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?

Tri Nations PreJudgement: South Africa v Australia (Durban)

Win or lose this game it is nice to see a strong Springbok team run out in Durban this Saturday. No matter what has happened over the last few weeks and years these next few games leading up to the IRB RWC will need to show growth and positiveness. If they don't, the shit will truly hit the fan for Springboks, the wrath from the Nation will be felt and I feel that nobody will be spared, whether your a World Cup winning Captain, the best lock pairing the world has seen, an out of form winger or the softly spoken but outrageously controversial Coach   .

Tri Nations: New Zealand v South Africa Recap

Can I open my eyes yet? Phew, last weeks game was sad and frustrating, I am however feeling a little better about the fact that its over and done with. Now, all Springbok fans can look forward to seeing what PDivvy is really planning for the World Cup with the last remaining fixtures of the Tri Nations.

SupeRugby Round 17 PreJudgement:

Two weeks of wondering about who is in the top six. Two weeks for the fringe teams to secure their position and Two weeks for the Sharks and the Bulls to ensure that their are three SA teams in the play-offs. So, this is how its going down. Bulls to win, Sharks to win, both with 5 points. Reds lose and Crusaders v Blues is a boring 0-0 draw. Now the odds I would get on that would be ridiculous. Round 17 PreJudgement to follow...

Chiefs v Hurricanes (Hamilton)
These two teams are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon in the NZ conference this year. Both are coming off a win last week but looking at their opposition you would feel that the Chiefs had the better win. Will this prove in their favour or not? The Hurricanes backline have slowly been finding their feet over the past few weeks and more importantly Corey Jane. Looking forward to his battle up against Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 9

Brumbies v Rebels (Canberra)
These are two of the bottom teams playing each other. There isn't much to be said about the Brumbies that hasn't been said already. They have simply been poor this season. The Rebels have, as expected, finished on the bottom of the Australian conference but have dished out a few surprises this season. Controversially Danny Cipriani makes a return to the starting line up. I won't lie, I am looking forward to this game and I think it will be a good one.
PreJudgement: Rebels by 4
 
Crusaders v Blues (Timaru)
Big game of the weekend as these two are playing  for top spot and automatic qualification in the NZ conference. Both teams are fielding their best and this game will be played as a knock-out game, quite tight I would think. The Crusaders need the win and this should open the door for some backline magic.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 5

Waratahs v Highlanders (Sydney)
The last make or break game for these teams. the great thing is it is not a derby game and I am looking forward to watching this clash. Both teams have finished this 2011 campaign poorly and are rapidly running out of opportunity to make the play-offs. Tony Brown running on at number 10, he may be a pensioner but could be the man to take it on for the Highlanders.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 9

Force v Reds (Perth)
If the Reds drop this game, which I don't see, it opens the door for the Stormers to top the 2011 log at the end of the weekend. You can't see the Reds losing but the opportunity is there. They have had the greatest ever run in SupeRugby and one wonders if and when they will slip up or buckle under the pressure. The Force have not been impressive this season and will try and topple the table toppers but you just don't see this game in their favour.
PreJudgement: Reds by 8
 

Lions v Sharks (Johannesburg)
There are many factors influencing this game, the one that stands out for me is seeing Butch James line up against his old team. The Lions have had an inconsistent season but the momentum is with them at the moment. The Sharks will not underestimate this Lions outfit and will be looking to knock them out early on. John Smit moves to hooker and the Beast makes a start....NICE!
PreJudgement: Sharks by 10
 
Stormers v Bulls (Cape Town)
This game has to be the talk of the SupeRugby world this week. Both teams need the win for different reasons. The Stormers could go top, but if they lose, could lose the top spot in SA conference next week. The Bulls are playing for a play-off spot . This game is so difficult to call as both teams are on fire and both teams have the trophy in mind, with the experience and ability to do so. The talk of the week is the loss of Bakkies Botha and Fourie du Preez for the Bulls and the stormers rookie Fly-Half Kurt Coleman. Game on!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 5 (Home ground call)

Finally I would like to wish the SA under 20's good luck in the IRB Junior World Championship/Trophy. Bring it home boys.

SupeRugby Round 16 PreJudgement:

The Crusaders are the only team on a bye this weekend and therefore secure a valuable 4 points in their quest to make play-offs. The Sharks, Bulls, Highlanders and 'Tahs are facing not their first and definitely not their last season defining game this weekend. Lets dig in...

