Super12 2002 - Round Five

In Sydney, the Waratahs will be looking to make it five from five against the Sharks, the last game of the visitors' horror road trip. And the Brumbies will need to improve considerably if they are to defeat the luckless Stormers at Newlands, a team that would be sharing a top-of-the-table position with the Brumbies if not for a drop goal here and a missed penalty goal there. To lose two games by one point is a bitter pill to swallow, especially when missing eight of your regular starters through injury.

Waratahs v Sharks

The Waratahs are entering an overconfidence danger zone, as this week they come up against an opponent which, on paper, they should whip. The Sharks have the dubious distinction of having the worst offensive record in the competition, and only their fellow cellar dwellers, the Cats, have conceded more points. Where the Waratahs are scoring an average of just over 40 points a game, the Sharks are scoring just 12. And where the Sharks are conceding 37 points a game, the Waratahs are allowing their opponents about 22 points (which, considering the quality of their opposition to date, is still far too high). The Sharks are capable of an upset, but this weekend will see them remain winless after a wretched opening five rounds of the competition.

Waratahs by 14.

Stormers v Brumbies

I severely overestimated the Brumbies going into their previous match (against the Bulls), and the Stormers are looking the best of the South African teams thus far (which, I concede, is not saying much). It's hard to tip against the Brumbies at the best of times, and though they are playing away from home in a city which has caused them considerable pain in the past, they will simply be too much for the Stormers to handle. Should the Stormers have had the likes of Bob Skinstad, Robbie Fleck, and Breyton Paulse available, this could quite well have been an even money bet. But they're not, and the Brumbies rarely play poorly two weeks in a row.

Brumbies by 12.

Reds

Bye.

The Rest

Buoyed by early season success in the tipping comp (15 from 17 so far), I'm going to start putting it on the line each week and endeavour to tip winners in matches not involving the Aussie teams.

So here goes:

* Hurricanes v Cats @ Wellington - Hurricanes by 14.

* Bulls v Highlanders @ Pretoria - Highlanders by 25.

* Blues v Chiefs @ Auckland - Blues by 10.

* Crusaders: Bye.

- Dan Fowell