France name team to play Italy

This second week finals scenario was always possible, but in the history of Super Rugby, the no.1 team being beaten in the first week is so incredibly rare that it was barely given a conscious thought until last week - and even then it was only because the reigning Champions scraped into 6th on the back of a game and a half of decent form.

If Moana or the Waratahs finished 6th the scenario would still have been possible, but every bit as unlikely.

It’s not a scam or a farce, it’s just been undone by an extraordinary turn of events as the top six was decided..

However the preference in Australia is to use a sliding defence that prioritises staying connected rather than applying intense pressure so I expect more of the same there.

Even though the Reds are out, I’m still wearing my Reds hoodie but well and truly on the Brumbies bandwagon for however long they remain in the competition.

The odds of the Brumbies or Chiefs winning this tournament will balloon out if the Crusaders win on Friday so for once, this Queensland Maroons fan will say go the Blues!

This is the kind of content that will drag RP into the mud. Give it up lads.

But I’d love to see Timoci Tavatavanawai at 12 and J Barrett at 13. It would be like Nonu/Smith but Smith on steroids and HGH :)