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You forgot about this one? What a pleasant surprise for a rugby fan. There are actually four massive games over the weekend. The three tonight and then the Stormers v Bulls match early tomorrow morning. We should have a much clearer idea about how the finals will pan out this time tomorrow...

This is a vitally important fixture in the context of the NZ Conference and the competition more generally. The winner of this fixture is all but assured of winning the Conference. And a home match in the first week of the finals. I can't see either of these teams overtaking the Stormers or...

Where: Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru When: 7.30pm(local time), 5.30pm(AEST) Saturday, June 11th Head to Head: Played 18 - Crusaders 9 wins, Blues 9 wins Last Game: Blues 24 def Crusaders 22, Eden Park, February 19th, 2011 Referee: Craig Joubert Teams: Crusaders Coach...

I think it's all about the balance of your backline. If you look back through the better midfields in recent years, they have been balanced, offering equal measures of attacking dynamism, distributive skill, defensive solidity and rugby smarts. Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith are so successful...

I disagree that you need every player to be an x factor attacking player. A player's defense is just as important as their attack, especially come the knock out stages of the RWC, where games will be won and lost in defense. Moreover, Anthony Fainga'a has been an intergral part of a very...

I am 100% certain there is nothing written in any IRB law book which links a headbutt to an automatic red card. And therefore I believe this fiasco was Joubert's fault, not the Assistant Referees. Joubert handled the AR's report very poorly, and effectively forced him into agreeing to a red...

Perhaps the automatic red carding for headbutts is the issue, not the AR's call? Why are all headbutts treated as being equal, when no other foul play offences are punsihed with a blanket rule? High tackles aren't, late tackles aren't, even hands to the eyes aren't. Clearly the AR thought he...

Tough call. But I suppose if the AR saw it as being a headbutt, then he was obliged to report this to Joubert. And Joubert was then obliged to issue the red card.

Sbw played his worst game of the year in attack, and while he made many good tackles, he had a long break in the 1st half with a cut hand.

Strange question. As I said in my previous post, both teams played very well. Both teams did many good things and some bad things. Obviously when a game is decided by one point, both teams deserve to win.

I agree. It was dominant without being match definingly(is that a word??) dominant. In saying that, the final scrum penalty Carter kicked could have cost the Reds the game.

Okay, time for me to share my thoughts on the game. I am not going to discuss Stu Dickenson, that has been done ad nauseam across the interweb over the past 24 hours. I thought that was a fantastic game of Rugby. Both teams played with 100% commitment, and IMO the contest lived up to the hype...

The capacity crowd should be of real benefit to both teams. Whilst the Reds player will have massive support to draw upon, no doubt the Crusaders players will also draw upon the energy and atmosphere generated by a capacity crowd.

!!!!I'm excited!!!!!

Indeed. You could add that clash to those listed in the OP as being absolutely crucial in deciding the final wildcard spots. I do think it is a bit weird though, how the Bulls and Sharks played only last week and they play again so soon. I think all these upcoming crunch games are a boon for...

I think the Waratahs will lose in Pretoria, but beat the Highlanders, thus ensuring that their clash with the Brumbies is effectively a sudden death elimination final. And given the current state of the Brumbies, and the fact that the Waratahs will have everything to play for, I see the men from...

Yeah, the points I allocated in the OP were from stuff.co.nz and failed to include the Bulls' overnight win. I will ammend the OP accordingly. I think the Bulls might scrape into the semis, but that will, in all likelihood, involve a trip to NZ for a semi final. And whilst no-one should ever...

Personally, I can't see that happening. I think the long season is starting to catch up to the Highlanders. I cannot see them beating the Tahs in Sydney or the Blues in Auckland.

The Waratahs’ overnight loss to the Sharks sets up a mouth-watering run into the finals. With just three games to play this is the state of play for the teams outside the top 3. 4th - Crusaders 48 points (game in hand) 5th - Sharks 47 points 6th – Waratahs 46 points 7th - Bulls 45 points 8th –...

So you are suggesting that the NZRU should sort out this issue? Given that they will be severely out of pocket should Fiji withdraw, are you saying that they should fund Fiji's RWC campaign?