It’s an odd reaction to a loss. Happy and relieved that we are finally competing consistently. Delighted to see us scare the Cantabs and the Speights-sippers. Mad and annoyed and furious that we lost all the same, but relieved. Can anyone else recall the last time in four consecutive games the Steamers scrum outdoing their opposites? Yes, I know, some of us are too young for our own good. According to the Irvines advert, our forwards all deserve a pie. Oh, and a DB too but I gather they aren’t the sponsor of choice. But it seems to be in such areas that things have changed for the better. Fitness training for the forwards no longer consists of running to the nearest bakery and running home whilst balancing a tray full of pies for immediate consumption. Our forwards are competing and a real force to be reckoned with. Whoever recruited Ben Castle should be immediately rewarded with several pies and multiple DB’s, and if Simms Davison doesn’t get a Super 12 contract on current form a certain franchise might have to watch its back. Even Paul Tupai looks to be disciplined in his play!

Features of the BoP performances have been the much tighter defense and the ability to fight back. In both games against the Southern men we’ve been looking in trouble in the later stages of the first half, and each time fought back in ways 2001 and 2002 vintage Steamers sides would have struggled to. The backs have been solid. Senio has been a revelation at halfback, his clearance times clearly vindicating the non-selection of LeLeivre in 2003. Jackson as always had run the backline well and kicked goals wonderfully, but a couple of his clearance kicks from penalties and some matador like defense have been below his usual standards. Grant McQuoid looks useful in the midefield and Bunting has run strongly and made his tackles well. Baxter has real gas and Kaui has been solid and dependable at the back. Tahana looks a mixed bag. He’s our top try scorer and does some things very well and has real pace. He also has a tendency to bat or throw the ball away in 50/50 situations (refer to Otago’s counter attacking try from a kick off in the first half and a couple of other 50/50 passes) and allowed an openside flanker (Josh Blakie) to do him on the outside. Still, he’ll get better with experience.

Anyway, enough of my rambling..

Some Recent Highlights:

-         Clayton Macmillan’s fend on the increasingly enfeebled Anton Oliver.

-         Did somebody say BONUS POINTS???

-         Nili Latu. Don’t know where he’s emerged from but keep searching there for more of the same!

-         Our scrum! Take that Carl Soft! Err… I mean Hoeft…  

-         Jacko’s goal kicking and guidance of general play

-         Damon Kaui. If only we could have used him during the last five years…

Some Recent low points:

-         The last two results

-         Grant McQuoid’s switch of direction “pass” in the dying minutes of the O-Goat-o game

-         THAT forward pass from Lutui to Bunting

-         Jacko’s tackling and kicking for touch from penalties

-         Baxter going off injured.

-         Southland winning. Unless of course Harbour continues its fine display so far in the dreaded battle for the Wooden Spoon.

Super 12 watch:

The following should all be in the running for Super 12 contracts at this stage of the NPC season: Glen Jackson, Wayne Ormond, Simms Davison, Aleki Lutui, Nili Latu, and Kevin Senio.

Honourable mentions to Ben Castle and Alan Bunting.

See you all at the Naki game in the Mount this weekend!! No excuses. Being the Mafia we know where you live…