On the heels of two tryless games and some woeful refereeing, the Super 14 is rapidly becoming the Average 14. After showing some signs of once again being the world’s premier club competition in Week 2, Week 3 saw a return to poor handling, clueless attack and awful decision making. The only improvement for most teams came from their defense with far fewer tackles being missed.

Hurricanes vs Brumbies
Going against the current trend of playing badly, the Hurricanes are one of the form teams so far in the Super 14. With good wins over the Chiefs and Blues in the last two weeks, the Hurricanes are brimming with confidence. The Brumbies, by contrast, bungled their way to an ugly win against the Reds and are yet to turn in a convincing win. Neither team has really put their opposition away this season with the Hurricanes’ largest winning margin being 7 points against the Chiefs, and the Brumbies’ 6 against the same Chiefs.

The only signifigant injury to come out of last week’s games for either team with to Brumbies’ centre Stirling Mortlock who was almost decapitated by a shocking tackle by the Reds’ Lloyd Johansen. Mortlock misses this game with a head injury.

While both teams have records of 2 wins and 1 loss, the Hurricanes are the team in better form and should carve up the Brumbies.

Highlanders vs Stormers
After three away games the Highlanders will finally play their first home game of the season. The Highlanders’ tour of Australia and South Africa can hardly be considered a successful one with their only win coming against the Force back in Week 1. The Stormers have also only registered one win this season, coming last week when they beat the Chiefs in Cape Town.

Only one man in the Highlanders squad is capable of turning around their season: Nick Evans, and he is yet to play a single game. But even without Evans the Highlanders should be more than a match for the Stormers, who traditionally do not play well away from home.

Blues vs Reds
Although the Blues lost their undefeated record last weekend, they are still clearly one of the best teams in the tournament. With former All Black Ben Atinga returning to the line up, the Blues already powerful back line got even better. The Reds, however, are a team in trouble. After a good first round win, the Reds have lost their last two outings, including the lowest scoring game in Super Rugby history last weekend. Added to the lack of form is the loss of key players, prop Greg Holmes to injury and Lloyd Johansen to suspension.

Last weekend saw the Reds on the wrong end of some poor refereeing, and coach Eddie Jones was fined A$10,000 for pointing this out. However, even without help from the referee the Blues have too much firepower for the Reds.

Force vs Lions
At the beginning of the season these two teams were picked to be fighting it out for last place. Both teams have 2 wins and 1 loss records and have beaten some tough opposition. Last weekend saw the Lions grind out a win over the defending champion Crusaders, while the Force continued their winning ways against a good Bulls team.

Oddly enough, the Force have never won a home game in Super 14 rugby, but with both teams making the long flight from South Africa to Perth this week, home advantage may not be a big advantage. Force winger Cameron Shepherd has been the find of the season so far, scoring all but 5 of the Force’s 30 points against the Bulls last weekend. Big money signing Matt Giteau is starting to slot in well at first five, despite it not being his prefered position.

The Lions are not quite as good as their record indicates, having beaten the struggling Highlanders and a below par Crusaders. The Force should finally score their first home win this weekend.

Bulls vs Chiefs
Even with the return of lock Keith Robinson and fringe All Black Sione Lauaki, the Chiefs’ semi finals hopes are all but gone. With no wins from three games, the Chiefs have been the biggest disappointment of the season so far. Poor decision making by key players and handling errors have all contributed to the Chiefs’ woes this season.

Poor decision making also featured in the Bulls’ loss to the Force last weekend. With 5 minutes to play Bulls’ captain Viktor Matfield inexplicably turned down three chances to level the scores, ultimately costing his team the match. However, Matfield will have learned from his error and will likely take every shot at goal offered. With the Bulls’ massive forward pack, dominating the out of sorts Chiefs will be easy and a comfortable win should get the Bulls’ season back on track.

Cheetahs vs Crusaders
Would the real Crusaders please stand up? The team who played last week against the Lions might have been wearing Crusaders’ shirts, but they played nothing like the Crusaders. The Crusaders’ stated goal for this three game tour of South Africa was to win at least two games, with next week’s opponent the unbeaten Sharks, a good win is vital for the defending champions.

In the first half of last week’s game the Cheetahs put the Waratahs to the sword, dominating every facet of the game, but then fell away in the second half. The Crusaders often win their games in the last quarter, so if they can stay close to the Cheetahs they are in with a chance. But if they play as badly as they did last week, the Cheetahs will score a big win. Fully deserving of their current second place on the table, the Cheetahs should deal to the out of sorts champs, but losing two in a row is not the Crusaders’ style. This game will most likely be decided by less than 5 points.

