Yeah, right up to the end I kept hoping for that last minute miracle but not to be. 

Good game, both sides were buggered by the 60th minute. Normally the ABs smoke everyone in the last 20, but they were out of gas themselves, which explains why the mistake by the Wallabies at the death, and why the ABs could not capitalise.

I do feel that 10 and 15 were the difference in the end, we had good 10 and good 15 but not the world class ones we're used to have that made the magic. Basically Aaron Smith was running the show until he left. Scoreline would be worse if Foley got some of his kicks.

This is a largely B side of the ABs (inc sabbaticals) I wouldn't worry too much. 

What was with the kicking possession away in the last 10 minutes!?  We are losing by 2 and Perenara just kept doing it...  The stuff ratings got very high ratings and defensively I guess you could say that but we lost possession repeatedly due to not committing to the breakdown.  I am all for not committing when it is their ball and winning it is unlikely, set the defensive line - but not protecting your own ball is madness.

The stupidity of some of those penalties was unbelievable!  Character building hopefully but we are right between two world cups now.

they were buggered. some of them forgot the rules of the game in the last 10 minutes.

The Herald has a theory - Jacinda Ardern is the cause of the AB's decline/slide/loss ... umm ... (yes I know it's an opinion piece but still ...!)

I am concerned and have said so a few times this year, that the AB's fitness doesn't appear to be superior to those of our opponents. Where the last 20 minutes was our best time in a game previously, now we seem to be struggling to lift the pace at that time. 

Penalties and poor decisions are plaguing us, and whilst I do understand the trouble that having first choice players (and so many of them at that) out brings, I think the AB's need to get back to basics. Discipline has been talked about for at least 2 years, but it hasn't been so critical because the AB's have been so far ahead. I think that gap has closed, largely due to the AB's rather than the other teams. I want to see the replay where we were on their line and then 2 seconds later the ball was in the AB's 20m territory. I didn't see what happened, but seemed against the flow of play.

There were enough Wellington players in the Bay team to keep me happy either way. Tiatia was the most impressive of them. Plus it was difficult not to enjoy the way both teams played.

Brad Shields was really impressive. I'd prefer that he stayed with the province but he looks like going to the UK.

It really was an outstanding game, and I felt a little saddened by the fact that there was a 19 point gap at the end as I don't think that truly reflected the game and both teams efforts. A lot of guys out on their feet that last few minutes. 

There was one passage on defense where Wellington eventually scored that BOP really showed outstanding resolve. 

Savea looked dangerous, the only thing is he doesn't seem as "quick" as he once was. 

The BOP #10 is 35 and will play for the Crusaders next year. He played well most of the time with a few terrible moments. Not sure where he fits into the Crusaders set up though, given his age. 

As a Naki supporter, for the final of the Mitre 10 Cup tonight, I'm going to follow the age old mantra of 'ABC' - Anyone But Canterbury.

Go the Makos!

Really happy with that win. It was what I expected in the end, though Tasman really looked fantastic first 35 minutes. 35 Phases showed unbelievable skill and perseverance by the Red and Blacks though. Tasman deserves massive credit for their defense in that. Ultimately, they just smothered Tasman. RM was just amazing. Probably the form 10 in the country right now. It will be interesting to see how he goes at test level. I am happy some of those Canterbury backs will be joining the Crusaders. 

networkn:Probably the form 10 in the country right now. It will be interesting to see how he goes at test level.