Round 4, and slightly easier games to predict, not that I would know an easy game from a hard one at the moment, they are all in double dutch to me - Boer sides winning, Crusaders playing like Chiefs, Chiefs playing like Cats, All Black-less kiwi sides looking decidedly average, it's just not cricket!!  Cricket - now there's something to get excited over at the moment (three nil, ole ole ole, thre nil ole), but I digress (© Lee Grant, 2003)...

Hurricanes v Brumbies @ Wellington
Hone game for the Hurricanes, who seem to have found their feet now without their All Black core of loose forwards.  But I am sure I said that last week they were sunk without them, but the week before they were looking good, or vice versa.  Anywho, they beat the Blues with their all All Black pack last week, and they will have to put in another big effort to beat the Bumboys and their Wobbly laden pack this week.

No Mortlock for the Aussies this week, which is a big blow, but something they are used now, Mortlock being on the disabled list more often than the abled.  George Smith will lead the side in the absence of the dream stealer, which makes sense, as he seems to be the one that is talked to by the Ref the most during a game, so may as well give him an official capacity to talk back to him with.

The Hurricanes, for a change, look exciting as hell out wide.  Gear and Smith on the wings pretty much the form pair of the Kiwi teams at the moment, Smith running around like a blue assed fly looking for work all day.  I am sure I saw him wanting to pack down in the scrums a few times last week, but getting sho-ed away by the genuine fatties.  He was into everything anyway, and the tries will start coming soon, you watch!!  Gear looking like a Super rugby player at last too, not just 'the brother of', but a threat in his own right!  Nonu and Umaga in midfield, and sevens star Jane at fullback getting better week by week, it is Danger with a capital D if they can get it right.

As per usual though, will be won and lost by the single digit dinosaurs. 

Points Spread:  Hurricanes -12

Hurricanes: Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Tana Umaga (captain), Ma'a Nonu, David Smith, Jimmy Gopperth, Alby Mathewson, Thomas Waldrom, Nili Latu, Luke Andrews, Bernie Upton, Paul Tito, Neemia Tialata, Mahonri Schwalger, John Schwalger.  Reserves: Tone Kopelani, Anthony Perenise, Bradley Mika, Hayden Hopgood, Chris Smylie, Tamati Ellison, Shannon Paku.
Brumbies: Julian Huxley, Clyde Rathbone, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Gene Fairbanks, Mark Gerrard, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Stephen Hoiles, George Smith (captain), Julian Salvi, Mark Chisolm, Adam Wallace-Harrison, Guy Shepherdson, Jeremy Paul, Nic Henderson.   Reserves: John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Richard Stanford, Jone Tawake, Patrick Phibbs, Matt Carraro, Tim Wright.


Highlanders v Stormers @ Dunedin
Home again, home again, clickity clack.  The Highlanders will be happy campers having there first home game of the season in week four, and playing against another team that has travelled from the republic, the Stormer, as opposed to having a team that has been in New Zealand for a couple of weeks, or a Kiwi team waiting in ambush.

Anyway, Stormers picked up their first win last week against the Clueless Chiefs, while the Highlanders had their second close loss.  So it is a genuine battle of the minnows, with I expect the home ground for the Highlanders, coupled with the travelling ability, or lack of, for the Saffa teams, will see 'The Clan' take their second four points of the season.

Hopefully the home team can turn it on too, and actually rack up some points this week, tries would be good, as their games have been pretty dour sounding, low scoring affairs.  It will be good to actually see a game of the Highlanders, as my alarm clock has not worked while they have been away, and I have missed everything!

The Highlanders have plenty of pace on the wings with the brown brothers out wide, and a good back five in the pack, a pretty OK front row, but from 10 to 13 pretty unproven at any level of rugby, so will need big games from these to see the flyers giving the space they need to wreck havoc. 

Stormers no slouches either, but the are the 'Travelling Boers' and that is worth a ten point start to most home teams.  Will be good to watch the Burger / Watson versus Newby / Blackie battle for the loose ball.  Perhaps here lies the winning and losing of the match.  Who'll win this battle - check out my points spread...

Points Spread:  Highlanders -12

Highlanders: Glen Horton, Lucky Mulipola, Matthew Saunders, Callum Bruce, Viliame Waqasaduadua, Charlie Hore, Jimmy Cowan, Craig Newby, Alando Soakai, Josh Blackie , James Ryan, Hoani MacDonald, Chris King, Jason MacDonald, Clarke Dermody.  Reserves: David Hall, Keith Cameron, Kane Thompson, Hale T-Pole, Toby Morland, Aaron Bancroft/Jason Kawau, Craig Clare.
Stormers: Gio Aplon, Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers, De Wet Barry, Brent Russell, Peter Grant, JP Joubert, Robbie Diack, Schalk Burger, Luke Watson (captain), Andries Bekker, Gerrie Britz, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, JD Moller.  Reserves: Schalk Brits, Eddie Andrews, Schalk Ferreira, Francois van der Merwe, Justin Melck, Bolla Conradie, Corne Uys


Blues v Whining Reds @ Auckland
What will Whining Eddie bitch about next.  That is the big question.  The rugby almost secondary when Whining Eddie is let lose next to a microphone.  He's ditched his Mr Statistics persona, and has embraced the 'bitch at the Refs' religion like a true Ferner after his team loses. 

