It took 9 rounds in 2007 to give us a black weekend of rugby results. This weekend was crucial and hopefully the last black one. Home losses now may mean the end of a semi or home semi place. The Tahs Saders clash once again show the differences between the teams. Not much and just a bit off boil and you can get knocked over. This tournament is not about loosing a match, it is about getting back winning after a loss. The Sharks struggling to get to terms and they will have to get back next week.  This weekend was also a bright Aussie weekend. All three their teams played with much more urgency and passion. Something they lacked in the past rounds.

Boer calculator.
Two results have gone wrong. First the Blues wins against the Chiefs and the Lions loss against the Brumbies. Those Chief and Lions losses may cost them semi places. I have done my recalc and if everything goes accordingly the semis can go on merit of order Saders, Blues, Bulls and Sharks.

Not much between the Sharks and the next lot, very close and differences is one point. So bonus points may change everything and the chasing dogs are Brumbies, Chiefs, Force, Stormers, Canes and Lions. Still also in but a few points behind the chasers the Clan and Cheetahs follow. Any losses for these two and they are gone dead with the Tahs and Reds.

Round 9
Clan vs Cheetahs
So close but still so far. Cant understand why the Cheetahs leaved it so late before start playing with urgency. They have a mountain to climb next week and I cant see them coming back.

Force vs Sharks
The Sharks look dominant up front but still loose the game and go from bad to worse as the game went on. They need a rethink now, they have the playing personal, so a bit of change in the backs , loosies and second row may be the right medicine. A well deserve win for the Force and if they can keep it up well who knows?

Bulls vs Canes
There you have it. The Canes did pitch up for this one and they have won. They will have to come to terms with the refs like all of us or pay the prize. The Bulls make them work for this one and once again Matfield just show against two very good locks he is in his own group in the lineouts. The Bulls have some good player personal like Pierre Spies, Bands ext waiting to get back for the home strecthes.

Chiefs vs Blues
Cant help feeling a bit jealous after watching this game. Look like a Saffer derby specially the forward battle. This game showed the Blues can be beaten and lady luck smiled their way just before half time. The Chief deserve that try and would have change the game on its head. The Blues look a touch sharper and the scorecard showed that. The Chiefs can take heart from this game and next week they and the Clan will be in for a make or break game.

Tahs vs Saders
What a exciting game. Not even a loyal Tahs supporter would not have expect this. Early on they look dead and buried but boy did they play. Heart broken to think a ruby pole is the difference between one of the biggest upsets. The Saders All Blacks must start producing and they cant have a bigger wakeup call then this game. That young ones look much better then the stars.

Lions vs Brumbies
What a disappointing end for the Lions. This just showed once again the difference between experienced players and the rookies. Loffy did two things wrong for this one. Heinke van der Merwe should have played from the start and he shuffled the backline. Fourie  is a 13 and Pretorius should be in 12. This Brumbies team look like they hit form just the right time and mean business.

From round ten the real contenders and knockouts starts.