How the tables turned on so many in round 10 of the Super 14 - for better and worse.

The third placed Waratahs, despite their coaching issues, have started to hit their straps when it counts - at the pointy end of the season.

But the hard yards are not behind them, especially as they face the second-placed Sharks in Sydney on Saturday.

However, with the returns from injury of backrower Rocky Elsom and back Timana Tahu imminent, they will go into the game - with or without them - full of promise that will have full playing stocks for their South African tour.

The Reds, meanwhile, have shown they are not a side to be taken lightly with their win over the Force in Brisbane last Friday night. Whatever happens this week against the Chiefs, they have set the platform for hope next year.

As for the Brumbies, like last year they are once again keeping their hoofs in pace with the semi-final contenders - but just. Memories of last season's unprecedented six-from-six winning run at the end of the tournament will come flooding back - but with the message being that wins alone won't bag a semi berth. They need bonus points too.

The Force? After so much promise and hope with successful tours to South Africa and New Zealand, the retrospection might as well begin, with them and the Bulls facing a "good" bye round.

WARATAHS
In the news: Attack coach Todd Louden signs with Japanese club Ricoh to pull out of the race for NSW head coaching position. Meanwhile, incumbent Ewen McKenzie firms as favourite for the Stade Francais job.

Physio's table: Will Caldwell (head knock) will be okay to play. Rocky Elsom (quad strain) and Timana Tahu (hamstring) are possible inclusions. Ben Jacobs (knee, season), Dave Dennis (knee)

The good: Waratahs are on a roll and can sniff the possibility of a home semi-final with a win against the Sharks which, otherwise, will be their last at home for the season - and for McKenzie as the Waratahs head coach.

The bad: Against the Sharks, they can't afford the error rate like the one that cruelled their first half against the Lions.

REDS
In the news: Morgan Turinui watch - can he produce a back-to-back match winning game against the Chiefs?

Physio's table: Sam Cordingley (calf) fails to pass fitness test despite hopes he might. But Digby Ioane (fractured finger) returns on the bench. Greg Holmes (knee, out 3 more weeks), Chris Latham (knee, out 4 weeks).

The good: Having beaten the Force they will know anything is possible. Prop Rodney Blake's recall to the starting side will provide much needed grunt for their game against the Chiefs at Hamilton. James Horwill's captaincy and game last week provides reassuring leadership and promise for the future, let alone for this tough away round.

The bad: Against the in-form Chiefs the challenge can't be harder - especially after their win over Crusaders.

BRUMBIES
In the news: Once again the Brumbies find themselves hanging in the finals race - but by a thread.

Physio's table: Captain Stirling Mortlock (concussion from Blues win) should be available to play.

The good: With Mortlock cleared and the Brumbies having beaten the previously undefeated Sharks last week, the Canberra side won't be short of self-confidence against the bottom-placed Lions.

The bad: The Lions showed against NSW last week that they can't be underestimated. Their massive and strong pack should also be up for the task against the Brumbies forwards who were exposed in set pieces last week.

FORCE
In the news: Life without Matt Giteau ... as predicted, questions were asked and answered. The analysis will continue as the Perth side goes into its bye round with the prospect they will be out of semi-finals contention by Sunday.

Physio's table: Matt Giteau (concussion) - would be okay to play if it wasn't a bye round, but the rest will do him good.

The good: All that can come from a bye round - the rest.

The bad: All that can come from a bye round - seeing the gap widen between you and the semi contenders.

Toby Robson of The Dominion Post writes:

HURRICANES

In the news: Jerry Collins proved he is human and succumbed to bruised ribs (but only when he found the injury was stopping him breathing).

Physio's table: Collins (bruised ribs), at least a week;

The good: Andrew Hore and Chris Masoe are in the form of their lives, Conrad Smith has rediscovered his mojo at centre and wing Zac Guildford made a good fist of his debut. Despite losing to the Stormers, the Canes are individually hitting form at the right end of the season.

The bad: Rodney So'oialo replaced his hands with wooden replicas for the Stormers match, Jimmy Gopperth missed two crucial goal kicks, and Piri Weepu chose a strange time to prove he could tap-kick a ball over his own head.

CRUSADERS

In the news: Locks Ali Williams and Ross Filipo relive their childhood as Spiderman and The Phantom, but deny they still collect rare comics and stamps or play Dungeons and Dragons together.

Physio's table: Casey Laulala (concussion), Dan Carter (high ankle strain).

The good: A loss is probably what the Cantabs needed to rev them up for the Blues this week. Stephen Brett may have been scratchy after his injury layoff, but he got through 80 minutes.

The bad: Finally, something to fill this spot. Skipper Richie McCaw looked jaded against the Chiefs and is being counselled this week after suffering from recurring Sione Lauaki nightmares.

CHIEFS

In the news: A convoy of trucks carrying RTDs into Hamilton for the V8 street race didn't stop 25,000 getting to the Chiefs-Crusaders game and hairdressers reported booming trade after offering half-price mullets for rugby or motorsport fans.

Physio's table: Jono Gibbes (knee/hamstring strain), day to day. Oh let's be honest, it's minute to minute with Jono.

The good: Where do you start? A capacity crowd, a win against the Crusaders, a rock-solid defence led by a rejuvenated Sione Lauaki, a brilliant performance from openside Tanerau Latimer and a blinder from first-five Stephen Donald.

The bad: Half the population of Hamilton are now sporting mullets (pronounced Mu-Lays) after their dream weekend of V8s and rugby in the Tron.

BLUES

In the news: Isa Nacewa escapes, I mean signs, with Leinster for next season.

Physio's table: George Pisi (hamstring), next week; Tom McCartney (hamstring), next week; Joe Rokocoko (wrist surgery), recovery time unknown.

The good: Former Hurricanes wing David Smith is found alive and well in Auckland.

The bad: "We've got a lot of confidence in David, so there has been no suggestion of [change] at all," said Blues chief executive Andy Dalton. Enough said.

HIGHLANDERS

In the news: Highlanders coach Glenn Moore says he can "build something special" if the current team remains together in coming seasons.

Physio's table: Daniel Bowden (concussion), returning home; Steven Setephano (calf), day to day.

The good: "The 47-16 loss to the Bulls had a silver lining guys," Moore's team talk this week. "It was 35-3 with 17 minutes to go, so we won the last quarter 13-7, right? Are you with me?" Should that have been, The bad?

The bad: The Highlanders have added "bad timing" to their already well-known "bad luck" after the Bulls rediscovered their form just in time to welcome them to Pretoria.

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH

In the news: The Stormers' win against the Hurricanes came at a cost with wing Tonderai Chavhanga pulling his hamstring and prop JD Moller being ruled out for the season with a dislocated shoulder.

"Stupid", Sharks coach Dick Muir's description of his side blowing an 18-7 halftime lead against the Brumbies.

"We know where we are going and we are definitely not in crisis," Blue Bulls Company chief executive Barend Van Graan defends the team's record before it thrashes the Highlanders.

Pick of the bunch: The Stormers are on a roll with a three- game winning streak and with loose forwards Schalk Burger and Luke Watson firing.