While the media, life-long Dirty Scumbags and Bogans alike seethed at a perceived slight against their beloved Hamilton last week, no one seemed to spare a thought for the Bay of Plenty Steamers. If Hamilton is a boring city, then a trip to Invercargill could best be described as Catatonic.

Some back-country farmers from down south like to refer to the bright lights of Invercargill as "Inver-Vegas", which always pisses me off, being from Rotorua. It seems a little apt, however, in hindsight. The coaches this week chose to gamble with Waikato cast-off Mark Burman on the blindside flank; a move which was widely questioned on these boards in the days before the match. You would have to say that just like in Las Vegas, the house always wins. Burman was a weak link in our pack I thought, and showed a distinct lack of pace when Tuineau cantered past him for his try.