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Brumbies need to realise that they don't have the power in the maul without Arnold and adapt to another plan. I know some NZ posters will criticise Murphy (the ref), but they will not be as loud as me. He is just not up to Super Rugby standard.

Will Genia must the the most annoying player in the country. Great talent but refuses ti get his hands dirty at ruck time. And what's with Koroibete defending in the centres? Not the best defender anyway, but put him up against BB and it looks extremely ugly.

Blues are a bogey team for the Brumbies. On top of that, the Brumbies are already better than the usual performance against NZ sides by having a win v the Chiefs. The portents are not good.

Apart from Valetini, who? McCaffrey isn't small, but not really a big backrower either. Otherwise, the likes of Douglas and Enever have been used at 6 but they are both locks, not backrowers.

A bonus point draw to the Crusaders? Not often that happens.

I wasn't clear Reg. I meant from watching him in SS in previous years. Happy to admit that I haven't seen him in action this year.

Yep, I did watch the game, through impartial eyes. I didn't think Bernard had a good game at all, but I've thought that of all of his games (well most of them) this year. He is not in the form I'd want to see in a Wallaby, and certainly his defensive efforts have been a big part of that slump.

Will Miller is an odd case. Very good player, but typically of Tahs backrowers the last few seasons, not a physically imposing figure. More of the same of Pete Samu and Jahrome Brown I think.

Brumbies Team 1. James Slipper 2. Folau Fainga’a 3. Allan Ala'alatoa 4. Rory Arnold 5. Sam Carter 6. Tom Cusack 7. Jahrome Brown 8. Pete Samu 9. Joe Powell 10. Christian Lealiifano (c) 11. Toni Pulu 12. Irae Simone 13. Len Ikitau 14. Henry Speight 15. Tom Banks REPLACEMENTS 16. Connal...

From watching on TV, a good club man, has pace and good defense. Some ability to break the line in attack. Should go ok. For my money, the better No 13 in SS is Guy Porter at Uni. Surprised he hasn't (apparently) been picked up by a Super Rugby team.

KOB, I think the stats for the Sharks game were 2 tackles made and 5 missed. Is that a level above what? The floor?

From my viewing, Harris was the standout over both games and should lock down the No 8 spot. I am also impressed with Tafa, and have seen him play lock for Northern Suburbs. He could well come in for Ha'angana who I thought was a bit disappointing in game 1. I would have Robertson over...

I don't think it is very clear cut BH. Professional fouls have been unpenalised throughout the history of rugby. Even where there is retaliation, mostly it is the retaliator who cops the wrath of the ref. In many cases, a ref has been in the process of awarding a penalty against the initial...

Didn't see one performance in this game that would replace a player from the first game v Japan. Different opposition and weather conditions, but so unimpressive overall.

Exactly. And imo he was only a better than average No 12 when he played outside Bernie.

George Smith? But I do agree entirely with your point Reg.

Please tell me exactly what Nasser did in that game. The scrum was a shambles so he didn't contribute much there, and he was virtually invisible around the park. Bell was not much better. Very impressive running with the ball but again he was badly shown up at scrum time. As Nutta says, "meat...

Slim, two of the games to yet be played are derbies versus the Tahs and Reds. A win in those would counteract the bye, so the success or otherwise is still pretty much in the hands of the Brumbies.

Although part of a surprisingly weaker scrum, Will Harris looked immense in general play. Some of his tackles would have shaken the bones of the tackled player.

Don't think I've seen a half back with less feel for the game than the Sharks' No 9 in this game. He has been atrocious.