So, the first loss that I watched, the Wellington game.  First thoughts, how the hell do you lose when you have that much position and possession?  Easy, convert 20% of your line breaks, while the opposition convert each and every one of theirs.  Wellington were lethal in their finishing.  Living of scraps of turnover possession, they turned it all into gold - heartbreaking to watch.

Where do the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' fall down and off the pace.  One position, two jerseys.  The 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' wing spots are major problems, although one of them could solve the unions financial woes.

Yes, selling Toby Arnold to science as a cure for most diseases would not be a silly idea.  What?  How?  Well, in that Wellington game, no matter what was thrown at him, he didn't catch it.  There must be some gene in his body that does not allow him to catch anything.  So a million dollar body on Mr Arnold, at least...

OK, so that was lame, but about as lame as Arnolds hands in that Wellington game.  At one stage he put the ball down three times in about a minute.  Poor bastard.  He's in the big time now though, playing with the big boys, so he needs to adapt, or die, so to speak.

Hona on the other wing has not been that bad, but certainly another weak spot.  And if an old reprobate like me can spot these things, than those highly paid coaches in the ANZC surely will too.

Other than those weaknesses, the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' side is pretty well balanced, just lacking a touch of fire power in the scoring department, and a start for the second spell.  Two weeks in a row - the Otago win, and the Auckland loss has seen the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' come out for the second forty and watch their opponents play rugby for 10 or 20 minutes before pulling themselves off the mat and getting stuck in again.  They managed to hold on and win against Otago, but not Auckland.

Meanwhile, as the Mafia readers (both of you), wait for more on that Wellington loss...  Yes, that loss.  Again, the forward pack was pretty monumental, the tight forwards dishing it out to their Super 14 contracted opponents, with the loose forwards battling a bit for a change. 

McGougan had probably his best game for the Bay at TH prop, and must be a shoe in for a Super 14 contract, if not with the Chiefs, than with the Highlanders, who have no props to speak of apart from young LH Jamie McIntosh.  The Crusaders with the loss of Somerville and Johnstone might look at the big man too, but really, the Chiefs should have his name inked in for the 2009 squad already.

Joe Savage would not be far off the pace either, he is playing a sight better than the Waikato props, but then, they are Waikato, and the Chiefs once were called the WAIKATO Chiefs, and that was for a reason.  He may too get looked at by the Clan if the Chiefs shit all over his parade.

Pareanga is probably the best hooker in the Chiefs region at the moment, but again, that slight bias that the Chiefs have for Dirty Scumbag Waikato will see him shafted.  Although, I would not complain too much if a Hika Elliot or Dane Coles got the Chiefs gig, or both of them even.  But if he misses out to DSW players that are playing shit, than may the fleas from a thousand camels rapidly infest Ferrit Fosters armpits. 

The above three players steamrolled the Wellington pack at times, which included Super 14 veteran Timmy Fairbrother and 2 test All Black John Schwalger.  They are doing this week in and week out against top level teams, it must be getting noticed by those in the higher levels of Kiwi rugby - the Cartel even, good TH props do not grow on trees you know...

Retallick and Moore, two very underrated locks who are forming a powerful second row combination - the best pair since the days of Upton and Sorenson during the heady 2004 and 2005 seasons.  Retallick in particular doing more and more each week, his close in charges with the ball a combination of power and power - their is no beauty to his step, step, fend, meanders from rucks and mauls, but he always forces his way over the advantage line.  Moore getting more involved too with the ball in hand in open play which is good to see.

The loose trio were outplayed by the Wellington three, Bourke the best of the trio, but Lats seemed to be at the breakdown by himself half the time - Bourke or King needing to support the captain a little more! 

Then the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' man of the match, the dearly departed Jamie Nutbrown.  More breaks than Evil Knievil, and tidy in the rest of his game, as he always is.  I don't know why this man sodded off overseas, he must have been in with a royal chance of an All Black tour at the end of the season - after Cowan and Weepu, the cupboard is pretty bare - Ellis doesn't count.

Hunt and Delany had their moments, as did Aporo - all three very solid in this game, making breaks and doing all those things the blokes with two numbers on their backs are meant to do.

Then the problem areas, wings and fullback.  Yes, fullback a bit of a problem still, Lawrence an adequate player to be sure, but he is no Don Clarke on defence.  Attack his strong suit, but flaky would be a good way to describe him.   Enough about the weak spots, lets ignore them and hope they go away...

Wellington won this game, 45-11 or something - check the table on the right there - but the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' were in it for the whole game, despite the score, if that makes sense!

Anywho, enough waffle, the Skitzo player of the year points for the Wellington game go to...

3 Nutbrown,

And that Auckland game.  We came, we saw, we stumbled and fell...   Top performances from ahh, no one really stood out, the usual suspects I suppose.  Retallick strong with his ball carrying rumbles, the front row again getting the better of the scrum battle, Latimer and Bourke busy, the midfield and Delany earning their wages, and the recalled Tipuna, taking a while to warm to the task, but once he had got up to speed, was sharp once again.

So a 20-25 loss for the 'mighty TRADESTAFF Steamers' against the bloody Aucklanders.  Skitzo points awarded in this game too...

3 Latimer

Giving a running total of...

Latimer 10;  Bourke 9;  Nutbrown 7; Delany, Retallick 5;  McGoughan 3;  Pareanga2;  King 1.