Farewell to the Chiefs (Reprise)

Farewell to another season of the Super 14... now the real business begins. After a season that relatively promised so much, after the first three games where it seemed like business as usual before that incredible run to the semi-finals... what price now a single point out of the first three games? A home final instead of the bloodbath that was Pretoria? A bonus point loss to the Crusaders seemed on the face of it a great result until the rest of the Crusaders results proved what a spent force that they were. Dropped balls cost us the Warratahs in Sydney, but the game that we should have received more was the home game against the Sharks.

Kevin O'Neil dropping the ball when unopposed while crossing the try line, right in front of the Green Zone... Brendon Leonard dropping the ball when switching between hands when about to score in the same corner... then to top it all off attacking the Sharks line repeatedly on full time only to be denied time and time again, phase after phase. A converted try at that point should have been enough to secure us top spot - but it was not to be.

And what of the fans? The early games were testament to the hard year of neglect and failure - not even half decent crowds for the opening games against the Sharks and Force , then suddenly a decent run and everyone in H-Towns a fan. Sold out crowds against the Hurricanes, terrible conditions and a near sell out against the Brumbies and a vital win, then the last hurrah against the Hurricanes again. Who cares if half the crowd were confused and ringing Cow bells at a Chiefs game?

Now the real business begins with the premiere competition in New Zealand- the Air New Zealand Cup and we can't wait. Mark 1st August in your diaries - the date we take on Southland in Invercargill.