This weeks Super 12 Review

With 2 weeks remaining in the Super 12 NSW are poised to host a home semi final, QLD have moved into 3rd place and the Brumbies hit hard by injuries are still trying to secure a place in the 4.

Who would have thought that the Brumbies, who up until round 5 had been the most dominant team, might miss out on defending their title?

In their last four outings they have dominated possession but outstanding defence from the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Waratahs and Otago has seen them come up empty.

How would Radike Samo be feeling? Just 4 weeks ago everything seemed bright and rosy. The Brumbies had come back against the Crusaders in Christchurch a try in the final minutes to Larkham and the goal from Walker moved them into the lead with a minute remaining. The Crusaders kicked off deep and Radike Samo the replacement lock dropped the ball cold!!! From the scrum Aaron Mauger calmly slotted a field goal to give them a win. The rot had set in!

Injuries to Jeremy Paul, Owen Finegin and Peter Ryan disrupted their preparation for the Hurricanes, all three missed the game and the Brumbies struggled again. The Waratahs were up next and after winning 7 lineouts against the throw a tight head and having 65% of the possession the Brumbies were shut down by a great defensive effort from the Waratahs.

After going down again last weekend to the Highlanders the Brumbies have to win there remaining two matches against the Chiefs (away) and the Blues (Home), Justin Harrison is definitely out for this week and maybe next, Tim Atkinson is gone for the remainder of the games. Positive news is that Stirling Mortlock may make an early come back this week and Jeremy Paul battling an ankle injury is sure to play.

The Reds have come good at the right end of the tournament once again (they won there last six in 2001 to qualify for 4th)

They have had the easier section of the draw facing up to the lemons from South Africa consequently winning all four games and claiming maximum points. They have there own injury concerns with Toutai Kefu set to miss the remainder of the Super 12 and doubts hang over his brother Steve, Daniel Herbert and Nathan Sharpe. I think you will find that all 3 will play against the Waratahs this weekend. There is no way that Herbert is going to miss the clash with Burke who may well wear the No 13. jersey for the Wallabies. Queensland have never lost a Super 12 fixture to NSW a sure fact that may give them a slight edge in betting. Some great match ups Flatley v McRae (the form player in the Super 12) Tune v Staniforth, Rogers v Wendell (not a direct match up but sure to gain plenty of headlines).

Well what can you say about the Waratahs...

Often maligned for past performances the difference this year is the Waratahs have won there close matches.....often set up by outstanding defence.

There season got a kick start when Nathan Grey landed a field goal in injury time in the away game against the Stormers. They have only had the 1 hiccup against the Blues when for 10mins there defence struggled and they went down narrowly. A good win against the Highlanders set up a clash with the defending champions. In front of a record crowd at Aussie Stadium (41,024) the Waratahs tackled themselves to a standstill. The turning point came when McRae slid between Harrison and Larkham to seal the game. The ref was a joke sending 3 to the bin and must have given away 25 penalties.

The faithful returned in another sellout at the stadium when the Waratahs took on the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes coming off the bye and last up starters against the Brumbies fancied there chances (they actually beat the Waratahs with 14 men in 2000, Lomu was sent off for a HIGH TACKLE).

This time Christian Cullen was the villain dropping the ball over the line once and failing to ground another ball after chasing a kick through. But perhaps their greatest jeer came for Lomu, with the line wide open and time almost up the big fella dropped what could only be called in cricket "an absolute sitter" and the Waratahs held on. Unfortunately there was some bad news with "Crazy" Greysie being ruled out for the season and Phil Waugh under a fitness cloud

Predictions looking ahead to the games that matter:

The Brumbies to bounce back and secure maximum points against the hot and cold Chiefs, Crusaders to beat the inconsistent Hurricanes, Reds to edge out the Waratahs and the Highlanders to beat the blues.

Going into this round the table looked like this:

Crusaders 41
Waratahs 38
Reds 30
Otago 29
Blues 28
ACT 28

Looking ahead one week the Crusaders will beat the Tahs at home to secure 1st place, the Tahs to finish in 2nd place and secure a home final. The Brumbies to beat the Blues and finish 3rd setting up another match with the Waratahs and Otago to beat the Reds at the House of Pain to finish 4th.

Prediction for the finals:

1. Crusaders
2. Waratahs
3. ACT
4. Otago