But this is about the rugby (Whining Eddie performs after the rugby at the post match press conference), and both teams with close loses last week, so will be wanting to get back on track.  Home ground advantage for the Blues this week, there first back at Eden park since the first round beating of the playing through champions the Crusaders.

A couple of changes to the Blues lineup too, with the evergreen Justin Collins replacing MacDonald on the flank, and Steve Devine taking over from Gibson at half in 'rotation' changes.  Pisi, who has been generally piss poor with brief flashes of good stuff, has been dropped from the 15 jersey, and replaced by one minute wonder All Black Ben Atiga. 

So pretty much the best backline the Blues could field, and a forward pack strengthened by the inclusion of the veteran Northlander Collins.  It should be too much for the Reds on the night, whose sole attacking weapon seems to be numerous pick and goes from their forward pack, with the occasional foray from various back coming in close.  The Blues tackling in close will have to be strong , and perhaps this is one of the reasons for the inclusion of Collins as opposed to young Angus.

I can't wait to see Kaino in this game for some reason, as this will be his 4th start in a row, and I can't remember when he has last done that, if ever, at NPC or Super level.  He'll be starting to hit match fitness and match hardness, so expect to start seeing the best from this promising youngster shortly.  Perhaps the answer to the number eight question.  What questions is that you ask, no, not the starting spot, that is sewn up by So'oialo, but the back up job, which no one has claimed yet.

Points Spread:  Blues 13+

Blues: Ben Atiga, Doug Howlett, Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Anthony Tuitavake, Isa Nacewa, Steve Devine, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Justin Collins, Troy Flavell (captain), Greg Rawlinson, John Afoa, Derren Witcombe, Saimone Taumoepeau.  Reserves: Chris Heard, Nick White, Anthony Boric, Angus Macdonald, David Gibson, Sam Tuitupou, Rudi Wulf.
Whining Reds (SQUAD, as Whining Eddie is not naming a team until later): Backs: Berrick Barnes, Caleb Brown, Nic Berry, Quade Cooper, Charlie Fetoai, Will Genia, Peter Hynes, Clinton Schifcofske, Ben Tune, Brando Vaalu, Henari Veratau. Forwards: Ole Avei, Rodney Blake, Mitchell Chapman, Ben Coutts, David Croft, Sean Hardman, Herman Hunt, James Horwill, Tom McVerry, Ed O'Donoghue, John Roe (captain), Cam Treloar.


Force v Lions @ Perth
Both teams with 2 and 1 records, the Force with two wins in Boerland, the same as the Lions.  The Force yet to win at home, and if ever they were going to break that jinx, than this is it.  Sitting 3rd on the table at the moment, the Force have looked pretty solid in the two bits of games I have seen - enjoyed their win over the Brainless Bulls last week, they are playing some attractive rugby.

Fava is back at 8 for the force after his drinking fouls in South Africa, and should add something to the already well performing pack.  The million dollar man Giteau though, I hope to see play better.  He seems to try too hard when he has the ball to do stuff himself, rather than being the clever distributor that a first five should be (Larkham), and a gap runner when the defence starts drifting off him (Larkham)!! 

The Lions, well, they were Cats, so have grown up, and they beat the Crusaders last week in a dour battle, so no underestimating here please Force, you do have to do more than just turn up to win this one.  I think they will, and in spades.

Points Spread:  Force 13+

Force: Drew Mitchell, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Junior Pelesasa, Cameron Shepherd, Matt Giteau, Matt Henjak, Scott Fava, Matt Hodgson, Luke Doherty, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Rudi Vedelago, Troy Takiari, Brendan Cannon, Gareth Hardy.   Reserves: Tai McIsaac, Angus Scott, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Chris O'Young, James Hilgendorf, Haig Sare
Lions: Louis Ludik, Wylie Human, Jaque Fourie, Doppies la Grange, Jaco Pretorius, Louis Strydom, Jano Vermaak, Willem Alberts, Ernst Joubert (captain), Cobus Grobbelaar, Gordon Gilfillan, Anton van Zyl, Bertus Smith, Ethienne Reynecke, Brian Mujati.  Reserves: Willie Wepener, Heinke van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Jacques Cronje, Enrico Januarie, Andre Pretorius, Earl Rose/Jaco van Schalkwyk


Bulls v Chiefs @ Pretoria
Chiefs, Chiefs, Chiefs, Chiefs, Chiefs (shaking of head in disbelief as you say this please).  What to do with this ailing team?  A knackers yard springs to mind first up.  A team that should have been going into this game 3 from 3, but for an ounce or three of Donald, and luck going against them.  Playing against a team just one log place above them, and one log point ahead, with one win to their credit, and a brainless loss last week, so things looking a little promising for the Chiefs to break their duck.

