Holy shit, another week has slipped by, and we are now into round EIGHT of the Super 14.  While you wait for the rugby season to start it takes forever, but when it gets here, it is over before you have a chance to gather breath.

So, a quick rundown on last weeks games, which saw all but the Stormers win over the Farce go according to plan.

The Crusaders games against the Hurricanes was my pick of the matches, and it showed much about both teams.  The main thing being that the Crusaders could damn near play test rugby, and the Hurricanes, well, they are the same as they were 13 seasons ago - hot and cold, forward pack that adds up to less than the sum of its parts, and no first five.

There were also some interesting clashes, and in my mind some cards were laid on the table for all to see.  One that was hard to swallow for a So'oialo fan is that he has been passed by Tuiali'i as New Zealand's best number eight.  Tuialai'i does the right thing at the right time, plays rugby, does not indulge in the obvious off the ball stuff the Rodders has been doing for this whole Super season.  Case in point, or rather, cases in point being the pulling into the ruck of a Canterbury defender which led to a second Hore try being disallowed (the same thing he did the week before against the Brumbies, but got away with).  Also the blind kick at the ball in a ruck during the first moments of the match, which saw the ball pop out and into Cory Flynn's arms for the opening try of the match.  He has just been doing stupid things this whole season, which is just not good enough for an All Black.

Speaking of Cory Flynn, his battle with Andrew Hore ended in a hands down win to the nuggety Hore.  A try apiece, but Hore a cut above in all other departments.  He is a wrecking ball in the close encounters, both with the ball and on defence.  Just gets stuck in and wrecks things!!  Would have to be a clear number two toMealamu now, and putting pressure on for the starting spot even.

The propping battle was nice to watch, pretty even, the team putting the ball in usually getting nudged a little.  Defining moment though when Tialata was bent back on himself, and driven back over his locks by Ben (WHO) Franks.  IS that what we want from an All Black prop against the Boers with ten to go in a tight test match?  No.  Even worse though, was the losing of the rag in the next scrum from Tialata.  Scrum comes up and he ends up with his hand around the neck of Flynn.  Flynn of course is smiling at him and no doubt telling him what a top bloke he is, and he would love to come around for a barbeque.  Is that the sort of discipline we want from All Blacks?  No.  Much better the Greg Somerville reaction (yes, he had a few bad scrums too), which was nothing.  Just buckle down and don't let it happen again.

Finally, Casey Laulala versus Conrad Smith.  Not in the defensive lines, as that was Laulala versus Tamiti Ellison, and that was a no contest, Ellison pretending to be a revolving door, and doing it well, Laulala using it at will.  Laulala did have a big match though, yet again, and must be in with a look at another All Black test cap.  Smith was quieter, no searing bursts as per Laulala, but still tidy in all that he did.  Is a human hoover, any loose ball near him and Smith is on it quicker than an arab after a barrel of oil!

Other games, the Chiefs thumped the Highlanders, keeping the Clan in the game letting them get close a couple of times before winning comfortably.  The Blues relied on an Evans drop goal to win the match against the horrible Bulls, the two point win not being a pretty, but a wins a win and all that!!  Force crumbles at home to the Stormers in an exciting game, giving the Stormers a real chance at the finals, with five of their next six games at home  The Sharks struggled to beat the Reds too, needing 16 men to take the win...

So, to this weeks games, not quite an as easy week to pick as last weeks (Stormers aside). 

First up, the Highlanders versus the Lions.  A real bottom of the table clash, the Clan winless, and the Lions with just the single win.  A home match for the Clan, and it should be a win, as while they have yet to register a tick in the 'W" column, they have not been smashed by anyone yet, either on the field or on the scoreboard.  The Lions on the other hand, have been pretty horrible at times, mixed with the odd bit of good play.  A real chance for a five point win for the clan, get it wide, and get it wide often would be the key methinks.  That backline mantra of pass and back up should see them home.

Result:  Highlanders 13+
Player to watch:  Vainikolo to run around these Bulls all night

Then the Brumbies take on the Chiefs at home.  The horse boys welcome back Mortlock for his first game of the season, and also his 100th for the side.  So if that is not a reason to pull a big game out of the hat, than what is?  Also back on deck is prop Guy Shepherdsonfor his 50th game, and Adam Ashley-Cooper.  So a near full strength Brumbies with plenty of reasons to win. 

