SupeRugby Round 3: PreJudgement

Crusaders v Waratahs (Trafalgar Park, Nelson)

This, to me, is going to be one of the games of the weekend. The NSW outfit have come off two bonus point victories in the first two weeks of Super Rugby. The Crusaders are coming back from an extremely tough and emotional week as well as a bye and I expect will come out all guns blazing for this ‘home’ fixture. Will it be enough?

PreJudgement: ‘Tahs by 6

Lions v Blues (Coca-Cola Park, Jhb)

Tough one to call, as the Lions are looking hot and the Blues not. Will the Blues have adjusted enough to time difference and altitude? If the Lions are going to grab some points early on this season now is their chance. It is going to be a good contest never the less!

PreJudgement: Lions by 3

Chiefs v Rebels (Hamilton)

How do the Rebels travel, is flying in my head after last weeks performance? Waikato lost in round 2 away in Dunedin to the unfancied Highlanders. I just don’t see them slipping up to the Rebels at home. The Rebels are yet to travel as a team and although it is just over the Tasman I think it will be too much.

PreJudgement: Chiefs by 19

Brumbies v Reds (Canberra)

The Australian Capital hosts the Reds in a must win for both these teams. There is also the small battle between the two number 10’s for the national position. Yes, Giteau can play at 12 too but we all know where he would rather be starting. Just looking at the match ups from 9-15 the gap will be in the centre for the Reds, Adam Ashley-Cooper is going to star in this fixture

PreJudgement: Brumbies by 10

Force v Sharks (Perth)

On the topic of number 10’s, this match up will show the best of what’s to come (That’s if O’Conner starts at 10) for Australia and South Africa.

Both Lambie and O’Conner are going to feature in this fast paced game. Tough to call, being a Sharks supporter and all, but I am hoping the long travel wont affect the Banana Boys.

PreJudgement: Force by 6

Stormers v Cheetahs (Newlands)

This game is going to be my second pick for game of the week. The Stormers are going to have a tough time getting into the pace of Super Rugby and need to hold the Cheetahs off while doing so. I am hoping for SA rugby that the Cheetahs put up a good performance but I just don’t see them holding the Stormers off if they hit their straps.

PreJudgement: Stormers by 15

Bulls v Highlanders (Loftus, Pretoria)

I’m looking forward to seeing what the Highlanders have to offer as a traveling team. They have shut their critics up with 2 wins out of 2 and are heading on their travels with their tails up! The Bulls, however, have had to scrape through for both their victories against two unfancied SA teams. Loftus is however worth a few points added to the formidable boot of Steyn, 'The Enforcer' Bakkies Botha and Fourie Du Preez I think the Highlanders are going to suffer their first defeat of 2011

PreJudgement: Bulls by 18