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   .

Quota of a different kind:

Being a World Cup year brings all sorts of crazy feelings to rugby fans and players alike. One thing we mustn't forget is that the Southern Hemisphere boys have a small matter of the Tri-Nations to fight for beforehand. I have been keenly watching the Springbok Squad selection and the management team have recently cut a few players which brings me to my quota concern. It's not the usual crap about quota's that you have heard for the last couple of decades but the 'There is no replacement for experience' quota's. 

Basically, are we  going to fall into same trap that the FIFA world cup champions (France & Italy) did? Are we going to be knocked out in the first round because we sent the experienced players instead of inform players? So many questions that are burning me right now and I wish I had answers for them!

Judging by the team that has been announced I see way too many of our inform players playing second fiddle to the older more experienced (and slightly off form) guys and sadly some inform players being dropped. Firstly I would like to briefly tackle the two players that have been dropped from the squad and I think should still be there:

Bjorn Basson and Keegan Daniel:

What else do they need to do in order to move into the International set up? Both have had an awesome season and both have been overlooked by players that are either injured or not playing well at all. 

You can't please every "coach" on squad selections but I think these two have something to offer and will be missed.

Secondly I am worried we will have the likes of Andries Bekker, Bismark du Plessis and Lwazi Mvovo playing behind guys that are not in form or being played out of position. I understand there needs to be a squad in place to help the entire Tri-Nations and IRB RWC campaign but when it comes too big games are we going to pick game breakers or settle for the rugby we saw 4 years ago? The rugby 4 years ago was great...4 years ago. Now that the rugby powers have evolved and changed their game are we going to be able to compete with new innovation or hope to get by on old experience?

SupeRugby Round 7 PreJudgement:

Looking at this weeks fixtures I'm going to put my head on a block for three certainties. Blues, Force and Reds for wins, good ones. The Bulls could sneak a win and the rest is pretty tough to call. With the Crusaders on a bye this week, which puts them on top of the log before a tackle is made, some of the other NZ hopefuls get a chance to strut their stuff for NZ National coach, Graham Henry. One thing for sure is the game of the week will without doubt be in Durban as the Sharks host the Stormers.

Highlanders v Brumbies (Invercargill)
The Brumbies will be hoping that the past weeks bye for the Highlanders will put them off the pace. The Brumbies have gotten off to a shocking start this season and are in serious trouble of not qualifying for the knock out stages. The Highlanders, on the other hand, will be looking to put the Australian team out of the running and strengthen their own chances.
PreJudgement: Highlanders by 4

Waratahs v Chiefs (Sydney)
The Chiefs are bottom of the NZ conference and looking to turn their luck around in Sydney against the Waratahs. Both the Waratahs and Chiefs haven't been performing to their usual high standards and are going to be attempting to capitalise this weekend. Kurtley Beale at 10 for the Waratahs might be the difference in this game.
PreJudgement: Waratahs by 11

Blues v Cheetahs (Northland, NEC)
I think the only people remotely willing to put money on the Cheetahs, would be a few die hard fans, the coaching staff and parents. I'm sorry to say but I think there could be a record broken here. I really hope that I am proven wrong but looking at what the Cheetahs have to deal with just in the backline, I fear the worst.
PreJudgement: Blues by 29

Hurricanes v Bulls (Napier)
This is proving to be a tough one to call. Both teams have lost their mojo, with the Hurricanes physically looking down and out once the Rebels started applying the pressure last week. The Bulls have just not been themselves. If one of these teams don't turn it on this week we could be in for the most boring game in history...
PreJudgement: Bulls by 8 

Force v Rebels (Perth)
The battle of the newbies. The two youngest SupeRugby franchises will be doing battle in Perth on Saturday. If the Rebels' short history is anything to go by, they are going to be on the wrong end of 40 points. The Rebels have often struggled the week after a win, coupled with the fact that they are away from home.
PreJudgement: Force by 17

Lions v Reds (Johannesburg)
The Reds are going to walk this by some margin. The Lions have shown some promise this season but it looks as if they they will only reap the rewards in the 2012 season. The Reds have been  on fire this season and with New Zealander Mike Harris getting his first start this season, there are going to be fireworks.
PreJudgement: Reds by 22

Sharks v Stormers (Durban)
The game of the weekend! I think the Sharks have made two mistakes with the run on team for Saturday: 1: Jacques-Louis Potgieter should be somewhere else and Meyer Bosman should start at 10 and 2: Lwazi Mvovo should be starting. The Stormers welcome Schalk Burger back to the starting line up which is always good to see for the Stormers, Springboks and neutral fans. Hopefully all the traveling won't get to the Sharks as they need to be on top of their game to beat a resurgent Stormers team.
PreJudgement: Stormers by 9