Hurricanes (5th) v Crusaders (1st)

So a very mouth-watering match first up tonight, and it will be pretty much the same as it has been in the clashes between these two for the last five or six seasons.  The slow death controlled game of the Crusaders, versus the helter skelter headless chicken approach of the Hurricanes.  The last time the headless chooks won was in 2004, at Wellington, 37-20.  Since then they have racked up five losses, including a semi and a finals loss.  In fact, the Hurricanes have only beaten the Crusaders three times from 15 starts, with a draw thrown in for good measure.  So don't hold your breath sports fans, history and form are against the capital boys tonight.

There are many interesting individual match ups tonight too.  From the packs through to the blouses out back.  Propping you have Tialta versus Franks, and Schwalger versus Somerville.  Tialata will need to demolish Franks if the Canes pack is to get on top in the set pieces.  A very big test for Franks, who has jumped past last season junior All Black Crockett in the Crusaders propping ranks.

Another absorbing battle will be between the hookers, both Hore and Flynn vying for an All Black jersey behind the Blues Mealamu.  Hore must have the front running, being there in 2007, and being in the better form.

Then you have the locks, Willams versus Eaton, and really, versus Thorn too.  Craig Clarke proving to be a journeyman at this stage of his career.  Certainly not showing much that says 'future All Black' about his game (watch him rocket through the ranks to All Black captaincy now that I have said that)...  So a massive game from Eaton required here - and needed.  But fir his first game this season, he has sort of slipped back into obscurity...

The best battle of the day though, the loosies.  Masoe, Collins and So'oialo versus McCaw, Reid and Tuali'i.  The All Black test loose forwards, and two of the next cabs off the rank for All Black honours, and a future All Black in Reid (sorry, there goes that career down the gurgler).  An advantage here to either side, I don't know, perhaps a shade towards the Hurricanes, so long as their tight five can stand up and be counted.  That does not happen that often though...

In the blouses, the direct comparison match ups see the Weepu versus Ellis, and the Laulala versus Smith as the main attractions.  Weepu going down the halfback ranks in New Zealand faster than the Titanic, so he'll need a good game as a reminder to the Cartel that he does still exist.  Laulala a bit of a forgotten man too, but on fire in last seasons NPC and this seasons Super 14.  Older and wiser now, coming into his prime as a centre threequarter.  He's coming up against the best back that the Hurricanes have had this season, Conrad Smith.  The best thing about Smith's play thise season though, is just the fact that he is playing, week in and week out, uninjured!!

So after all the above, who is going to win this game - for mine, you can't go past red and black.  To patient, to controlled, and they have Dan Carter.  The Hurricanes have Jimmy Gopperth.  There you go.

Player to watch:  Hell, make it players - the front rows, the loose forwards, the centres, she's a big game!!
Result:  Crusaders 13+, running away with it at the end with a couple of tries as the Hurricanes loosen up and try and salvage a bonus point by playing sevens rugby!

Waratahs (7th) v Cheetahs (13th)

Then the Waratahs versus the Cheetahs.  Most interesting thing about thins game will be how many times the Tah's captain Waugh cries to the ref about how hard done by his perfect team is...

Player to watch:  The Crybaby.
Result:  Crybabies by 13+

Force (4th) v Stormers (8th)

This should be a good game, Stormers have been touring well, and playing some good footy, while the Force are back home from a two win NZ tour, something they have never done before.  Mitch will need to keep them well grounded and off the piss (or the players keeping Mitch off the Piss, one wonders), as they will need to be at the top of their game to beat the Biltong Biting Bastarads from Boerland.

Player to watch:  Gitau, on form.
Result:  Force 13+ (But this game the most likely to have an upset result I reckon)...

Chiefs (9th) v Highlanders (14th)

Here we go, the Highlanders, winless thus far, and with no luck at all, gone from playoff contention barring miracles.  Versus the Chiefs, fresh off a solid win, injured 'stars' back, three victories from six, and just bubbling under, still with a chance for playoff action, and playing at home.  So we all know what will happen, the dirty rotten stinking Highlanders will pull one from the bag, and win, against all the odds.  It's what they do, and it's what the Chiefs do.

Seriously though, all pointers are towards a Chiefs win.  The packs will be pretty evenly matched, the backlines also.  The only real advantage for the Chiefs is their Super rugby experience, and that really is a biggie, and something that has let the Highlanders down in their tight losses.  No excuses for the Chiefs in their losses, they have just been crap!!

The Clan have not beaten the Chiefs since 2003, a couple of big scoring losses being the closest they have come since then, 34-38 in Queenstown last season being the closest.  So form and history against the southern men, expect another loss for them...

Player to watch:  Fa'tu Vainakolo, Highlanders win - is he a potential All Black this season...??
Result:  Chiefs -12 (so long as Donald (Duck) kicks his goals for the Chiefs, which is a random happening)...

Blues (3rd) v Bulls (11th)

The Blues welcome back Nick Evans this week, and the Bulls number eight Pierre Spies.  I think the Blues get more for the welcome than the Bulls do...!  bulls have been terrible this season, so out of touch with modern rugby, let alone the ELVs that it is not funny.  Shows that last seasons win, on the back of a forward pack and kicking the ball was an aberration, rather than the setting of a rule.  A rule setting side is the Crusaders and their Deans dynasty.   But I digress, then Bulls are going to get a right royal arse whipping this weekend.

But for a three year stretch from 2002 to 2004, the matches between these two sides have gone turn about for the win, and this year it falls for the Blues to win.  So it is form and history on the side of the City Slickers.

Player to watch:  Nick Evans as he ducks and dodges the Bulls head hunters who will be amping to test out his head injury with knees, elbows and foreheads...
Result:  Blues 13+ in a fifty point demolition.

Sharks (2nd) v Reds (10th)

Unbeaten Sharks, piss poor Reds, should be a stroll in the Shark Park..

Player to watch:  Reds fullback Latham.
Result:  Sharks by 13+

bye Brumbies, Lions