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Great contest. Wallabies just couldn't match the AB intensity. Wonderful in patches, competitive in others, occasionally terrible, especially in the first half. At least Matt Giteau redeemed himself. Not so Cliffy Palu, who had a shocker, and whose injury turned into a blessing.

Extraordinary work at the breakdown by the ABs - by which I mean the cleaning out. Ferocious stuff. Not so their slowing down of the ball. Pity that J. Kaplan, having given a card warning for infringements at the breakdown to both teams by twenty minutes into the game, proceeded to turn a blind eye to anything but the most obvious infringements. Rodney So'oialo was never on his feet. Typical inconsistent Kaplan.

Be all that as it may, the ABs deserved it. Though they're fallible. More so than the last generation, I think. They're covering weaknesses with massive defence and power at the breakdowns.

Nice debut from Richard Brown. Yet another Queensland Reds discard.

[Havak]

Sadly I missed the game because I forgot it was on - the tournament has rather dragged this year?

Congrats to the ABs.

Tiger forgot their genetic make up and got dragged into Exiles open game. Hewat missed a conversion at the death that would have tied it. Still that make two wins from two so far.

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This year, Sky Italy seem to be showing more Currie Cup than GP matches on Saturdays. Pity.

You should try to catch a replay of the 3N match if only for the glorious inconsistency of Jonathan Kaplan. Having watched Leicester last week, where the ref was dynamite on anyone who went off their feet at the breakdown, Kaplan allowed a dive fest. Having issued card warnings to both teams within the first 20 minutes. He really is a goose of a ref.

[Havak]

I'll see if I can catch it on the replays.

You never know what will happen with Mr Kaplan in charge.

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Worcester made your weekend complete!

[Caligastia]

Hey guys, I just got U.S citizenship today...time for a 3rd passport eh?

[Havak]

Congats.

Worcester made my month Finbar. Just 20 more games for the insects to lose and it will make my season.

Sadly they suffered some big injuries in the game too (Shaw, Vickery and Ibanez). Experience they can ill afford to lose with the nose retired.

[Andydog]

I enjoyed that game, except for the error ridden parts. I thought Henry out-coached Deans in this test - the substitutions around the 50th minute were master class, they just seemed to give us the oomph needed to get over the gain line. Deans probably should have subbed at 65 minutes - whether that would have made a difference, who knows... but the Aussies looked strong in the closing minutes and had they a couple minutes more.. who knows..

Weepu was strong when he came on, as was Afoa and Donald who i thought looked v good. Kahui made a couple of booboos but v strong in defence and v busy worker, he will be one to watch. McCaw won us important ball when it mattered, but was lucky not to get carded i thought.

And Woodcock.. you little beauty!!

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The mystery to me is that the Wallabies could have been so close in the dying minutes. They had a dreadful 20 minutes to half an hour in the second half. I'm not sure that bringing on fresh Wallaby legs would have made a difference. It's a cultural thing. The Wallabies, en masse, are yet to master the knack of maintaining intensity. That, to me, was the difference between the two teams.

I think the ABs need to find a class 12 - because Nonu isn't - and another class winger - because, IMHO, Kahui is playing out of position. I was disappointed, yet again, by Conrad Smith. He's taking an awfully long time to play to his potential.

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James Haskell on a headbutting charge? With those angelic blond locks? Whatever next?

Still, if he goes, that really sinks Wasps on top of the injuries.

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So, Havak, you're singing La Marseillaise, are you? Didn't see it, unfortunately. Don't seem to be getting any Premiership matches these days. I saw Worcester first up against Northampton. Lost, but they showed some glimpses. Latham is going to be a huge influence.

So what price Wasps for relegation?

[Andydog]

Originally posted by finbar
I think the ABs need to find a class 12 - because Nonu isn't - and another class winger - because, IMHO, Kahui is playing out of position. I was disappointed, yet again, by Conrad Smith. He's taking an awfully long time to play to his potential.

I thought Conrad Smith had quite a good game. A rock on defence for the main part, always looking for work on attack. Whipped out a great step and run to put Woodcock into the open for the big prop's try. The 13 jersey is his so long as he is fit and well.

I agree Nonu didn't deliver the goods. His form seems to have fallen away this season. However he seems to be taking slightly better options than previously, and forms a nice combination with Smith, so I imagine the Cartel will persevere with him for a while.

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My problem with Nonu is that he remains largely one-dimensional. If his bash-through tactic doesn't come off, there ain't much else on offer. Same in S14. Strong midfield defence shuts him down and he doesn't have a second string. I think he's only there until the Cartel decide Brett or Donald are ready for it.

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Haskell gets a one week ban for head-butting due to "mitigating circumstances". A teammate was being repeatedly punched, he drew it to the ref's attention, the ref did nothing, so Haskell head-butted (presumably) the puncher. What a complete and utter joke. Obviously they want him available for the AIs.

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Cripes. It gets worse. It reads like the judiciary gave him only a week because they felt sorry him. The only one cited when at least two others, probably three, should also have been cited. Not only did the ref ignored the punching and other illegalities, but the citing official did too. What a farce.