This is just a mish-mash of stuff lurking in my head and a good chance to start updating the site in preparation for 2005. The photos scattered throughout were taken by Tony Carter, a Mafia exile in Auckland, at the Shiled triumph and the victory over Harbour.

On Thursday the Chiefs land in Rotorua to play the Highlanders in their final S12 warm-up game. This will be the only Chiefs game in the Bay this year so the Mafia will make the effort to be there. 7pm start, don't be late!

Dangerous G wrote to the Mafia recently ...

The Qatar/Arabian Gulf chapter of the Mafia will be strong this year with at least 8 of us lending our support in exile - 4 Bay locals, 1 Mooloo and 3 from Otago.  My Steamers jersey came with some belated Xmas gifts not too long ago and is currently being worn with pride down at my club

Things I am looking forward to seeing this season:

* Bay retrieving the Log from the Cantabs (lets face it, I'm never going to see my beloved Otago lift the shield in my lifetime - that dream for me died in 1994)
* Glen Jackson making it back for a certain June 4 match
* Big Wayne emptying Dayglo on the same day
* Otago repeating their 1993 triumph over Lions
* Bay making the semis again
* Ditto Otago, for the first time since... um...
 

So we get the first Shield challenge of the season again, this time against our old foes the Cantabs, the only NPC side we haven't beaten in the past 2 seasons. Start saving now for the trip down south, it should be a great weekend.

First there is the small matter of a Lions game to win, June 4th at Rotorua and this game will be massive. The first Lions game here in 12 years and the whole of the rugby world will be watching to see how they go and most people will be hoping the Bay can tip them over. We are building up to this game already so watch out ...