The Super 14 rolls into week three on the back of some much improved play – but still has a long way to go. This weekend’s round also sees no Friday night game being played in New Zealand and all 5 South African teams playing home games.

With the entire Super 14 pack still very tightly bunched, points this weekend will be very precious. No one team has really stamped their mark on this year’s competition yet, and while the Sharks and Blues are unbeaten, neither team has looked a great deal better than their opposition.

Stormers vs Chiefs
Week 3 opens with a battle of the winless teams. The Stormers are yet to register a competition point or score a try, while the Chiefs are not completely out of contention having score 3 bonus points in their two games. Both teams face an uphill battle from this point if they hope to secure a semi final berth.

The Chiefs are a team that has been ravaged by injury. Flying winger Soseni Anesi is out for the rest of the competition with 2 broken vertebrae in his neck, captain Jono Gibbs will miss several weeks with a calf tear and first choice players Richard Kahui, Sione Lauaki and Keith Robinson still haven’t recovered from preseason injuries.

For the last two weeks the Chiefs could have won if only they had taken their chances, but the Stormers have been awful. On a wet night in Cape Town last week the Stormers failed to adapt to the slippery conditions and ultimately were well beaten by the Western Force.

This game is likely to be ugly with two teams struggling for form. However even with all their injuries the Chiefs should still be able to win this match.

Bulls vs Force
Like most of the Super 14 teams, both the Bulls and Force have a win and a loss to their names this season. However, the quality of opposition so far has been greatly different. The Force lost at home to a sub standard Highlanders team, then went on to beat an even worse Stormers team in Cape Town, while the Bulls lost to current front runners the Sharks away from home before muscling up to beat the Cheetahs in Pretoria.

Force playmaker James Hilgendorf is still out with a groin injury, so once again Matt Giteau will play at first five. Last week Giteau looked good in this role, but will have far less time to make decisions against the monstrous Bulls’ forward pack. The loss of game breaking winger Brian Habana will hurt the Bulls abilities out wide, but their strengths lie with their forward pack and the kicking game of first five Morne Steyn.

Beating the Bulls in Pretoria usually requires teams to dive into the trenches and win the war against the Bulls’ forwards, something the Force pack simply cannot do. Bulls to win comfortably.

Hurricanes vs Blues
The only match to be played in New Zealand this round is an all New Zealand affair from Wellington. The Blues are one of only two unbeaten teams in the tournament with a good win against the defending champions Crusaders in week 1, followed up by their last second victory against the Brumbies last week. The Hurricanes improved greatly from their first up loss to the Reds to beat the Chiefs last weekend in Hamilton.

Both teams go into this game with few injury worries, Hurricanes’ captain Conrad Smith remains sidelined with an eye injury but former All Black captain Tana Umaga has filled Smith’s role well.

The Blues showed a great deal of grit to beat the Brumbies in pouring rain. By contrast the Hurricanes’ flair of old was back against the Chiefs. With good weather forecast for this game, both teams should be able to play their natural games which will make for an excellent spectacle.

The Blues played well in all areas of the game in their last outing, while the Hurricanes need to improve their defense in close to have any chance in this game. I’m picking a Hurricanes’ win.

Red vs Brumbies
This all Australian affair is about all about pride – state pride, player’s pride and the pride of former Brumbies’ coach and current Reds’ coach Eddie Jones. As well as pride being on the line, Super 14 points are vital for both teams’ confidence.

The Brumbies have narrowly beat the luckless Chiefs and then suffered a last minute loss to the Blues, in both games the Brumbies have failed to look like a team that has won two Super Rugby titles. The return of playmaker Stephen Larkham seemed to hurt more than it helped as Larkham looks to have lost confidence to run with the ball, something stand in Julian Huxley did well against the Chiefs.

A home win against the Hurricanes got the season off to a good start for the Reds, but last week in Christchurch the Crusaders were too good for them. Injuries have been avoided by all key Reds players so far and league convert Clinton Schifcofske is already the pick of the off seasons signings. Schifcofske has so far proven to be an excellent goal kicker, a solid full back and a counter attacking threat. If he continues to improve a Wallabies’ jersey is no far away for him.

