Byron Kelleher's performance against the Blues was a timely reminder to all 'n' sundry what a quality player that he is.  Just a pity that it takes a whole Super 14 season before he even looks like an All Black.  Lets get him back on the field real quick, so he doesn't forget what it is like to be a quality footballer.

Still with the Chiefs, and their player exodus coming up, perhaps.  I think there is a real case for players like Gibbes, and Hill, to be payed some serious money to be retained in the Chiefs franshise area.  Players like Xavier Rush, Carl Hoeft Kees Meeuws, and Glen Jackson - Todd Blackadder even.  They should have all been kept, and should be kept in New Zealand.  You can build teams around players like that, I am sure the Blues would have given their left testicle to have Rush at the helm this season.  With more money that most small nations, I am sure the NZRFU could entice these blokes to remain on the New Zealand scene, for the betterment of the game.

Are the Blues wingers the two most underused quality winger in the Super 14?  If you had a couple of try scoring merchants like Howlett and Rokocoko at the end of your back line, would not your game sheet read, "Get ball wide, and back the bastards up, repeat dose".  Throw those two into the Crusaders, or the Hurricanes, hell, even the Chiefs wingers get more quality ball than that All Black duo.  Nucifora, perhaps is was as shit as the Brumbies thought.  
 
While on the subject of the Blues, if each franchise could poach one player, who would be stolen for where I wonder.  Here's my thoughts.  Ali Williams to the Crusaders to partner up with Jack, mouthwatering, would rival the Botha / Matfield pairing at the Bulls.  The Chiefs, they would try and snaffle Mealamu again I reckon.  He had a massive season there a couple of campaigns ago, and hooker is lacking there at the moment.  The Highlanders would snap McAlister up so quick his feet wouldn't touch the ground.  Two decent first fives are needed for any campaign, and McAlister would also be able to slot in at 12 to get both the former Harbour boys onto the field in blue.  The Hurricanes, they'd probably plump for Rokocoko, where really they should take Woodcock, and get that tight five really humming. 
 
A last thought on the Blues.  Man for man, as individuals, they are just as good as another team in the Super 14.  As a team though, they combine about as well as oil and water.  You don't get any feeling of team unity or mate-ship in the side - from afar at any rate, unlike at the Crusaders, where it is real 'die for your mates' stuff.  Again, this opinion derived from an armchair 200 kilometers from the nearest action, but shit, that's what it looks like.
 
Speaking of overpaid under performers, here's another, Wendy Sailor.  Always thought he was a dickhead, and now he proves it, with the cocaine thing.  Throw into the mix the generalisation that the sport he came from is full of dicks, you have league reporters / pundits defending his action by saying. "other people do it", so there is nothing wring, he has been victimised by union.  Get over yourselves you sad pricks, just bitter and twisted that boofball now gets poached from, and not vice versa.  I think Wendy, and Andrew Walker before him are proof positive that brain cells are not a necessity when it comes to playing state house rugby.  Follow their logic though, and because other people drink and drive, it is alright, and everyone should be allowed too.
 
Richard McCaw All Black captain, and will be playing against the Paddies, unlike many of the other players involved in the semis and finals of the Super 14.  That explains his two game rest mid season from the Crusaders starting side.  No fallout with Deans, no problems in the Crusaders camp, as that thick fluffybunny Campese was spouting on about.  Just good intelligent man management from the Henry cartel, and of course Robbie Deans.  Probably safer to blame Deans in fact...
 
Chris Masoe, is he the real deal as an openside flanker yet?  It seems to me the Hurricanes loose trio are all very much the same.  You almost have three number eights, or three number sixes running about the field.  Works a treat for them though.  Perhaps Masoe needs a 7.5 on his back, and So'oialo could have one too.  Jerry can have what he wants!!  Back to Masoe, he just seems to lack a half yard of pace (perhaps more, lacks a bit of the anticipation, as he is pretty quick), and his game on the ground just not on a par with the likes of McCaw, Waugh, Holah and their ilk.  But, he has been improving no end at this aspect of the game, and could well end up a more than worthy sub for McCaw.  With the ability to play 6,7 8 though, he is going to be a fixture in black over the next season or two, as the quest for the RWC continues.