The thing that is working in the NZ teams favour is that no Aus/SA is making the most of this period where the AB's are out. Yes the Sharks are the form side and have won their 3 games against good opponents, but there are no bonus points coming their way as yet and they have still to leave African soil. The Bulls have already lost twice - including one of their crucial home matches at Fortress Loftus. The Waratahs have lost twice and have just 5 points on the log, the Brumbies haven't capitalised very well either. Indeed, it's the Force and Cheetahs who have picked up a couple of surprise wins but the lack of bonus points involved has meant that they aren't making the headway that may be needed to keep a late Crusaders, Hurricanes and Blues semi final charge.

The team that has surprised me is the Hurricanes with 2 wins from 3 for a heavily depleted side. The first up loss to the Reds was predicted but they've shown steel and bravery since and the 2 wins against the Blues and Chiefs have put them in a position where they just need to hang on and grind out another win or two and wait for the loose forward cavalry to arrive. From where they are at the moment, the Canes should make the semis (and with the Crusaders looking unlikely) stand a good chance of going all the way in 2007.

Disappointment of the year - well the Waratahs have been weak when they should have been capitalising, but the Chiefs have been diabolical with poor goal kicking playing it's part. Only a few short weeks ago we were all picking them to win their first match and make the semi's. They lost the first one, won't make the semi's and another wasted season for long suffering Chiefs fans lies ahead. There will be Sivi inspired wins at the end, but it will be too little to late and we can only hope that they don’t spoil the chances of the other NZ teams along the way. I almost forgot the Highlanders who have played all their matches so far away from home and will be looking forward to running out on Carisbrook in the coming weeks. It's like Groundhog day - a Dunedin based team with Nick Evans injured equals poor results. Everything seems to hinge around the bloke being fit and that is rare and unfortunate for both parties. It’s also a timely reminder to the All Blacks selectors that no plans re: back up to Dan Carter should be made with the assumption that Evans will be fit and available.

Big improvers? Last years Western Farce are now looking like The Western Force and after falling to the Highlanders in their first game, have come on strong. Semi finalists? You'd think not with the NZ teams still to come but this is now a team to be wary of and there is class and experience throughout their side, and they rolled the Bulls at Loftus despite staring the barrel of a thumping at halftime. The South African sides have gotten solid results on home soil – the first games in the Antipodes this weekend will be a different test and time will tell if the traditional poor touring of the Lions (nee Cats), Stormers and Bulls is repeated. On the other hand, the Sharks toured well last year and can be expected to do so again.

After just 3 weeks, there is a top 4 emerging and expect the Sharks and Canes to continue on and make the semi's from here. The Brumbies are in a good position to do the same and much depends on the next fortnight for the Blues who look to be in a race with the Cheetahs for a semi berth. It's very early to starting make predictions - but the Crusaders - Cheetahs game is almost an early must win for both teams. I'm finding the whole thing a lot more interesting than I thought I would.