This match will be won off the field, not on it. The brilliant mind of Eddie Jones will give the Reds the edge, Jones knows the Brumbies’ weaknesses and will instruct his players to exploit them. Reds win in an upset.

Cheetahs vs Waratahs
The Cheetahs are yet another team that has played well so far this season but failed to turn chances into points and are suffering for it. The Waratahs have looked like a team that spent the off season on the beach rather than training, struggling to beat the Lions and then meekly rolled over against the Sharks in week 2.

When the Cheetahs have everyone on the same page they are a force to be reckoned with,  however, much like the Hurricanes they are a confidence team. If the Waratahs have a little luck early on and catch the Cheetahs with their heads down, they are in with a chance. But there’s an old saying in sports, “You’ve got to be lucky to be good, and you’ve got to be good to be lucky.” Cheetahs pull off an easy win.

Lions vs Crusaders
Despite a win last week against the Highlanders, this is a Lions team that will struggle throughout the Super 14. Last week’s win may have given them a boost in confidence but this is a team who will not come close to the defending champion Crusaders.

Looking more like the Crusaders of old against the Reds, the Crusaders scored 5 tries and broke the line regularly. Against the Lions they will break the line even more. Stephen Brett showed his class last week directing a back line that is now starting the gel together and kicking goals. Rua Tipoki provides the Crusaders an experienced mid field player and has played well since his move to second five.

The Lions took their one and only real chance in an awful game with the Highlanders. The notoriously stingy Crusaders will likely not even provide that as they hand the Lions their second loss of the season.

Sharks vs Highlanders
Can the Sharks keep their unbeaten record intact? Almost certainly yes. The Highlanders, who are only fielding local players this season due to financial restraints, have only scored one try in their first two games. The Sharks have conceeded none.

Stand out Highlanders’ forwards Josh Blackie and James Ryan are really the only things the Highlanders have going for them. With play maker Nick Evans back in New Zealand healing up his injured knee the Highlanders’ back line has been without direction.

The Sharks by contrast have been ruthlessly efficient in all facets of the game, dispatching the Bulls and Waratahs easily. The Highlanders are unlikely to test the Sharks much this week and a win will see the Sharks stay at the top of the table. The real test for the Sharks this season will come after their first 5 games, all at home, during their tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Week 2 is over and the Super 14 is finally showing signs of actually being super. After a decidedly average opening weekend, the second weekend of Super Rugby provided some upsets, some excellent games and some terrible weather.

The Sharks and Blues both top the table as the only unbeaten teams, while the Chiefs and Stormers are yet to win – in fact the Stormers are yet to score a try. The luckless Chiefs have also lost two more key players with inspirational captain Jono Gibbs out with a torn calf muscle and the speedy Soseni Anesi hospitalized with a neck injury.

Chiefs 32 Hurricanes 39

The round opened in Hamilton with two New Zealand teams looking to record their first wins of the season. In a game that featured some brilliant attacking and blown chances, the Hurricanes came away with the win. After an early try to halfback Alby Matthewson put the Hurricanes in the lead, the Chiefs twice dropped the ball with the line open and had another try ruled out after the last pass floated forward. The Chiefs finally did answer through halfback Brendon Leonard. After Hurricanes’ Serge Lilo and Chiefs’ Liam Messam traded tries, the Chiefs looked to be going into the half time break up 15-14, however an ill directed pass from stand in captain Stephen Bates was scooped up by Hurricanes’ winger Ma’a Nonu who ran 40 metres to score, giving the Hurricanes a 19-15 half time advantage.

The second half scoring began with a long range penalty goal by the Chiefs’ Stephen Donald before Hurricanes’ captain Tana Umaga scored the first bonus point try of the season. At the 54 minute mark the Hurricanes looked to have wrapped the game up when Hosea Gear made a clean break and set up Umaga for what should have been his second try of the match. Instead Umaga dropped the ball while attempting to ground it. Chiefs’ winger Roy Kininilau struck back almost immediately with a try in the corner, finishing off a well worked back line move. After a Jimmy Gopperth penalty goal stretched the Hurricanes’ lead to 4 point, the Chiefs scored again, this time hooker Tom Willis driving over in a rolling maul. Another Gopperth penalty leveled the scores before Hurricanes’ lock Paul Tito’s try sealed the match for the Hurricanes.

