Thankfully, for me and my tipping anyway, normal transmission was resumed with the Waratahs beating the Lions, and the Hurricanes and Highlanders both going down in the Republic.  A hell week for tipping that is for sure, and the top of the Super 14 Log is now congested as hell, with nine of the 14 Super teams in with a genuine shout of playing semi final rugby this season!

First off those Chiefs.  The game was a cracker from start to finish, from when Mils almost slid through a gap in the first minute, through to when Aled de Melmanche bludgeoned his way through one near the end.  Almost a classic you would say if you were a Chiefs fan, and not one you will remember fondly if are a follower of 'Gods Warriors'.

Chiefs defended their arses off, and, gasp, Stephen Donald orchestrated the whole thing from start to finish.  His kicking was spot on, option taking impeccable, and passing superb.  Highlight of the match though, I am sure for all front rowers, and most rugby aficionados, was the Simms Davison try.  A scintillating 50 metre run (OK, maybe 30), showing more toe than a roman sandal (an oldy but a goody that one), a fend that Frank Bunce would have been proud of (another oldy and goody),  and finally the plummet to the line, with assistance from Mils Muliaina's push in the back.  I think just a gentle reminder to the big guy to put the ball down, you've made it, stop running, or you'll demolish the grandstand on your way through...  It was a cracking try in a cracking game, try of the season.  And gasp again, made by a Stephen Donald chip and re-gather, the man could almost do no wrong this week!!

Anyway, a thumping victory for the Chiefs, that keeps them in the hunt for a semi final spot.  Although, I, like all other Chiefs fans, am bracing myself for the slip-up before the end of the race - the Queensland Reds this weekend at home would be a good place for that slip too, but surely, a lose to the Reds - never!!

As expected, the Hurricanes could not back up their 50 points against the Bulls with a win over the Stormers.  If they had lost to the Bulls, then the Stormers would have been killed.  They didn't, so they weren't...  And that 50 points last week - apparently the first time the Hurricanes have topped the 50 in about ten years - not what you would not expect from this attack at all costs team!!  Something like that anyway, back in the 90s the last time they got a half ton.

The Highlanders - still a few sandwiches short of a picnic in the complete team department.  Someone send them a first five and a midfield back though, and they are there I would reckon.  Forwards not far off the pace, outside backs more than capable.  Keep the core of this side together, and next year will see the win loss columns on a much more even keel.  Keeping the side together though seems a hard thing to do at the moment for any Kiwi team, and it looks as if already Hoani MacDonald is off shore next season, so the Highlanders are no different, even though they couldn't buy a win if they tried!!

So a top four of Crusaders (38 points), Sharks (32), Waratahs (31) and Stormers (27), with the Chiefs (27), Hurricanes (26), Blues (25), Brumbies (24) and Farce (24) all within a win of the playoffs.  Exciting times ahead for these groups of supporters.  The Crusaders and the Sharks look almost safe, the Crusaders anyway with their 38 points, and haven't the Waratahs quietly achieved this season, after looking pretty ordinary at times.  Only two losses for these lads, bettered only by the Crusaders and the Sharks, with a loss apiece.  A top four in a months time?  Look out for the Crusaders, the Sharks, the Stormers, and one other from the Waratahs (probable), and the chasing cast of thousands!!  A far cry from the Crusaders versus Blues final many were predicting after just a month of competition!!