SUPER 15 - WEEK BY WEEK

CRUSADERS vs WESTERN FORCE

The Western Force have always been a banana peel for the Crusaders. Today their second half performance merely reminded us of this fact.

The match was, however, effectively over by halftime despite a commendable second half effort from the visitors. All that remained was for the in running players who climbed on the Crusaders bus at the interval to do their money when the inevitable substitutions were made and the Force averted a massacre.

There was plenty for playoff opponents of the Crusaders to reflect upon as the former champions leaked three tries in the second half having already been recipients of what can only be described as 'friendly' decision making by the officials in the first half.

There should be every reason for concern regarding competent officiating in NZ. In the last few weeks decison making has been horrendous. Thankfully no NZ referees have managed an appointment in the upcoming Rugby Championship as they are completely undeserving of any top class appointments.

Though I wanted the Crusaders to win the TMO was shocking (in their favour) - Has the specsavers franchise got any branches in NZ?

REDS vs WARATAHS

The twists and turns of the final weekend continued with the Reds coming from off the pace and consigning the conference leading Brumbies to possible/probable also rans in the space of 80 minutes.

Congratulations to those of you who kept the faith - you could have got 25/1 yesterday about this franchise's chances. They are certainly far and away Australia's best chance of winning the title. The Crusaders, in particular, will be hoping they do not have to travel to Suncorp as their record there is not good.

It's been gripping stuff

hey lads, bulls only need to win by 7 points or more and they get a QF away to the Reds instead of the Crusaders. Teh BP win does nothing for them but get them two games in New Zealand.

general consensus on whether they'll beat the handicap? (Sharks?)

STORMERS vs REBELS

The Stormers blew hot and cold and eventually registered a laboured win over a game Rebels side that put up a particularly good effort in the second half.

The Deon Fourie experiment at No 8 worked well for the home side. But there is an awful lot about their play that will need to improve dramatically if they are to lift the cup In August.

i think the CHEETAHS at +13.5 a bet and the Bulls to kill the lions

SHARKS vs CHEETAHS

The Sharks predicatably qualified for the playoffs but their continued participation may end up being a gross waste of airline tickets if they repeat anything approaching their first half performance against the Cheetahs.

Once again a Super Rugby match was marred by a dreadful refereeing ruling and an assistant referree passing the buck and pleading unsighted when asked what he did or did not see. I am starting to lose count of the games that might have had different outcomes without refereeing errors or odd rulings.

The Bulls were the last to qualify for the Super Rugby playoffs.

For their pains they have 'won' a trip to Christchurch to meet the Crusaders.

Their predicatable game plan should present few problems for their hosts.

To save time and effort I recommend they pre-slaughter the ox, vacuum pack the choice bits and send them over to NZ unaccompanied to save everyone the pain, anguish and possibly embarrassment of having to sit through what is likely to happen to them next week.

If they had a front row ( which they don't ) we could, at least, have prayed for rain. Which would have helped.

With The Reds qualifying over the Brumbies unfortunately we will have no easy rides to make the semis. I recon it will be 1-2-3-4 that qualify for the Semi's, sorry my beloved Bulls.

The week off for The Stormers is badly needed as they are not playing well enough to beat a team of the calibre of the Saders who knocked them out at the same stage at Newlands last year.

How stupid were the Bulls winning with a bonus point?had they just won they would have gone to play the Reds......surely a way easier game than the Crusaders in NZ?????

The plan is to get rid of the difficult teams first and have an easy final.

Go the Bulls