Super 14 cranks into action this coming weekend, and I for one am looking forward to it.  Contrary to most, I am looking forward to it more than usual because of the resting of the 22 All Blacks by the Henry Cartel.  Mainly because it brings something different to the 'same old same old' that Super Rugby has become.  We'll see, hopefully, a bunch of fringe players step up into the spaces left by the boys on R&R.  The first seven rounds of the Super 14 is their chance to shine and put their hands up against the best that the Ockers and Saffas have to offer.
 
 Sure it's going to rip the guts out of the Crusaders campaign, and also the Hurricanes.  Of these two the Crusaders seem the best equipped to handle the loss of the quality players, although Cameron McIntyre sodding off to Froggyland has hurt, as he had been playing some pretty good rugby at ten.  However, while they may drop a game or two that they would usually win, at then end of the R&R rounds, execpt the Crusaders to be within striking distance of the leading bunch.

The Hurricanes though, have lost their strike force, the heart of their team - Masoe, Collins and So'oialo.  These three gone, and replaced by Waldrom, Latu and whomever, it just doesn't add up.  The weak tight five will be exposed even more without this trio on hand, and it can only go downhill  from there for the 'Canes.  Expect them to be struggling and well down the field when the powerful trio return.

The Highlanders, despite only having two in the R&R group, could be the most effected!  Without Oliver and Hayman, the only weapon in the piss poorly performing teams arsenal, their scrum, is also as average as the rest of their game.  The Highlanders will be gone for all money by the time the two hard men return to the fold and start playing. 

The last two team, who will be least concerned about the R&R lads and the northern brothers, the Chiefs and the Blues.  Both teams with only a few missing, and both teams with more than adequate replacements.  The first seven rounds are when these two sides need to make hay, and get some results on the board, before the big guns start rolling out again.  The Chiefs on the back of their ANZ Cup win (NPC for those like me who hate the Air New Zealand Cup name) will hopefully transfer this through to Super level.  For a while there in Super 12, the NPC champions followed through and would win the SUper trophy too.  The last few years that has changed of course, but it is still an indicator that Chiefs fans will be grasping at!!

Anyway, onto this weeks games, and the prediction thing - pretty bloody hard when their is only pre season form to go on, and that is dodgy as a $2 curry at 3am at any rate...  I've never let that stop me in the past, the curry or the lack of information, so here goes!

Blues v Crusaders @ Auckland
Gotta favour the Blues at home for this one.  Be a big test though for the Blues, because the Crusaders, despite missing half their team, are THE Crusaders.  Just playing them to start with is a challenge.  So if they can get past the myth that is the Crusaders, they should crack the win.  The Crusaders on the other hand have nothing to lose, not really.  No one really expects them to win this.  So if they can get up against this handy Blues outfit, with their new boys leading the way, that will send a tremor through the Super rugby from Canberra through to Johannesburg.  The Blues will take the win, in a close, error ridden game - error ridden as most of the games in the early rounds of the Super 14 will be.
Points Spread:  Blues -12

Western Force v Highlanders @ Perth
Thanks to Lee Grant's previews, I at least know a little about the Force this season!  Armed with that limited knowledge I am predicting that a win will start their season.  Without Oliver and Hayman, the Highlanders scrum will not be the weapon it was last season, and with that gone, the Force pack will grab enough ball for their talented backs to win the game for them.  Another close game, the Force backs taking the glory.
Points Spread:  Western Force -12

Lions v Waratahs @ Johannesburg
This the first of the games when I have even less idea than usual.  So going on history, I'll tip the Waratahs to start their season with a win.  They have traveled well over the last few seasons, and will do so again, maybe...
Points Spread:  Waratahs -12

Chiefs v Brumbies @ Hamilton
This game is a good way for the Chiefs to start.  For their fans anyway.  No big win against one of the poorer sides to get the ever suffering fans all excited before blowing other games further down the road.  No, this time a test first up.  Sure the Brumbies are not the team that they used to be, but they are still up there, and like the Crusaders, they ARE the Brumbies, and demand respect.  So, a win here will put the word out that the Chiefs are to be reckoned with this season.  The game will be won and lost up front, and here the Chiefs will have the advantage, their back five of Gibbes, Robinson, Messam, Holah and Bates is pretty handy at any level, and there is where the game will be won.  Brumbies, with the veteran trio of Mortlock, Gregan and Larkham won't lie down and die though, so it'll be a battle to the death, Chiefs forwards versus Brumbies backs.
Points Spread:  Chiefs -12

Reds v Hurricanes @ Brisbane
Everyone writing off the Reds already, and with Mr Percentages, a.k.a. Steady Eddie Jones in charge, one senses that this could be right!  But in the humidity at Brisbane, it might be too much for the Hurricanes, missing their heart too, so a win to the Reds, going away at the end as the 'Canes wilt in the heat.
Points Spread:  Reds 13+

Sharks v Bulls @ Durban
No freaking idea.  Hold on, found a coin.  OK, heads it Sharks, tails it Bulls.  Right, Bulls to win.
Points Spread:  Now, heads 12 and under, tails 13 or more.  OK, so Bulls to win, -12.

Cheetahs v Stormers @ Bloemfontein
Excellent this coin getting a workout now.  Cheetahs getting the heads, so a win for the spotted ones.
Points Spread:  Tails this time, so Cheetahs by 13+. 

So there you go boys and girls, the first rounds tipping for you, done and dusted.  Sure, the methods might not be that scientific, but hell, at least they are methods.  They say that the early rounds of the Super 14 are always a lottery at any rate, so what's a coin toss between friends?  The games are going to be pretty ugly anyway, being played in the first weekend in February, when we should be watching cricket and tennis, not God's code!  Still, give me an ugly game of rugby over any other sport any day of the week!