Highlanders 12 v Waratahs 15

The Match:

Well, another heroic loss for the nobodies of the Clan.  Another gutsy effort, but again, pulled up short, and still no tick in the win column this season.  Top effort again from a gutsy pack, and the underpowered back line.  A win will come for these blokes, and I would not be too surprised if it is next week against the Hurricanes.  The Canes need the win to keep their semi final hopes on track, while the Clan are pretty much gone for all money already, so the win would not be a shock to this upset picker anyway!  If you pick enough of them, one will come right after all...

The Waratahs were well led again by their Orc packing down on the side of the scrum, Phil Waugh.  He, along with McCaw the form opensiders of the Super 14 at the moment - the games I have seen anyway.  Kurtly Beale going through his apprenticeship nicely too.  Certainly getting better and better as he goes.  More comfortable at this level anyway.

The Hurricanes had the wnning of the game until a badly executed option from first five, and Bay boy Mike Delany.  A kick though straight into the bread basket of the Waratahs second five (I think it was), and seconds later, a try to big number eight Palu.  Followed closely by a brain explosion from the big man who punched tackler Jimmy Cowan on the head - got a yellow card for that action, but should have been landed with a red for that effort.  Perhaps Palu has lost an IQ point for every kilo of weight that he lost, sort of like Samson...

The Players:

Again the Highlanders pack battled well above their paper weight.  On paper, they should be smashed every week, but fortunately props like Clint Newlands and Jamie MacIntosh have trouble reading, so when they but heads with the Matt Dunnings of this world, all they see is the fat little popo that he is, and don't think "this guy has played x amount of tests and x amount of Super games, and just get stuck in and demolish him!!  Newlands and MacIntosh are fast becoming a very solid front row along with their bald headed hooker Jason MacDonald, who again was solid.

Solid performances again from the Clan second row, Ross and Donnelly again, honest toilers that won't let you down.  Ross looking more confortable at this level of rugby now.

Setephano again at the heart of the effort for the Highlanders.  Why this boy has been neglected at this level for the last few years is beyond me!  I am sure the Chiefs would even like to exchange this hard working number eight for the lemon they have at the back currently...  I think Newby will be rushed back into the seven jersey when he is fit again.  Adam Thompson again super subbed into the game and scored a try, a nice chase of a kick and dribble of the ball before controlling and dotting down for what could have been the winning try...

Jimmy Cowan again showed that he is the best defensive half in New Zealand rugby.  The rest of his game coming along nicely too, probably would be second in the rankings now if the Cartel had a ranking system for players, which I dare say they do. 

Delany a bit nervous in this game and didn't look comfortable really, but if he gets another shot next week (doubtful), he would be better for it I am sure.  The rest of the backline again solid, Ta’auso and Vainakolo the most penetrative of the blouses.  Every move that the Clan back line posses should revolve around these two, and be aimed at giving Vainakolo a half a yard start on his opposite.  Do that and I am sure tries would come flooding in!!

The Score:

Waratahs 15:   (B Jacobs, W Palau tries; K Beale pen, con),
Highlanders 12:   (F Vainikolo, A Thompson tries; J Wilson con).
HT: 10-12.