Game of the season?

Billed as the match of the season the final game of the round had much to recommend itself, but I guess its official, although the Highlanders are rumoured to be changing their strip - lime green anyone? It's the Crusaders who appear to have gone and done it by stealth. They are no longer the red and blacks ... Those bloody grey jerseys seem to have been out more often than the real ones

The game was played at a frenetic pace, and end to end action wasn't uncommon - although only one of these relay exchanges resulted in a try, to the Reds.

The battle of the number 10s, was a preview of what could be on show in the Tri Nations, and hey, I'll take Carter's boot, and defence any day. Cooper missed a couple of sitters but Dan the man seemed to have the ball on a string (when it didn't come off the side of his boot).

Although first blood went to the Crusaders, the first try was awarded to the Reds, despite an obvious, no, I'm not being one eyed, the commentators saw it too - FORWARD pass!!!

The Crusaders first try went to, who'd have thunk it ... Brett Ward, who added to his points tally in Super Rugby, an account long thought closed, dotting down off the back of a great run by Robbie Fruean and taking on Digby Iaone in a footrace.

Zac Guilford had another great game. Just overrunning the bounce after some great work getting to the try line and dealing with a bit of interference from Samo.

The Crusaders set piece worked really well, nicking three line outs against the throw and putting loads of pressure on the Reds scrum, but penalties were a problem (would have been a much bigger one if Cooper could land 'em).

Both sides played their best rugby from broken play, and Canterbury did pull off a few more turn overs, but were pinged a couple of times for slowing the ball down. However, I couldn't agree with the commentators: "Richie McCaw still winging ...."

Well if Stu Dickinson won't blow it right, forward passes, knock ons and only one side getting done for holding on or coming in from the side, I'd be "winging" too!!

With a bye this round, the Rebels at least gained some points. Their first since .... their last bye .....

If the Crusaders were hard done by re:'the gate', their southern brothers dispensed with it entirely. Neither the Highlanders nor the Lions came from behind last feet at the majority of the rucks that went down in Dunedin.

Two players can probably expect a call from the citing commissioner after a nasty round the neck clear out right on the try line resulted in a couple of punches, which lead to an all in flare up in the corner.

Sharks flanker, Desyl, replicated the manoeuvre on Tom Carter ... but he coped a yellow card for his trouble.

In other news from Durban, I was so excited ... the hairy caterpillar that had taken up what appeared to be permanent residence on Kurtley Beale's upper lip has GONE!!! Oh happy day.

The Tahs were possibly a little over confident coming into the encounter - apparently the Sharks had only won one of the last 10 matches between the two sides. But the Sharks prevailed and dispatched the Sydneysiders 26:21.