I'm convinced this rotation stuff is BS at NPC level... put the best available on the park - game in, game out! It is 9 games, just smash it out.

BOP Lineout kept us in it and made the difference. Need to tidy up everything else...

Pleased to see we are playing Otago - rather them than Wellington for now. I hear the squad is quite beat up, but it has been for some time. Our forwards will be strong - set piece immense this year. 6 strong front rowers (essential nowadays), couple of genuine power locks and a medley of loosies led by the super bound (surely...) Tupe. Not sure how the backs will line up - would like to see Chase Tiatia in for maybe Te Aute. Some question marks over our mid field defence - not sure how we always get opened up at will in this area.

Looking forward to a good semi. Well done to the boys for getting this far. Mid season looked like a potential disaster looming.

I believe Carroll out with concussion, Laupepe has back problems. The latter may be back soon... The squad is walking wounded apparently - but this will be the same for every team.

Addendum - not impressed with the loose trio(s)... 2 fetchers did not work. Karpik had a shocking 10 minutes to start the second half, hence changing the game momentum. As for the big Canadian number 8 - I cannot recall any charging runs by him. Mate - when you are as big as a brick outhouse - carry the damn ball hard! Then we finished the game with 3 small loosies. Surely in the Bay we have some big bruisers (please come back Joe Tupe) who know how to hit and carry.

Impressed with Franklin. Big Super workload and then he puts in an 80 minute performance today.

I thought what Pulu did was stupid, but it was dealt with fairly by the ref. Sumo and co had a good chuckle about it - fair enough - but that kind of crap is why Pulu is not an All Black. Wasted talent really. Hopefully something positive will come out of it all. As a Bay supporter - we should have done more to win this game and we didn't.

Again - reasonably happy with the squad. 10 - 15 the same (amazing how consistent these selections have been this year). Question mark over Ardron at 8, but he adds some height in the lineout with Franklin moving back to lock. I haven't been a Karpik fan, but based on his duet with Blake last week - that is a good loose forward tandem.

Parete probably unlucky to not get a run on position, but his ball carrying did lack his usual go forward in the last 2 weeks. Stowers probably unlucky not to get a bench position for the final. Spare a thought for Retallick - a real BOP soldier over the years and injured for this important game. Also Judd, who was very consistent until; 3 weeks ago, but held us together a lot in the early rounds.

It's very exciting - we have the team to cause a major upset if we can match them up front.

Lance Armstrong's podcast has been really good with some interesting guests. Very honest and up front. I was never an Armstrong fan (cheating bastard) but after listening to his podcast - respect! This bloke is a winner.

The Forward

The Forward Podcast with Lance Armstrong gives the audience a rare and revealing listen into Armstrong's conversations with an eclectic range of personalities—some well-known, others simply with intriguing stories to tell. Guests, which hail from the worlds of politics, entertainment, art, business...

Kane Hames was man of the match, ruthlessly dealt to the reputedly best tighthead in France. Got him yellow carded in the first half - unbelievable!

Reckon Clayton has made a bit of a mess around the last 2 games' selections. Is there too much made of these '3 games in 9 days' routines? F*ck - everyone has to do it!

I know he was targeting the Southland game for the W, but it has all gone a little pear shaped. Maybe we can salvage something against Auckland. Perhaps some of the injured troupe will be available again and will add some fresh legs and spark.

Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty) has been doing a series of one on ones with various people (mainly ex. Bay of Plenty players on their careers, goal setting, fitness regimes etc. Very interesting and worth a watch. I think Mike Delany was the last and Jared Hoeata is next.

The RAW HQ Podcast: link text

@Stargazer Thanks - I'm on it...

Wasn't sure where to post this - but Keepa Mewett (Bay of Plenty) has been doing a series of one on ones with various people (mainly ex. Bay of Plenty players on their careers, goal setting, fitness regimes etc. Very interesting and worth a watch. I think Mike Delany was the last and Jared Hoeata is next.

The RAW HQ Podcast: link text

I believe Carroll out with concussion, Laupepe has back problems. The latter may be back soon... The squad is walking wounded apparently - but this will be the same for every team.

BOP Lineout kept us in it and made the difference. Need to tidy up everything else...

@shark Granted - Cridge carried injuries in his Hurricanes tenure - I was very critical that he had tied up a spot. But when he got fit - holy hecka! - he is a beast and has an abrasive quality I don't see so much when looking around the other franchises. Not sure of his fitness status currently - I feel for the young man if he is injured again.

Both Cridge and Parsons are quality locks.

@trooa What position? How is he going?

Good to see Hepetema being given an opportunity. Not sure of the count - but it does appear if post/pre season injuries for Super squads is very high. I wonder if it is the culmination of a long season (Super, NPC, additional representative games) - where players haven't had a chance to allow for injuries to heal properly. Or alternatively, just the bashing undertaken in pre season is too much - although I would assume that it is fitness only (i.e. climbing bloody hills) as it is too early for contact.

I am sure that there is a PhD there for someone who looks at it hard enough!

Kane Hames was man of the match, ruthlessly dealt to the reputedly best tighthead in France. Got him yellow carded in the first half - unbelievable!