Every team in the Super 14 faces a crucial game this week in round 10 - even the Blues and Cheetah, considering the bye round which they face nearly always costs a side one place on the ladder.
Australia is again poised for another derby between the Force and Reds which is fancied to see the West Australians win, but opportunity for the Queenslanders has opened with Matt Giteau's absence due to concussion.
That it is a must-win game for the Force to keep their finals hopes alive but it will also add pressure though. The Reds also have nothing to lose, and all to gain with Wallabies spots up for grabs and with the game being played in Brisbane.
The Brumbies have this week joined the Waratahs in seeing their coach told he won't be kept on after the season.
In light of the Waratahs successes since Ewen McKenzie departure from NSW was announced, don't be surprised to see some tip the Brumbies to respond to Laurie Fisher's demise as coach with an upset win over the Sharks.
As for the Waratahs? Victory should be theirs' against the Lions ... but then should is a dirty word in the Super 14 dictionary.
WARATAHS
In the news: Coach Ewen McKenzie has been away in Paris
for his coaching job interview with Stade Francais. How will the
Tahs play against the cellar dweller Lions on Saturday after he
rejoins them on Thursday?
Physio's table: Phil Waugh (knee) and Tom Carter (concussion) likely to play. Rocky Elsom (quad strain, out 3-5 weeks), Ben Jacobs (knee, out all season), Timana Tahu (hamstring, out 2 more weeks), Dave Dennis (knee)
The good: Win and rock solid defence over Force has set up for Tahs for a finals run. Teenager Rob Horne lived up to every promise with his debut start, playing at outside and then inside centre. Lote Tuqiri had a blinder.
The bad: Discipline lapse at end of first half. Penalties given to Force cost them points and kept them in the game.
REDS
In the news: Second rower James Horwill is named as their
fourth captain in six weeks and will lead them against the Force on
Friday for what they hope - or may be better to pray - will be
their first derby win in two years.
Physio's table: Greg Holmes (knee, out 4 more weeks), Chris Latham (knee, out 5 weeks) Sam Cordingley (calf muscle, out 1 week), Digby Ioane (fractured finger/ possibly out for 4 more weeks).
The good: Coming off the bye, they will at least be able to play knowing they have had a rest!
The bad: Coming off the bye, they may end feel that they have lost their momentum of week-in, week out footy.
BRUMBIES
In the news: After Laurie Fisher fails to keep his job,
will the bookies tip them as favourites to beat the Sharks?
Physio's table: Captain Stirling Mortlock (concussion from Blues win) has been declared available to play.
The good: The Sharks are unbeaten and placed second after nine rounds, but their shaky win against the Highlanders hints they may be poised for a loss - especially when away as they will be against the Brumbies. Win over the Blues in Auckland last weekend would also have also boosted their confidence.
The bad: Maybe not "bad" but the Brumbies forwards will be seriously tested by the Sharks on Saturday.
FORCE
In the news: Life without Matt Giteau ... questions will
be asked all week, and answered on Saturday. Indications are that
it isn't all bad, in light of lachlan MacKay's strong showing when
he replaced Giteau against the Waratahs.
Physio's table: Matt Giteau (concussion, out one week plus a bye), Cameron Shepherd (elbow) available.
The good: Their attacking game has greater potential to penetrate the Reds's defence than the Waratahs. With it being a must-win game and it should inspire them to throw everything plus the kitchen sink at the Reds.
The bad: How strong is their confidence from their loss to Waratahs - or the way that they lost? If it is a team running on empty, their bye round - scheduled for next week - may prove to be coming one week too late.
Toby Robson of the Dominion Post writes:
HURRICANES
In the news: All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith says Ma'a Nonu is better suited to the midfield and after his performance at second-five in Pretoria, who can argue.
Physio's table: None.
The good: Nonu's return to the midfield may just be the missing piece of this sometimes jumbled puzzle. The big fella added the punch that has been missing all season and centre Conrad Smith and the rest of the backs suddenly came into their own. Chris Masoe also on fire.
The bad: Cory Jane bounced back to his best, but signing his name in the air after his try doesn't make my all-time list of best scoring celebrations. Now, Brendon "Chainsaw" Laney, Paul "Six- shooter" Cooke, and Romi "pull your hammy doing a karate kick" Ropati, those were class.
CRUSADERS
In the news: Andy Ellis brings the NFL to the Super 14 with the dive of the year over a ruck to finish another brilliant team try.
Physio's table: Reuben Thorne (chipped knuckle, ouch!), four weeks; Dan Carter (ankle) aiming for round 14 v Highlanders, Leon MacDonald (thigh muscle tear), 50-50 for next game.
The good: Even with unknown Hamish Gard at first-five the Crusaders kick ass. And Stephen Brett is expected back from injury this week.
The bad: Trailing the Lions 6-3 at halftime. Unacceptable!
BLUES
In the news: Joe Rokocoko's wrist doesn't hurt and isn't stopping him playing, but he has surgery anyway. It goes well, but he's now out for the season. Hmmmm.
Physio's table: Coach David Nucifora has a brain strain.
The good: Only on paper.
The bad: How you take a group of gifted players and make them so predictable is beyond belief. "The attention to detail was spot on. We analysed the Blues' game so well we knew they would come at us physically and they did." – Brumbies No 8 Julian Salvi. Nucifora needs to realise New Zealand players are not as robotic as those from the Brumbies.
CHIEFS
In the news: Coach Ian Foster praises unheralded second-five Callum Bruce for the way he has filled the void left by incumbent Tasesa Lavea who suffered a serious pre-season injury.
Physio's table: Jono Gibbes (knee strain), Brendon Leonard (bruised knee), Simms Davison (gluteus strain), yes, that means bum strain.
The good: Fullback Mils Muliaina is back training. The Chiefs are riding a huge confidence high coming off the bye and if they are going to knock over the Crusaders, this could be as good a chance as any.
The bad: As if there weren't enough boy racers already, the V8s are invading the Tron. It will be interesting to see who causes more damage, the Crusaders or the V8 fans. The Chiefs dropped from fourth to eighth place during their bye week.
HIGHLANDERS
In the news: First-five James Wilson is the latest victim of the Highlanders' hex, his potential match-winner against the Sharks hitting the posts.
Physio's table: Alando Soakai (broken nose), Steven Setephano (calf), both expected to be fit this week.
The good: Ironically the Highlanders are looking more confident by the week. Several of their young players have found their feet at this level. Provided the hex stays in Dunedin, they just might win in Pretoria.
The bad: Still not quite experienced enough to close out the close ones. Definitely let a win go begging against the Sharks.
SOUTH AFRICA WATCH
In the news: Sharks captain Johann Muller has a burst eardrum and may miss the Brumbies match. Former Aussie coach and Springboks technical adviser Eddie Jones goes into camp with the Bulls, but it makes no difference as they concede 50 points to the Hurricanes. South African media use all their imagination to dub the matchup between Stormers wing Tonderai Chavhanga and Cheetahs opposite Jongi Nokwe, wait for it, "the speed showdown".
Pick of the bunch: What a contrast for a Wellingtonian to see the passion in the stands as the Stormers rolled over the Cheetahs at Newlands. I remember the good old days when Westpac Stadium . . . am I that old?
