Super12 - Round One

Chiefs v Waratahs

What a start for the Waratahs with a convincing win over the Chiefs and the first away game that NSW has won since 2000. Traditionally, NSW are good starters in the Super 12 competition (then die around the third or fourth game) and Saturday's game was no exception. They looked good! In fact, their performance was enough to lift their fan base considerably as the NSW fans are desperate for a Super12 winning side.

But how good were they? Were the Waratahs just too talented a team? Or did the Chiefs have an absolute shocker? I think a bit of both. NSW were strong with their set piece moves and encouraging in their defence, but they did make too many mistakes. The first half of the game was a credit to NSW, and they deserved to be in the commanding position going into the break. The second half was a lot more relaxed and certainly NSW let their game slip a bit. But it was wonderful to see that the Waratahs tried to dominate right until the fat lady sang, which is something that Australian teams (in the past) are not well known for.

To sum up: A wonderful start to a season that has more away games for the Waratahs than home games. Even though the Waratahs were the better of the two teams on Saturday, they didn't dominate the Chiefs like the Blues slaughtered the Hurricanes, and I think that the Waratahs will need to improve much more to be able to beat the powerhouses of the Super 12 (like the Brumbies and definitely Auckland - who looked awesome dammit).

It will be very interesting to see how the Waratahs go with their next two away games in South Africa (where Australian teams have a dreadful record - though less so the Brumbies). My heart tells me that NSW will pull off the near impossible three wins from three away games but my head says that they will lose the next two games in South Africa. My head got it wrong last week so there is hope for my heart for the next two.

For NSW:
* Burke - great to see him with more ball in hand (when he held on to it that is - he dropped it at least twice). I think this will be a strong year for Matt and I believe that the outside centre position will do wonders for his game. Matt Burke - you are my hero.

* Rogers - elusive. Good purchase! Future 5/8 for me!

* Nathan Grey - he is "the 100% man", to quote the NZ commentator.

* Dunning - welcome back the human keg on legs. Give him a Wallaby jersey.

* Waugh - a little quiet compared to last year. I think others are catching up to him and George Smith. I still think he is bloody brilliant.

* Big Fijian [Jone Tawake] - I don't know his name but I wouldn't want to tackle him (either did that Chiefs player who avoided even attempting a potential try-saving tackle).

For the Chiefs:
Nothing worth a mention really.

- Matt Sherlock

Brumbies v Reds

Rarely has a first round match generated such interest. A replay of last year's semifinal, and the most recent in a series of closely-fought contests between these two sides, it lived up to the hype. Indeed, this was an immensely entertaining game that was played at a surprisingly high standard considering most of these guys are still shrugging off some off-season cobwebs.

Considering the Reds have a reputation for starting the season slowly, it was a shock to seem them playing with no small amount of precision and flair in the first quarter. In fact, it appeared that the Brumbies were the most surprised of all. Toutai Kefu was all over the park, and Tune and Latham were wreaking havoc out wide - so it was no surprise when those two combined to score a thrilling length of the field try.

To their credit, the Brumbies did not wilt under the pressure, and gradually ramped up their offensive machine which then, in a dazzling display of multi-phase play, effectively starved the Reds of possession for the rest of the match. Gregan was, as ever, an inspiration around the field, and Larkham seemed to play with more purpose and to greater effect. And wasn't it good to see Jeremy Paul back on the field - he is an incredible player, and the heir apparent to Keith Wood as the premier rake in world rugby.

But what of Big Dell? Most would agree that his was a creditable performance under difficult circumstances, for defending against a Brumbies' offence that is specifically trying to find you out would be a nightmare for any provincial debutant - let alone one who has only played a handful of games in the code. Aside from a couple of lapses when under the high ball, he was competent in most respects. His defence, in particular, was extremely impressive, and we got a glimpse of Wendell in full flight when he barged down the sideline for what appeared a likely try, until Gregan rained on his parade.

I think most, however, would agree that it was another debutant who stole the show - Tim Atkinson, he of Sevens renown - who had an immediate impact when he came on to replace an injured Pat Howard. His skill on the burst with the ball in hand was breathtaking, and it would be fair to say that he is likely to be a force in the game in Australia over the next few years if he can continue to play to that high standard. Early days, but one to watch.

I think both teams will come away from this match with the feeling that their respective campaigns are, by an large, on track. The Reds, even in defeat, showed enough to suggest that Mark McBain's efforts to get Queensland to play a more free-spirited and expansive game seem to being coming to fruition. They will need to raise the bar even further against an inform Auckland at Ballymore this weekend. And the Brumbies, under new coach David Nucifora, will need to continue to produce peak performances in what is expected to be a very close competition.

- Dan Fowell