Stormers 3 Force 22

The Western Force racked up their second win in franchise history as they beat the woeful Stormers on a wet Cape Town evening. League convert Ryan Cross scored the only try of the match for the Force, while Cameron Shepherd kicked 5 penalty goals and a conversion for a 17 point haul on the night. Stormer’s first five Naas Oliver scored the only points for his side with a second half penalty as the rain intensified. Both teams were guilty of a lot of handling errors as the rain made the ball and footing extremely slippery.

Sharks 22 Waratahs 9

The Sharks racked up their second home win of the season to go to the top of the table as one of only two teams left unbeaten. In the oppressive heat and humidity of Durban, this match threatened to go tryless. The only try of the match was scored by Sharks’ first five Butch James at the 77 minute mark as the Waratahs desperately counterattacked. Down by only 9-15 late in the game Waratahs’ winger Lote Tuqiri attempted a chip and chase which back fired leading to the James try. It was the only time the Sharks really threatened the Waratahs’ line in the entire match. Waratah’s goal kicker Peter Hewat kicked only 3 goals from his 7 attempts.

Crusaders 33 Reds 22

In what was easily the best game of the round the Crusaders came back from last week’s loss to beat a valiant Reds team. The Crusaders’ defense improved greatly over last week’s effort, at one stage defending for 21 phases before forcing at turn over. The Reds conservative game plan worked well against the Hurricanes last week, but against the Crusaders’ wall like defense the Reds were unable to adapt.

Crusaders’ rookie first five Stephen Brett opened the scoring with a try from a clean break close to the line. Another midfield break setup lock Ross Filipo for the Crusaders’ second try of the evening. The Reds finally got on the scoreboard five minutes before half time with a try from a line out drive by prop Greg Holmes. A penalty from Clinton Schifcofske just before the break made the score 14-8 at half time. Two more Schicofske penalties early in the second half leveled the score before Reds’ winger Peter Hynds was gifted a try after an ill directed kick by Rico Gear. The Crusaders fought back and scored mid way through the half when Number 8 Mose Tuiali’i crashed over after a quick tap penalty. Schicofske retook the lead for the Reds with another penalty goal, but late tries to Scott Hamilton and Brent Ward secured the Crusaders’ first victory of the season.

Brumbies 15 Blues 17

The Blues stole victory with a conversion after the final hooter to beat the Brumbies in a rain soaked Canberra. With thunder booming overhead as the game got underway, it was soon clear that conditions would not allow the open running rugby fans have come to expect from both sides.

As Brumbies’ fullback Julian Huxley attempted his first shot at goal the stadium was lit up by a lightning flash and Huxley’s kick sailed wide. Returning All Black Luke McAlister set up the first half’s only try, scored by Blues’ first five Isa Nacewa, while Huxley kicked three penalties to give the Brumbies a 9-7 half time lead. As conditions steadily worsened thoughout the second half, the teams traded penalty goals, then Huxley added another to put the Brumbies up by 15-10. Brumbies’ first five Stephan Larkham had a chance to put the game beyond doubt with a drop goal attempt, but hit the crossbar. With less than a minute to play Brumbies’ captain Alister Campbell was sin binned for a professional foul. From the ensuing penalty the Blues kicked to touch, won the line out and drove over for prop Simone Taumoepeau to score a try which levelled the scores. After the hooter sounded and amid boos from the home fans, Nacewa kicked the sideline conversion to give the Blues an unlikely victory.

Bull 24 Cheetahs 20

The Bulls pack dominated up front and helped their side win their first game of the 2007 Super 14. Outscoring the Cheetahs by 3 tries to 2 the Bulls were always in charge and the final scoreline is not really a fair reflection of the Bulls’ dominance. The Bulls scored the only try of the first half when prop Wessel Roux crashed over, and led 7-6 at the break. Bulls winger Bryan Habana scored early in the second half, then promply left the field injured. After CJ van der Linde galloped 50 metres to score for the Cheetahs, replacement Jaco Engels put the game beyond doubt, scoring the Bulls’ third try. Eddie Freddricks scored a late consolation try for the Cheetahs.

Lions 11 Highlanders 6

The Lions scored the game’s only try in a decidedly un-”Super” encounter in Johanesburg. Lions winger Wylie Human charged down a clearing kick and sprinted 40 metres unopposed to score. The rest of the game’s points came from the goalkickers, Louis Strydom kicking two penalties for the Lions and Callum Bruce and Charlie Hore kicking one each for the Highlanders. Despite playing in a pack that was on the back foot for most of the game, Highlanders’ captain Josh Blackie once again shone in an otherwise uninspiring game.