Highlanders v Force (Dunedin)
This is going to be a cracker but The Highlanders will be looking to bag 5 points here. The Force are without James O'Connor for the second week running but do have a very exciting half back pairing in Swanepoel and Stannard. The Force away from home and on the end of a poor season, I just can't see them taking it. unless of course the Highlanders completely butcher it.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 5

Rebels v Stormers (Melbourne)
Can you hear that? Its a storm warning in Melbourne...wow, that looks so much worse written than in my head, but it stays. As inspirational as this season has been for the new franchise, breaking the Stormers defense needs a little more than inspiration. Great midfield match up but that little battle will end in the Springbok pairing dominating. Kurt Coleman you beauty, this kid has put his hand up when the Stormers were quite simply, in poo! Yes, he has being playing with a quality outfit, but he has done well. Keep it up. As for his replacement....BLEH!
PreJudgement: Stormers by 21

Bulls v Waratahs (Pretoria)
This is going to be a hard and physically draining game for both teams. The 'Tahs are talking up a big game this week and saying they won't slip like they did last year at the same venue. Could it be? I doubt it. Danie Rossouw gets a well deserved start and will be tearing the Aussie team apart with his physical play, oh yes, then there's G.Botha, B.Botha, Matfield, Stegmann and Spies you have to keep an eye on too. I just can't see them out-muscling, out-running or out-thinking the Bulls.
PreJudgement: Bulls by 9

Hurricanes v Lions (Wellington)
Beware the wounded Lion. The Lions come off a great win last week and will be looking to build on it, the Hurricanes too. You look at the teams on paper and surely you would back the 'Canes, then again, you would have backed the Highlanders last week. Grobelaar comes back into the set up and I am not sure he will be up to the games pace but lets see.
PreJudgement: "Canes by 6

Blues v Chiefs (Auckland) 
This is going to be a proper battle. Looking at the Blues backline its pretty dangerous and so is he Chiefs one. The Blues have opted to bench Kevin Mealamu but I do see him making a massive difference when he runs on to the park. Tana Umaga starts at 12 after returning from injury with Richard Kahui outside him. A Cracker of a game awaits us.
PreJudgement: Blues by 4

Reds v Brumbies (Brisbane)
You can't see the Brumbies taking this one, the only thing they have in their favour is that the Reds have come off a massive battle against the Crusaders and they might underestimate them.....aaaah NOPE! Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie will not allow that. The Brumbies have been taking beating after beating this season and the last thing they want is to get smashed in a derby game.
PreJudgement: Reds by 11


Cheetahs v Sharks (Bloemfontein)
Mmmmm, crunch time for the Sharks. This game is making me a little nervous as the Cheetahs are looking good and are at home against the banana boys (now, that goes back some time). Plumtree has opted for Smit to start at prop and the Beast off the bench. I am a big John Smit fan but i do believe he is a hooker but lets wait and see because if you are going to get tested....Bloem is the place to go. Frederic Michalak returns for the Sharks and they will soon be welcoming Marius Joubert and Ruan Pienaar. Things are looking better for the backline now. Sias Ebersohn scares me as he is on fire.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 7

Another SupeRugby weekend to look forward too and some movement on the table.

SupeRugby Round 11 Prejudgement:

FIRSTLY, a big congratulations to the Lions for securing a 4 point bye win this week. Unfortunately they are still rooted to the bottom of the table. There are 2 top of the Conference Derbies this week and they are going to be crackers, Highlanders v Blues and Stormers v Sharks. Purely from a NZ and SA point of view they are huge but in terms of the combined conference these results will affect the top 8. Will the Brumbies start their away leg with a win and revive their season? Will the Rebels pull the wool over the Waratahs eyes? Only time will tell...

Highlanders v Blues (Dunedin)
Luke McAlister and Adam Thomson both return to the starting line up for the Blues and Highlanders respectively. There will be a lot of focus on the two fly-halves as the old war horse Tony Brown had a great game last week will be up against Stephan Brett. As all derbies should be, this is going to be a hard physical game and no team will go into the changing room at the end of the game wondering if they could have done better. I don't think the Highlanders have it in them after last week.
PreJudgement: Blues by 6

Cheetahs v Brumbies (Bloemfontein)
The Cheetahs will be looking to drive some nails into the coffin of the Brumbies by taking a win on Friday night. The Brumbies, I am sure are going to relish being out of  'pressure cooker' that is Australia after their worst start in SupeRugby history. With the appointment of Jake White onto their coaching staff for next season, maybe the Brumbies will pick it up a bit on the Bosses home soil.
PreJudgement: Brumbies by 11


Hurricanes v Reds (Wellington)
One would expect the Reds to walk all over the hapless Hurricanes, but there is a little bell inside my head warning me that they are still a dangerous team. Then I look at the injuries they have had and the loooong flight home. After all of that I realise that they are playing the mighty Reds. This is going to be a horrible return home after touring and its not going to end well for the home team. What theatrics are we going to see out of Quade Cooper this week?
PreJudgement: Reds by 9