However.  The early excitement in the week for Chiefs fans across the world, the injury to Donald, looks to have not been as bad as first hoped, as he has been bracketed with rookie Murray Williams at first five.  So bad news, but being a Chiefs fan, that is what life is all about.

The above bad news is balanced out with the return of Sione Lauaki to the starting team at number eight, and perhaps the starting of big Keith Robinson too, who is bracketed with Kristian Ormsby.  Ormsby though?  I thought he was playing a ton better than Lynn, just another brilliant selection decision from the Ferrit.  But with his fine coaching record, who are we to criticise him (ba ha ha ha ha and ha)!  Liam Messam is dropped to the bench to accommodate Luaki, which gives some serious impact off the bench - probably just after halftime, as Lauaki is one of those players that needs to be playing to be keeping fit.  Kahui also back on deck which is all good too - but Ta'auso dropped to fit him in...

The Bulls, lets hope they carry on being clueless as ever.  Bakkes Botha rejoins the team too, giving the Bulls the premier lock pairing in the world of Matfield and Botha - and the Chiefs drop Ormsby FFS...  Anyway - massive mean arse forward pack as per usual, and this is what they will attempt to bludgeon the Chiefs to death with.

Match result?  The Chiefs have been unable to win anything, and nothing really points to them winning this week.  Will be a massive effort if they can, but they won't.  For the first time this season I am picking against them.  Perhaps this is the edge they need!!

Points Spread:  Bulls -12

Bulls: Johan Roets, Akona Ndungane, JP Nel, Wayne Julies, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie Du Preez, Anton Leonard, Wikus van Heerden, Danie Rossouw, Victor Matfield (captain), Bakkies Botha, Danie Thiart, Gary Botha, Gurthro Steenkamp.  Reserves: Jaco Engels, Ruan Vermeulen, Pedrie Wannenburg, Derick Kuun, Heini Adams, Derick Hougaard, Jaco van der Westhuyzen
Chiefs: Dwayne Sweeney, Lelia Masaga, Richard Kahui, Tane Tu'ipulotu, Roy Kinikinilau, Stephen Donald/Murray Williams, Brendon Leonard, Sione Lauaki, Marty Holah, Steven Bates (captain), Toby Lynn, Kristian Ormsby/Keith Robinson, Nathan White, Tom Willis, Simms Davison.  Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Ben Castle, Ormsby/Tanerau Latimer/Andrew van der Heidjen, Liam Messam, Jamie Nutbrown, Williams/Anthony Tahana, Niva Ta'auso


Cheetahs v Crusaders @ Bloemfontein

Cheetahs, 2 and 1, against the Crusaders, 1 and 2.  The All Black-less Crusaders, looking leaderless and lost of ideas, against the vastly confident, thanks to a couple of early wins, Cheetahs.

The Crusaders were just 'blah' in their loss last week to the Lions (LIONS, I mean, really).  No idea how to score points, mistakes galore, they were not the Crusaders that we know (sure, the Ref was a dick too, but that is besides the point, the All Black Crusaders would have won this game), and I expect they will struggle again this week.

And lose.

Points Spread:  Cheetahs -12

Cheetahs:  Philip Burger, Eddie Fredericks, Marius Joubert, Meyer Bosman, Ronnie Cooke, Herkie Kruger, Falie Oelschig, Darron Nell, Juan Smith (captain), Kabamba Floors, Corniel van Zyl, Bian Vermaak, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez.  Reserves: Richardt Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Hendro Scholtz, Ryno van der Merwe, Michael Claassens, Gavin Passens, Tiger Mangweni
Crusaders: Scott Hamilton, Brent Ward, Casey Laulala, Rua Tipoki, Caleb Ralph, Stephen Brett, Andrew Ellis, Mose Tuiali'i, Johnny Leo'o, Kieran Read, Michael Paterson, Ross Filipo, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, (captain), Wyatt Crockett.  Reserves: Ti'i Paulo, Ben May, Jake Paringatai, Isaac Ross, Kevin Senio, Tusi Pisi, Tim Bateman

Bye Waratahs/Sharks