SUPER 14 ROUND 6

ADDED FRIDAY 21/03/2008

Wow here we are,  Easter 2008 already,  year about 25% gone,   and Super 14 approaching the halfway mark.   The Easter weekend certainly shows no let up in sports entertainment with rugby league and the AFL kicking in for those of us that need more to quell the fetish.  Who can go past the Ben Ross hit last week in the league for those that enjoy the occasional big hit,  ex State High boy Willie Tupou got one of his own away in the Under 20 clash with Penrith on the weekend just gone.  My there are some very big,  well developed lads playing in this Under 20's competition.

Back to business at hand,  and Super 14,  and the weekend of rugby starts tonight with what is described as a blockbuster between the Crusaders and the Waratahs.  When I was a young bloke growing up on the farm,  a blockbuster was a heavy,  sharp instrument we used to split firewood.  Think of the Crusaders being the blockbuster,  and the Waratahs as being the wood.  There is a chance the Waratahs will get flogged badly this afternoon.  They are not yet in the class of the Crusaders.  I am expecting another 4 try bonus point from the Crusaders,  with plenty of big guns returning from a rest.

The second game of the afternoon sees the Brumbies play the Cheetahs in Canberra.  I think the Brumbies will get it,  but it might be close with the Cheetahs finding a little bit of form.

Australia's best team the Western force,  should have too many guns for the Highlanders even over there in dark,  cold,  murky New Zealand.

The Blues should beat the Stormers,  but if their little slump continues,  the Stormers certainly have the ability to take the match,  but I am going to go with the Blues.

The Chiefs really should beat the Bulls,  both were quite terrible last week,  both look to be heading for the bottom section of the table.  Shame,  the Chiefs have some real excitement machines on the flanks,  as do the Bulls.

One game left and it is the Reds against the Lions,  but in Africa.  The Reds can win this,  but I don't expect them to.  I have had about 2 billion emails over the week telling me I am wrong about the Reds,  and that the corner has been turned.  What I see is encouraging signs,  not the turning of any corner.

My standard answer during the week has been,  the Reds were better,  yes,  the Bulls were absolutely disgraceful,  terrible.  If the Reds can bag two out of three in Africa,  and then compete well with the Crusaders,  the benchmark team probably in world rugby,  I will then acknowledge a corner turning has occurred,  and I sure hope I can do that.

Readers,  do have a happy Easter,  and for goodness sake be careful on the roads,  all I see is lunacy usually and plenty of it.  I can well understand why the road toll is as high as it is.

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