By Tournament / Super 14

Two games to go and all still to play for, well, apart from top spot, wooden-spoon and Richie McCaw's jock-strap - so everything's not still to play for but quite a lot anyway...


'Canes can cement a semi-fina place and their bloodthirsty back-line will be chomping at the bit when they take on a bunch of babies with 17-year-old James O'Connor, 18-year-old Dane Haylett-Petty and 21-year-old Josh Tatupu facing their biggest test against Messrs Gear, Smith and Nonu.

Prediction: Hurricanes to win by 22 points.


Predictability has not been something you could associate with these two sides. The Bulls have had more ups and downs than Amy Winehouse this season while the Brumbies were expected to sink like the Titanic after losing key personnel. Fourie Du Preez is back while Pierre Spies and Bryan Habana have recovered from knocks so expect a Springbok charge.

Prediction: Bulls to win by 8 points.


The Blues have come out of a deep slumber to reignite their play-off challenge. Icaia Toeava can't even make the team such as been the form of Anthony Tuitavake in midfield. The Highlanders are playing for pride given its a North vs South Island derby, but just the hostility of Dunedin - once a fortress - will not be enough, even though they could mute the Blues play-off hopes.

Prediction: Blues to win by 12 points.


It'll be nice and quiet in Brisbane, well in the Crusaders dressing room anyway, for a game against the Reds is ideal preparation for Dan Carter to gently make his comeback before the play-offs.  Chris Latham will want to make a big noise with Worcestershire calling but looking at the firepower on the visitors bench it looks ominous.

Prediction: Crusaders to win by 14 points


The Sharks will be happy to be back in home comforts for their mini-break around the southern hemisphere has been a car crash with multiple casualties and a great big dent in their record. Their attack is one of the worst but it'll be interesting with Ryan Kankowski bashing around the fringes with Juan Smith leading a one-man-band.

Prediction: Sharks to win by 19 points


After a display as lacklustre and insipid as a comatose on a drip, the Chiefs should be right up for a trip into a den of tame Lionesses. The Lions can't score so Lelia Masaga and Stephen Donald should be able to run riot. The hosts might be strong but you can't just rely on experienced centre, Jaque Fourie, to do all the hard work.

Prediction: Chiefs to win by 24 points.


No Burger, no bite, but on the plus side, less chance of a sin-bin and a fight. Both teams are gunning for a semi-final berth, so the best result would be a draw. They are the form teams in the competition and there have been more than a few words exchanged this week, notably by Rassie Erasmus, but the Stormers are chasing while the Tahs can secure a home semi-final.

Prediction: Waratahs to win by 4 points.

Roll up! Roll up! Another New Zealand international has turned his back on the All-Blacks after Otago Highlanders captain Craig Newby agreed a move to Leicester Tigers.

There is a bigger picture here with Newby another of New Zealand's most experienced and upstanding journeyman and the Otago tough-nut illustrates the embarrassing position which the union and Super 14 organisers are in - especially considering they are trying to revolutionise the competition.

After Nick Evans left for Harlequins and Caleb Ralph saying sianara to Japan, Jerry Collins could be the latest to pack his wash bag with recent speculation linking him with a move to Bath. Dan Carter is rumoured to have also penned a deal with Top 14 newcomers Toulon, so New Zealand aren't exactly making ideal preparation for a strong future. Could England really beat the All-Blacks in their own back-yard?

The SANZAR unions have had a sudden change of heart after all of their best players would even seemingly sell their grandmother for a move to the northern hemisphere.

Formally, the Tri-Nations representatives had been massively against the inclusion of teams from Fiji, Argentina and Samoa but now there is even talk of including teams from the USA and Canada into the Super 14 competition.

If they want the best competition in the world, then travelling thousands of miles isn't the right way of going about it.

5 Reasons FOR including the minor nations:

Raising the profile of their game
Money, Money, Money
Super Size meals
Stopovers in the Cayman Islands
Exchange Rate

5 Reasons AGAINST including the minor nations:

It won't improve the standard of rugby of the major nations
The best players will get sick of the jet-lag
Language barrier
Fans won't turn up
Food's rubbish

The major summer signings continue with Nick Evans confirmed as Harlequins' replacement for Adrian Jarvis... Not bad eh?

The All-Black has played in 16 Tests but has cited the three-year move as a lifestyle choice. We doubt whether it's the congestion charges, overpriced housing and  ever-delayed tube service that persuaded him.

The same cannot be said of Newcastle Falcon trio Matt Tait, Ben Woods and Toby Flood, who look all set for moves south to Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers respectively.

Flood was vociferous in his damnation over the sacking of coach John Fletcher while Steve Black's exit also brought widespread public criticism.

Given the unstable situaton surrounding Northern Rock and a disappointing season on the pitch, the Super 14 duo of Tane Tuipolutu and South African lock Cobus Grobler will hardly fill the fans with plenty of optimism given the loss of two high profile stars.

Crusaders 18-10 Sharks

The Crusaders sit serenely ten points clear at the top of the Super 14 following an 18-10 defeat of South African rivals the Sharks in Durban.

Wyatt Crockett's late try spared the champions-elect's blushes but It was the third loss in succession for the Sharks who have moved from second to sixth since their tour of Australia and South Africa.

Bulls 16-13 Waratahs

The Waratahs currently lie as the Crusaders cloest challangers but lost out to last year's champions the Bulls thanks to a Morne Steyn drop-goal seven minutes from full-time after Derick Kluun had barged over for the crucial score.

Hurricanes 38-12 Lions

It looks like either the Hurricanes or the Chiefs will be the most likely finalists... alongside the table toppers that is.

The Hurricanes smashed past the Lions marching in five tries for a bonus-point victory with Ma'a Nonu doing his All-Black chances no harm with a brace of tries.

Western Force 22-21 Chiefs

Matt Giteau's injury-time penalty sealed a dramatic victory for the Force and dent the Waikato outfit's chances of a home semi-final. Leila Masaga and Stephen Donald looked to have staged a magnificent comeback but Giteau's flawless left-boot kept the Australian hopes of a play-off spot alive.

Stormers 20-10 Brumbies

The Stormers and the Brumbies traded places after the Cape Towners fabulous first half performance earned them a richly deserved win over the former champions.

A penalty try and a Jean de Villiers effort put the hosts 20-0 up at half-time but even Adam Ashley-Cooper's try failed to ignite any Brumbies comeback.

Reds 22-35 Blues

The Blues are lingering on the edge of the play-off hopefuls after a late surge avoided any embarrasment with Kurtis Haiu and Taniela Moa on hand at the vital moment.

Cheetahs 28-31 Highlanders

Aaron Bancroft captured only the Highlanders second victory of the season after the centre scored two tries to win the battle of the basement.