Other games this weekend

[Alison]

You got your request! Brumbies by 6 tries to 1 (anyone told them you don't get bonus points any more?) Even when the Brumbies were down to 13 men the Stormers couldn't score! I'm not sure they were even the 7th best team in the comp

So much for them resting all those players last week!

[SNOB]

Great game from the Brumbies.
Will Speight be handed a couple of match bans for the silly tackle or will they let it go? Could run into Wallaby matches if they go for a long ban. Saying which I'm not sure he'd make the wallabies ATM.

[hertryk]

Have to commend the callers for the NZ game..I had to go to bed for the Brumbies v Stormers game.. rain interrupted reception and I just couldn't bear the clap trap from the Aussie callers.. time for them to go and hang up their mikes I reckon....

[wholetruth]

Could not agree more. I also think they were trying to pretend they were actually in Cape Town but it was quite obvious they were in a studio in Sydney watching on the box just like us. Why not use the Saffa commentators. They are also a cut above Fox.
And if anyone needs convincing how things shoud be done then listen to the commentaries of English Aviva games. But NOT the fool who umms and errs his way through the Top French league with experts like Digby Ioane for Chrissakes.
It was great to be able to watch the Lions Tests with either the Fox or English commentators. Easy choice

[shasta]

But NOT the fool who umms and errs his way through the Top French league

He's really bloody terrible isn't he? Can actually put you off watching.

[SinBin]

Wow what a game between Highlanders and the Chiefs!

A really exciting brand of rugby and a demonstration of the type of product that will actually promote the game. Non of this constant rolling mauls and endless bloody scrum resets which IMHO is testing the patience of die-hard fans.

[shasta]

Isn't Kearns a sook.

[Alison]

He's a dick!

[jono]

Complete fuckwit...

As an aside - any fog forecast for next Saturday in Wellington?

[WFDom]

Isn't Kearns a sook.

Absolute fu&k trumpet!!!

[blueandblack]

Complete fuckwit...

As an aside - any fog forecast for next Saturday in Wellington?

Fog? No. Rain? yes. http://www.metservice.com/towns-citi...city#!/ten-day

[andrewg]

FoxSports commentators true to form in both games.

Best poor performance from Tim Horan talking up Jacques Potgeiter's efforts/impact over the past 2 years.

Don't just listen to me have a look at his stats for yourself. They aren't all that fantastic and well below most Aussie No 6s.

Tim Horan beatup: "Jacques has been averaging well over 50m per game".

Reality: In 2014 JP averaged 30m per 80 minutes. In 2015 JP averaged 19m per 80 minutes.

As for his "swinging arm" effort tonight. For some time now his swinging arm (they used to be called "short-arm jolts") when going into contact, esp cleanouts, have been an area of concern. I'm pleased that this has now been highlighted on the big stage.

[Macattack]

Summary for me
Cheika comprehensively out-coached, Highlanders game plan worked really well and the Tahs couldn't adapt to it.
Far, far too many skill errors from the Tahs, turnovers, crap passes and appalling line out display
Tahs outmuscled in many contests
Couple of individual performances well below acceptable levels for a team that rich in internationals, Phipps probably the most obvious
Damn disappointing it is an all NZ final (but at least it will be quality rugby)

[SNOB]

Tahs were pretty much dominated! This doesn't give me much hope for the Wallabies!
Q, who have been the most penalised team this year? I'm fairly sure it must be the Tahs but could well be wrong. Again not good news for the Wallabies.

[GIGS20]

I'm translating Macattack's response to the game into Fox-speak.....here goes.

Michael Cheika has completed a coaching master stroke by ensuring that the Wallabies get another week in training camp before the international season kicks off. The New Zealanders will be tired and run the risk of injuries to their key players by playing next week.

Several of the Waratahs players had season defining performances tonight. Will Skelton was a handful in everything he did and Nick Phipps was lively all night. Sure a couple of passes went astray, but that was simply evidence of how hard he was trying.

The Highlanders played a simple game plan and got the rub of the green from the ref with a dubious yellow card to Potgeiter and some atrocious reffing in general play. All credit to the highlanders, they took their opportunities when they presented themselves, but this was an example of how the better team lost on the night.