So looking ahead and back at the same time, we'll start at the top of the North Island, and those bloody Blues, who looked like world beaters after the first few rounds, but look like they would have trouble beating an egg, let alone a fully professional Super 14 rugby team! 

Their loss last week to the Waratah's in Sydney was weak as piss.  To a man they looked tired, lethargic, uninterested.  A very weird malaise to hit the whole team in one go.  This week, fingers crossed, back home again, against the one were really really good Brumbies, they should get their campaign back on track.

They need to lift their game up front to start with, and as it usually does with rugby, the flow on effect will course through the team, and the backline will look world class again.  Last week against the Waratahs the Blues lineout was shite, and Kurtis Haiu has paid the price, bean pole Boric coming in to partner Flavell in the second row.  It was a matter of time before the Blues lack of height at lineout time was exposed.  Having two sawn off locks in today's game just does not cut the mustard, and being starved of first phase possession will kill any team.

The backline needs to find it's mojo also - it will be helped by the forwards pulling finger, but they have the same 9 through to midfield combination running out that was ripping teams to shreds just a few short weeks ago.  Evans now third game back from injury, so ne excuses there.  I think it all boils down to the fatties.  They were dominating in the early games, they are now struggling, and the back division is paying the price.

The Brumbies were ambushed at home last week by the Chiefs, losing a game that in the past with the old firm at nine and ten they would have won in a canter.  Well the old firm is gone now, and the Brumbies are like an old Lion, still dangerous, but not as freqently.  You still have to treat them with respect, but they are not going to hurt you as they once did, or as they once could!! 

So Blues should follow up last weeks horrible loss with a solid win.  They should win up front, and will need too if they want to negate the old Kiwi nemesis Stirling Mortlock.  That in itself should be a good battle - Mortlock versus Toeava.  The master versus the potential packed underperformer...

Result:  Blues -12
PLayers to watch:  The above mentioned duo, Mortlock v. Toeava.

The Chiefs, have the bye this week, and a good time to sit back and take a breath and see what is happening.  A solid win over the Brumbies away last week, and the Crusaders next week.  Certainly need to shore up the defence, and keep things going as is on attack - 6 tries a match over the last 3 wins.

The Hurricanes are away to the piss poor playing through champions, the Blues.  If they can take some of the anger that they would have been bottling up over the last week after the even pisser poorer reffing that cost them a win over the Sharks, and let it loose on the Bulls, they should rip them a new arse piece. 

A few thoughts on that games last week agianst the Sharks, I have forgotten more than I remember, but one that pisses me right off - TAILATA.  Has everything going for him.  Massive man, hugely strong man, skilled ball player, strong scrummager when the mood takes him.  But, there is always a but, the IQ of a half baked amoeba.  In old coach speak, he is lacking in the top two inches.  If he had even an ounce of rugby brain, he would just buckle down and get stuck in, and play rugby.  Mind you, not quite as dumb as the red carded Shark and the head but, but I could see him doing that too, I believe he is that ill disciplined. 

Ahh, other than that, there was little to remember but for the penalty tries that decided the match.  The Sharks one dodgy, the Hurricanes non penalty try a dead set shocker wrong decision.  A draw for the match though at least giving the match a 'no result' for tipping games, meaning the all important score boards in tipping leagues aren't wrecked by atrocious reffing.  Just the points table for the Super 14, far less important...

Anyway, this week, the Bulls in Boerland.  Bulls second bottom on the table, only the Lions below them, and deservedly so, they have been horrible, although in their last two hit outs they have had close losses to the Force and the Blues.  Also home ground advantage should equal things out a bit.  Even though, the Hurricanes must be favoured to win.

At last too, the Hurricanes coaching staff have slipped Nonu into the midfield alongside Conrad Smith.  Ellison has proved himself to be not up to the mark at this level, and Tuipolutu, while a solid tradesman, does not have the ability to tear a team apart.  Nonu does, and him being in closer to the action is not a bad thing.  Moor ball means more breaks, potentially that is.  It also means more errors, but with Nonu, more of everything will be good.  Just hope when he makes his breaks he finds his support players!!  A late run for a black jersey with a 12 on the back, probaly not, but I think he will be in the mix come test time, more so now with Rokocoko gone, and Nonu's ability to play 11,12,13 and 14.

If the Bulls forwards can be tamed, or equalled, expect the Hurricanes to come storming home.  If not, don't!!  Their fatties need to stand up and be counted, and be disciplined.  Hore, and at times, Eaton apart, the tight five have been lacking, and the loose trio lacking their bruteness from last season.

Result:  Hurricanes by a little bit.
Player to watch:  Nononononono, Nonu.

The Crusaders were on R&R last week with their bye, whcih was needed.  Carter and Brett crocked, and no doubt a few other players carrying injuries after their 7 and 0 start to the Super 14 season.  Brett back on the bench this week, Carter still three or so weeks away.  So this week against the Lions, young Hamish Gard takes the ten shirt into his possession.  Hamish who you, and I ask.  No idea, but he is from the Crusaders first five factory, so I have also rushed him into my fantasy rugby team for this week, and expect big things from him!!

Deans has named a very 3rd XV looking side, resting most of the big guns, McCaw and MacDonald not even making the match day 22 so confident is Deans of beating the Super 14 easy beats.  Fair enough too, this Lions team looks middle of the table NPC standard at most.  Meaning that a Canterbury 3rd XV should spank them, as they would a Bay of Plenty or a Manawatu...

The Lions were beaten last week by, wait for it, the Highlanders.  They looked likely to snatch a win against the Clan though as in the second half they clawed back to within a point or two, but the Highlanders proved to be the less bad team after 80 minutes...  Highlight of that game last week was the Lions number 6 running around high fiving all his fellow forwards any time they did anything half decent.  It was embarrassing, he looked like the 'slow' kid in the playground doing the white mans high five because he watched the NBA last night .  At least that is what it looked like from off the field, and I know had I been on the field I would have been telling him to fuck off retard!!  Watch for it this week if the Lions manage to do anything like not trip up coming out of the players tunnel - number 6, 'high five guy' will be ready to slap!!

So, Lions away, into the Crusaders den, should be comfortable for the red and blacks.

Result:  Crusaders 13+
Player to watch:  The retarded high five guy, number 6 for the Lions...

A win, a win, a win!!  The Highlanders finally broke their duck, posting a tick in the 'W' column of this seasons Super 14 log.  Against the Lions though, but a W is a W!!  This week though they have the high flying Sharks at home.  They are in with a starters chance, and I think they will run the Sharks close, but the class and experience of the Sharks will carry the Biltong Biting Bastards home.  Maybe a bonus point for the Clan.

Result:  Sharks 13+
Player to watch:  Vainikolo - with Rokocoko gone from the home tests, there is room for new blood on the wings...

In other games, the Force host the Waratahs in what should be a cracking match - the two best Aussie sides fighting it out for top dog honours.  I think the Waratahs will edge this one.  The Stormers also host the Cheetahs, a five point win here for the Stormers will be the perfect foundation for their drive for the top four.  Four more home games and another away, but just a local Boerland travel gives them the perfect home straight to gallop down.