Waratahs v Rebels (Sydney)
The Rebels are due a win or have they used up all their first season 'get out of jail' free cards? I think they have and we should settle down and watch the Waratahs dominate the new boys. The loss of Drew Mitchell is significant but he is replaced by Soseni Anesi who can produce the goods. Kurtley Beale moves to fullback and Berrick Barnes wears the number 10 jumper.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 19

Force v Crusaders (Perth)
Richie McCaw returns as captain for the Crusaders and immediately everyone sits up and takes notice. There are no more 'rested' players on the bench as they all seem to be starting this week. Todd Blackadder will be looking to take 5 points home from this game. Willie Ripia will be starting a t 10 with the talented James O'Connor outside him. It is also great to see Matt Dunning starting again for the Force.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 15

Bulls v Chiefs (Pretoria)
The Bulls are not going to get out of their crap form this week. Not even with all the hype around what their sponsors are getting them to do, I think its shocking! The Chiefs have come off a tough game last week but the Bulls are risking Dewald Potgieter and Francois Hougaard very soon after injury.
PreJudgement: Chiefs by 7

Stormers v Sharks (Cape Town)
The Stormers captain, Schalk Burger, has been downplaying their win in the shark tank a few weeks ago in the media. The Sharks have been downplaying the revenge factor this game has....ITS ALL LIES! The Stormers and Sharks want to beat the living daylights out of each other. The Stormers want a double and the Sharks want Revenge! There is are no two ways about it. John Smit stays at hooker and captain for the Sharks, with Bismark du Plessis on the bench. Peter Grant has a late fitness test on Friday to see if he can play on Saturday. Ross Skeate returns to Cape Town where here played for SACS , UCT and the Stormers.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 9

SupeRugby Round 8 Prejudgement:

This weeks games will define the season for many of the teams. A win for the Reds, Stormers or Crusaders will almost secure a play off place, wins for the Sharks and Highlanders puts them back into the knock out wild card qualification. A loss for the Brumbies or Hurricanes and their season would be pretty much over.

Highlanders v Cheetahs (Carisbrook, Dunedin)
The Cheetahs are hopefully going to be concentrating on the game and not coming home! It's the South Africans last touring game before they head home. SupeRugby Round 8 kicks off with the Highlanders as the favorites for this game, with the opportunity to move higher up the ladder into Wild Card Territory.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 12

Crusaders v Bulls (Fraser Park, Timaru)
Game of the weekend number 1 and with Dan Carter sitting out with a hamstring injury, Matt Berquist gets a start at flyhalf for probably the most exciting backline ever fielded. The Bulls will fancy their chances against the Crusaders with Carter not available as well as coming off a win last week. Morne Steyn didn't win too many fans with his drop kicks last week but as boring as it is to watch, it wins games and adds three points.
PreJudgement: Crusaders by 9

Brumbies v Hurricanes (Canberra Stadium, Canberra)
Wow, this could go one of two ways, riddled with errors, bad kicking and poor hands or it could be the game of the season. Both teams need a win (more than oxygen right now) and with the talent they both have available to them lets hope we are in for a quality 80 minutes. I think The Hurricanes might find the trip too much to deal with as the Australian capital is a tough place to visit.
PreJudgement: Brumbies by 12

Force v Waratahs (Perth Oval, Perth)
James O'Connor has been moved to fullback for this encounter to give Willie Ripia his first start at flyhalf this season. Ex Force centre and wing Ryan Cross has hit out at his old team mates for not closing out games. I am sure this will add some extra niggle to Saturdays game.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 7

Stormers v Reds (Newlands, Cape Town)
Game of the weekend number 2. The build up to this game has been awesome. Everyone is wondering which backline is going to come out winners come the final whistle. Quade Cooper v Peter Grant , Digby Ioane v Bryan Habana , Duane Vermeulen v Scott Higginbotham. Just looking at those match ups should excite you as a rugby supporter. Such a tough game to call.
PreJudgement: do I have to say something.... Stormers by 5

Sharks v Lions (Kings Park, Durban)
A number of changes for the Sharks this week sees John Smit and Eugene van Staden starting at prop with Gerhard Mostert replacing the injured Hargreaves. This has opened the door for Ross Skeate's return to SupeRugby after a two year stint at French side Toulon. The Lions will be looking to kick the Sharks while they are down but they have had their fair share of problems with many missed kicks. The Sharks are coming off three losses on the trot but I can assure you that they will not settle for anything less than a bonus point win.
PreJudgement: Sharks by 15