Players to Watch: New Zealand

Israel Dagg:

Ever since I first saw Dagg playing for the Highlanders I knew the All Blacks were about to produce yet another superstar. Then to confirm my worst fears they sent him to the Crusaders to see if he really has the goods, and he does.
He is deadly under the high ball and his counter attacking is close to the best I have seen. He is quick, elusive and close on to 100kg's he can pack a punch in contact too. He always gains yards with ball in hand and will punish you if your defensive lines are not in order, coupled with the fact that he has the likes of Corey Jane and Zac Guildford outside him...it spells disaster for opposition teams. He is my pick for tournaments leading try scorer.
Other danger men would be Adam Thomson and Ma'a Nonu

Name: Israel Dagg
Age: 23
Position: Fullback/Wing
Teams: Crusaders & New Zealand
Test Caps:  7 (10 points)
Height: 1.86m
Weight: 95kg's

Muliaina is trying to keep him out of the #15 jersey for this World Cup

Tri Nations Recap: South Africa v New Zealand

The Springboks have escaped a first ever win less Tri Nations by beating the All Blacks at a packed Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. The match saw only one try from the visitors with Richard Kahui crossing the whitewash in the 35th minute. The rest of the game belonged to SA and more notably Morne Steyn...

Tri Nations PreJudgement: South Africa v New Zealand (Port Elizabeth)

'Judge me on the World Cup' is the song that coach Peter de Villiers is singing to the South African public. What is a slight worry is that you don't just pitch up and all falls into place. You need to practice a few combo's and strategies leading into the IRB RWC. So, now that the Kiwi's are here on our home ground (and shamefully for us, it seems like a home game to them), what are we going to give them?

SupeRugby Round 12 PreJudgement:

I am not sure how the Bulls will be feeling having a buy this week. They will either welcome the break or will be chomping at the bit to start securing bonus point wins again. The Blues will be looking to extend their lead on the log. We are spoilt for choice regarding good games this week but there is no doubt that all eyes will be on the Stormers v Crusaders game at Newlands on Saturday. 

Hurricanes v Blues (Wellington)
The more I look at the team sheets the more I fear for the future of the Hurricanes coaching staff. The only real weakness I can see on the Blues team would be Stephan Brett's kicking. They have an extremely solid tight five and loose trio along with a fantastic backline. No Corey Jane for the Hurricanes but, he isn't having the best season ever.
PreJudgement: Blues by 17 

Rebels v Reds (Melbourne)
The Reds will need the Crusaders and Hurricanes to help them out if they want to go top of the log. They will be looking to secure 5 points in Melbourne on Friday and bounce back from their loss last week. Will Genia and Quade Cooper are the only two players to start in every game this season and the Australian half back pairing will be looking to tear into the SupeRugby newbies.
PreJudgement: Reds by 9

Lions v Cheetahs (Johannesburg)
The only South African derby of the weekend and the more you look into it better it gets. The Cheetahs are looking to build on their brilliant performance from last week while the Lions are looking to put their get only their second win of the season. These head to heads are mouthwatering : Brussow v Grobbelaar, Johnson v Strauss, Pretorius v Kockott, Burger v Mapoe. Dylan des Fountain makes his SupeRugby debut for the Cheetahs and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on. This might be closer than initially thought.
PreJudgement: Lions by 5

Chiefs v Highlanders (Hamilton)
The Highlanders could end up outside the wildcards at the end of the weekend if they don't beat the Chiefs. They take on their third derby in three weeks and travel to Hamilton to take on a team that could shake them around a bit. Adam Thomson returns and will be looking to pick up where he left off two games ago.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 9

Waratahs v Force (Sydney)
A tough game to call but the Waratahs are desperate to win to move above the Sharks and the Highlanders (should they lose). Players to keep an eye on will be James O'Connor, Willie Ripia, Kurtley Beale and Luke Burgess.
PreJudgement: Draw

Stormers v Crusaders (Cape Town)
What can I say about this game that hasn't been said already? We are all looking forward to the possible Springbok v AB centre pairing pre-world cup showdown. I think Lionel Cronje might be out of his depth in this fixture and I also think that all the hype has been on the #12 &13 match up, but Israel Dagg will be the danger man for the Crusaders.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 5

Sharks v Brumbies (Durban)
A desperate game for both teams. The Brumbies are just looking for log points to brighten up their gloomy season but the Sharks, on the other hand, are fighting to stay in the running to be Champions. They are coming off an extremely poor performance against the Stormers and will be looking to prove to themselves and their supporters that they are worthy title contenders. A welcome return for longtime injured flanker Jean Deysel at 7 for the Sharks.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 11