Super12 2002 - Round Three

A great weekend for all three Aussie teams in Round Two, with the Brumbies and Waratahs sitting at the top of the table. On paper and on form to date, Round Three promises another three victories, as our teams play the bottom three teams in the competition. But if Super12 history has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected.

Brumbies v Sharks

The Brumbies were simply awesome against the Cats, and based on the drubbing they received against the Highlanders, I would expect that the Sharks may suffer a similar fate at Canberra Stadium this weekend. Like the Cats and the Stormers, the Sharks are missing key players through injury, and will probably struggle to compete with the Brumbies' pace and structure. In a replay of last year's final, I would expect a similarly emphatic result to the home team.

Brumbies by 30.

Reds v Chiefs

The Reds have had one of their promising starts in recent years, and will be buoyed by a hard fought victory over the highly rated Auckland Blues in Round Two. The Chiefs look set to vie for the wooden spoon this year, and based on their two losses to date, I think that the Reds will send them to their third straight loss in the competition. It will be interesting to see how Wendell Sailor plays in a match which should provide him with more opportunities to run with the ball in hand in open space.

Reds by 20.

Bulls v Waratahs

The Waratahs will need to up the intensity at altitude and against an already-desperate Northern Bulls, who are due for a win at home. Victory here for the Waratahs would set them up for a very promising season. A defeat would not be the end of the world, but would certainly impede much of the momentum which they have built up thus far this year. Without question, something has to be done about the line-out, which was woeful for much of the match against the Stormers. And injury is a major concern, with question marks over Matt Burke (flu), Chris Whitaker (finger), and Phil Waugh (ankle). And, unfortunately, promising backrower Jone Tawake has had to return to Sydney for surgery on his thumb which will see him out for a month. His place in the squad will be taken by Drew Hickey. These injuries notwithstanding, the Waratahs should still be too fit and too organised for the Bulls.

Oh, and is it just me or does it look like a number of the Waratahs' backs have taken to wearing jumpers that are a couple of sizes too small???

Waratahs by 14.

- Dan Fowell