foster and management played the Waikato first policy, right to the end.

So as I lie back down on the couch, barely able to lift the remote, let alone wipe the pie off my shirt, I congratulate the Chiefs on a great season. I'm even able to break a wry smile through the pain searing through my head, ( the panadol clearly not working), as I know that the Steamers will be a real force in this years NPC, semi final contenders, and Ranfurly shield holders, the blue and gold hooped army are mobilizing as we speak!

*cue evil laugh*

Bring on the NPC…!