If it ever let's me login to the site my username will be MyNameIsJoe - terrible bloody username but I can't think of anything "cool".

Anyway, Highlanders to lose narrowly to the Blues in the dying minutes of a final marred by a controversial call by a Cantab ref.

username: squirejp

1. Blues
2. Crusaders
3. Warratahs
4. Brumbies

go the cheifs :)
.......i wish

Final Four: Crusaders, ACT, Blues, Cats

The Cats have made some clever off-season buys - watch out! (even tho I hate em!)

My user name is: Carlito (aka Carlos)

PS - Merthens is a pussy. Sure he might be a good kicker, average passer, tactical genius - but is there room in rugby at the highest level for a pussy? I mean really great thinkers of the game of soccer don't make a soccer team if half their game is lacking.

Carlos is the incumbent firsy-five.

And before all the Merthens fans (most in the area usually) hark in with their knee jerk reactions about how he's tougher than bla bla bla - remember that he's in The All Blacks - I mean..................

Oh God I'm bored of rugby, when's the cricket on!?

Bring on the NRL! lol

I scored only 23. Those South African games were crazy.

Crusaders v. Hurricanes
Jade Stadium, Christchurch
Fri 21 Feb, 2003
Final Score: 37-21

"I've never seen so many grown men walking about a stadium with polystyrene swords!" Murray Mexted pointed out before kick-off. Like you'd see polystyrene swords at lots of grounds around the world, but just not in such great numbers. My dad had arrived in Welly for the weekend to spend some time with the grandsons, and he'd brought up a couple of said swords, which were waved vigorously at the appropriate moments as we took up our positions in beanbags around the live Sky feed from the old home town.

It was a fairly parochial performance from the commentary team, made up as it was of a trio of Wellingtonians (Muzza, Nizbo and JP), who, like Wellingtonians everywhere, were full of hope for their beloved team, even in face of a potential drubbing from the well-rested, sun-tanned, and, it must be said, generally better groomed Crusaders side.

Such hopes would have been sorely teased by a rousing first half performance from the men in the bumble-bee colours. They came out all guns firing, and kept the ball in hand for multiple phases in the first five minutes, even threatening to make a foray into the Canterbury half at one point. Finally bereft of players who wanted to smash their heads into the brick wall of Canterbury defenders, Flutey was forced to kick, resulting, eventually, in a typically ruthless try that saw Marshall chip, Chris Jack recover with those telescopic arms of his, then the ball moved in slippery-soap fashion out through the backline for Caleb Ralph to finish in the corner.

On another night the floodgates might have opened, and a drubbing of Warratahs proportions might have been on the cards, but tonight, with a few players minds still on the beach, the 'Canes were allowed a sniff of a close contest. Nathan Mauger went off with a rolled ankle, and Mehrtens came on, probably not the happiest chappy in the world, having assumed he was going to be allowed another week for his wispy sideburns to get some substance before coming under the glare of the cameras.

This led to the odd situation of having three potential first-five eighths playing in the inside backs, and, while A. Mauger, Carter & Mehrts discussed just who was going to play where, Tana Umaga wandered through the vacant area, fended off the cover tackle from Greg Feek (with a fantastic straight arm to the chest), then set up Maa Nonu for the try. Tana, he's all style, even in a losing outfit.

A couple of random penalties before half-time, and things weren't looking too bad for the 'Canes. Only down 11-8 at the break (although it should have been 14-8, A.Mauger having missed a droppy he normally would have sneezed over: dead in front, 15 metres out, pulled it wide).

It looked even better for the 'Canes after the break, when Flutey levelled things up with a penalty, and there was the distinct sniff of an upset in the air. The red and blacks were having none of it though, and the Crusaders scrum finally woke up, and sent the 'Canes forwards crying for their mummys -- rolling them off their own scrum feed like, and then setting the platform for a simple Aaron Mauger try.

From there, despite valiant attempts from some of the 'Canes (Ormsby, in particular, who made a great run and won a penalty by convincing the ref that Leon McDonald was holding on too long, when, in fact, Ormsby had pinned the ball to McDonald's side), it was all Crusaders, albeit not the vintage variety. The defence was there, and the 'Canes struggled to make any ground at all when they had the ball in hand, and, as a result of the defensive pressure, Carter counter-attacked through the tired Hurricane's pack to set up Vunibaka in the corner, and then, only minutes later, charged down a slo-mo Holwell clearance to score himself.

The Canes snuck one back with a set move that started with a throw so crooked that Mark Hammet was still arguing with the linesman about it when the man he was supposed to be marking (Welly hooker Joe Ward) dotted (or one might say crashed) down unopposed. Play the whistle Mark!

But it was fresh-faced Daniel Carter who had the last word, when Christian Cullen tried a wee chip and chase, only to watch it fall to the new boy, who turned, stepped Cully, then dashed 50 metres straight down the middle for a try under the posts.

So, yes, a Crusaders win, and they'll only get better. Plenty of hope for the 'Canes though, who looked capable of giving the big boys a run for their money, and, even better, went a whole game without anyone getting binned or sent off. Any of you 'Canes fans missing Dion Waller?

What did you guys go for this week?

Stormers Vs Hurricanes - Stormers by 1 -12 Stormers are looking strong, the Hurricanes can't finish.
Highlanders Vs Bulls - Highlanders by 13+ Highlanders should continue the big scoring margins.
Cats Vs Brumbies - Brumbies by 1 - 12 Brumbies are just comming right i think.
Chief Vs Reds - Chiefs by 1 - 12 Could go either way, but the Chief's turned it up last week.
Blues Vs Crusaders - Blues by 1-12 Crusaders have a few injuries, plus the Blues are on fire!
Sharks Vs Waratahs - Sharks by 1- 12 Sharks looked really good in the highlights i saw.

who is crusaders5thtitle?

this week: dust has an absolute shocker. joe continues to kick arse.