The Chiefs on the other hand are welcoming back nobody, and in fact for the first time in about 13 seasons (well, this one anyway), have named an unchaged starting XV.  Only change being on the bench where Jamie Nutbrown replaces David Bason.  Chiefs have had two good wins over the last two weeks, running in 12 tries in the process.  They are playing well, their forwards at last earning their wage packets up front and dominating.  They will need to pull finger here again against the Brumbies, and that will pave the way for the million dollar backline to do their things, and they have been too.  The revival of the backline fortunes has been on the back of Stephen Donald at last finding some form.  I have selected him in my fantasy rugby teams again this week, so expect that form to drop again...

The Chiefs have not won in Canberra since last century, expect that to continue...

Result:  Brumbies under 12
Player to watch:  Simms Davison in open play, ball in hand.  Nothing better in rugby than a fatty on the burst!!

The Force are hosting their second Boer team in a row, the Bulls, and will be hoping for a better result than last weeks thrashing at the hands of the Stormers.  I am sure Mitch will have rationed the team bonding piss ups this week to just Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday as they prepare for the Bulls.  The local wildlife will be stoked anyway.

The Bulls must be in with a starters chance, they played a lot better last week than they have all season, and the Force, well who knows, they give new meaning to the word hot and cold!  If the Bulls get on top early, I think the game is for the taking - like the Stormers did last week, score early and pile on the pressure.

Result:  Force by under 12
Player to watch:

Probably the game of the round, the Hurricanes are at home to the Sharks.  The Sharks, unbeaten, the Hurricanes season hanging on this game, lose and they are relegated to the rank of pretenders once again, win, and they jump into the 'I am a contender' ranks.

Hurricanes will be hurting after last weeks loss to the Crusaders, and ready for a big game, plenty to prove, and a decent opponent to get their teeth into.  This is the Sharks first game of their tour, so there will be some jet lag and tiredness in the legs as the game progresses, so a fast paced game from the Hurricanes would be the way to go.

The Hurricanes have made just the one change from last weeks losing side, revolving door second five Ellison replaced by the solid Tane Tu'ipulotu.  This gives the Canes midfield a very controlled look, which should be able to set the outside loose.  Nonu needs a big game to remind the selectors that he is a class player, not a has been.

Of course it all relies on the fatties upfront.  Seven All Black in that pack.  I should be ripping opposing packs to pieces week in and week out, but fails to do so.  They will all need to be at the top of their games this week against the Boers, who as per usual, have a pack built around men that would not look out of place wandering around with dinosaurs..  Tialata needs a big game this week, at scrum time and discipline time.  So to does Jason Eaton.  Had a good game last week, and needs to back that up again this week to stay in that All Black frame.  Rodders needs to stop being a dick, and start playing rugby...

Result:  Hurricanes by -12
Players to watch:  Nonu, Tialata, Eaton, All Black careers on the line.

The Waratahs host the Blues in another game that will sort more pretenders from contenders.  Waratahs already pretty much consigned to the pretenders division, the Blues teetering between the two.  The Blues have not been convincing since the third round of the Super 14, some ugly losses thrown in with some uglier wins.  However, they have Evans back now, for the second week, so the back division should be comfortable with their roles again now - although I am sure they would all love Nacewa back.  His departure with injury has happened to coincide with the Blues drop in form.  That and probably Danny Lee's falling in love with running a half marathon before passing the ball out to his backline.  Defences love that extra few steps that they get to close down the space!!

The Blues forwards also need to pull finger.  They have been treading water over the last few weeks after looking like a test pack over the first few.  Players like Afoa and Kaino need to push on if they want to keep in the All Black test season frame.

The Waratahs have dumped their coach during the week as they try and bring up some new excuses as to why they lose games that they should win.  Not that this is really a should win one, but is definitely a winnable match for them.  Unless the refs pick on them again, right Mr Waugh...

Result:  Blues -12
Players to watch:  Lee for his step, step, step, pass.  Afoa and Kaino, are they All Blacks?

The last game of the rounds sees another bottom of the table clash, the Reds away to the Cheetahs.  A real clash of the minnows, but this game could be a cracker.  Cheetahs like to move the ball around, and the Reds do too.  Nothing to lose, nothing to gain in this game for anyone, so just get out there and play, it could be a classic.

On the other hand, it could be complete shit too, as these teams are at the bottom of the table with two ins between them for a reason.  They are crap...

Result:  Cheetahs 13+
Player to watch:  Latham, always worth a watch!