Josh Hohneck Vs Hikairo Forbes: Hohneck has been solid in the absence of Joe Savage. He's a converted loosie so has been pretty good around the field, and has some mongrel. Forbes is good - a former NZ Schools rep alongside guys like Lats, Lance Mcdonald and Jason Hona. Neither is going to be seriously threatening a starting berth in the Chiefs next year. I'd say Forbes has a better chance to make the wider squad, going on historical Dirty Scumbag Bias.

John Pareanga Vs Ole Avei: I don't think either of these two will be picked. Foster has de Malmanche, and will be hopeful of picking up a guy like Hika Elliot in the draft again. Pareanga is the better option in my opinion, so hopefully he can get a shot in the wider squad.

James McGougan Vs Nathan White: This is the case of an exciting up-and-comer and a tradesman. White has been out of the game with serious injury for a while and has been well and truly overtaken be Googs. No contest. McGougan will hopefully go on to cement a starting spot next year and then start pushing for All Black selection.

John Moore Vs Kevin O'Neill: John Moore is a real Bay stalwart. Unfortunately for the big fella he's never going to seriously push for Chiefs selection. O'Neill will again make the squad, perform adequately and that'll be about it. Probably the most lucky All Black in the last ten years - even luckier than the abysmal Scott Hamilton - O'Neill won't go close to All Black selection again.

Culum Retallick Vs Toby Lynn: Retallick has been very good so far this season. When he first arrived in the region from Canterbury he was widely scorned for looking goofy and playing like Ghandi. In the past two years he has improved physically and the accuracy of his game is much better. That said, he'll still be hard-pushed to nail a full-time gig next year, and Lynn will be ahead of him in the pecking order despite being shorter and never really convincing in the Chiefs jersey.

Mark Burman Vs Liam Messam: I almost feel cruel even comparing these two. Burman will hopefully never pack down on the flank for us - or anyone - ever again. Messam is one of the most talented loose forwards New Zealand has produced. It's ironic that an average Waikato product was packing down for us while a Rotorua Phenom was biding his time in Scumbag colours.

Luke Braid Vs Jack Lam: Whilst Lam has looked pretty good from what I've seen, he's no Luke Braid. If you're putting money on the Bay's next All Black, you'd do a lot worse than putting a big sum on Braid. He should be rewarded with a fulltime contract, whilst Lam might go close, or at least get a training squad berth.

Colin Bourke Vs Alex Bradley: Surely now Bourke has done enough to see some serious game time in a Chiefs jersey. He was criminally under-utilised this season. Bradley is an old-school footballer: rough, tough, and not afraid of doing the shit work. He won't go close to the Chiefs, and we'll be left crossing our fingers that someone finally has enough of watching Sione Lauaki play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde week in and week out, and gives Bourke his chance. He's paid his dues well and truly, and deserves a shot.

Junior Poluleuligaga Vs David Bason: In all honesty, I can see both of these two missing out on the full squad next year. I won't be surprised if behind Brendon Leonard they pick young Tawera Kerr-Barlow. I'm not saying it will be a good idea if that happens, but it wouldn't surprise me. A very interesting selection. Polu has been solid but unspectacular so far, and let's hope he can pick it up over the remaining weeks of the comp.

Mike Delany Vs Trent Renata: Delany has been a revelation so far, and he'll again go on to warm the bench for the Chiefs behind Stephen "The Wounded Giraffe" Donald next season. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying it's likely. Renata is a young guy who could potentially be a very good player. Has a booming punt and a good pedigree. Fingers crossed that Delany gets an opportunity to show his stuff a bit more next year.

Jason Hona Vs Alesana Muliaina: Neither of these two will make the Chiefs, nor the wider training squad. Hona has been better in the last two weeks, and will hopefully continue to find his feet at this level. Muliaina is a good footballer, but he's not his brother Mils.

Phil Burleigh Vs Callum Bruce: This is an interesting match-up. Bruce has been a regular starter for the Chiefs, and he brings a no-frills touch to a historically phenomenally-talented Chiefs backline. Burleigh is a good footballer, has a solid kicking game, and is strong enough to look after himself at the next level. He probably won't get a chance to show that in Super 15 just yet, but if he performs well again next season, might be in with a shot.

Cory Aporo Vs Save Tokula: A lot of people might wonder who Tokula is. One thing I can tell you is he's a dangerous attacker. Has been the best Waikato back so far in a pretty limp season. Apart from his two-try haul against Wellington, Aporo has been quiet. I guess it doesn't matter too much who gets picked as the other centre for the Chiefs, because Richard Kahui is in no danger of being overtaken.

Nigel Hunt Vs Henry Speight: This is an odd one. Hunt isn't a winger, and if he gets picked by the Chiefs it won't be in the outsides. His biggest asset is his experience and the fact that he is such a versatile rugby player. Being able to cover half-back might make him a valuable signing. Speight is young, fast and fresh. If he gets picked it will be at the expense of Dwayne Sweeney, and I for one don't think Foster will drop him just yet.

Ben Smith Vs Sosene Anesi: Anesi is already signed to the Waratahs for next season. This leaves the fullback spot wide-open. Smith wouldn't have figured in Foster's fullback plan at the start of the season, but if he can overcome his injuries and get some time in the jersey, he might go close to a spot in the squad. His utility value could be crucial, as he is proficient at centre and on the wing. Zar Lawrence will be livid with his poor form because he had a great chance to pick up a contract and appears to have blown it.

Benches: No one who sat on the bench for the Steamers last week will make the squad. However, it's entirely possible that several of the bench players for the Scumbags might. Guys like Kent Fife, Dwayne Sweeney and Tim Mikkelson could all be picked up by Foster, who is notorious for picking second-string Waikato players ahead of players from the other regions.

Obviously I haven't delved into the Counties-Manukau players, or the blokes from Thames Valley who are, after all, a part of the franchise. Don't think there will be any bolters from the Swamp Foxes this year. Unlucky. Counties could provide a few, but I'd be lying if I said I knew much about any of the players other than the likes of Lelia Masaga, Tim Nanai-Williams and Sherwin Stowers, so I won't weigh in on that.

I also haven't talked about injured players who didn't play last week. This was only an exercise to compare the two teams as they stacked up at around the half-way point of the comp. No doubt as it gets closer to selection of Super 15 teams there will be much more debate. In the meantime, let's keep supporting the boys and hope we can go on to snatch the title.