Super 14 TeamTalk

BY TOBY ROBSON

OPINION: Dominion Post rugby writer Toby Robson's weekly Super 14 rundown.

HURRICANES

In the news: Tamati Ellison ups stumps and heads to Japan, choosing Ricoh's printers, fax machines, digital cameras and advanced electronic devices over the chance to play for the All Blacks. Say what you like, but while some will be playing at the World Cup, Ellison will be experiencing the pure joy of the Aficio 2232C, 28 pages of full-colour printing per minute, standard duplexing, and 10/100 BaseT Industry Standard Network Interface.

Physio's table: Cory Jane (concussion).

The good: Jason Kawau turning out for Wests Roosters against Rimutaka in a pre-season match at Trentham Memorial No 3. And you thought professional rugby was all glamorous travel. Kawau couldn't travel to South Africa due to a sinus problem, that's now been fixed.

The bad: So much to say, so little space. Ma'a Nonu says rugby is boring without the big hits and tests his theory on Stormers first-five Peter Grant. Grant's not that excited, but Nonu's right. The tackle was exciting. So why was he cited again?

BLUES

In the news: It's the Blues' bye week but Luke McAlister still manages to break his nose at training. Does Luke need to seriously look at his tackling technique? The face-first approach didn't work in Sydney last year when he broke his cheekbone and now it's his beak. Shoulders and arms, Luke, shoulders and arms.

Physio's table: McAlister (broken snoz)

The good: The form of halfback Alby Mathewson (before the bye). With a fully fit squad (Ali Williams and McAlister aside), the Blues have four home games in the next five weeks to make a run up the table. Isaia Toeava, Anthony Tuitavake, George Pisi and Chris Lowrey all survived club rugby at the weekend and are available to play the Brumbies.

The bad: McAlister's luck since returning from Britain. Is McAlister walking proof that rugby's more difficult in the south than the north? Wonder how Chris Jack will go for the Crusaders this weekend.

CHIEFS

In the news: Tana Umaga signs with Counties-Manukau and immediately there are insinuations that he could play for the Chiefs in next year's Super 15. There is about as much chance as Umaga signing with the Steelers as a player/coach this year ... whatever!

Physio's table: Hika Elliott (hamstring).

The good: Has anyone else noticed how good No 8 Colin Bourke is? And was Stephen Donald's short ball to Richard Kahui the best of the competition to date? The bye's come at a good time for the Chiefs after back-to-back losses took the gloss of their South African tour success.

The bad: In yet another Sanzar judiciary debacle, Kahui's yellow card from round two will remain on his record despite video evidence clearly showing it was a case of mistaken identity, with team-mate Tim Nanai-Wililams making the dangerous tackle. "Apparently once they're there you can't revoke them," Kahui said.

CRUSADERS

In the news: Andy Ellis wins a gold medal at the Ellerslie International Flower Show and coach Todd Blackadder speaks of the "love" within the squad. All this a week after the Crusaders trained with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Ellis, whose winning design, The Last Laugh, was a statement about the impact humans are having on the environment and its natural resources, is "injured" this week. But Teamtalk believes he is working on a new arrangement for player-of-the-day bouquets.

Physio's table: Andy Ellis concussion (day by day), Brad Thorn (sternum), should be OK.

The good: The Kieran Read-Richie McCaw double act and the Crusaders coaching staff. Why is it the Crusaders have cottoned on to the fact that opensides should be playing blindside, but other teams haven't. Second to the ball is more effective than first right now.

The bad: Crusaders v Lions. The Johannesburg team are borderline fit to play in the Super 14 and, if anyone's keen, Teamtalk's got a lazy fiver that a century will be posted in Christchurch this weekend. Unfortunately we aren't talking about the Black Caps.

HIGHLANDERS

In the news: Michael Hobbs and Adam Thomson break curfew. Curfew? Do rugby team's need curfews?

Physio's table: Jimmy Cowan (dislocated finger)

The good: Israel Dagg. The young Hawke's Bay fullback's three tries were all the better considering he was playing in a beaten team. And Otago getting the first Ranfurly Shield challenge during this year's NPC. Whoops, wrong competition. But another chance for Otago-ites to win the log ... or wallow in self-pity for a few more years.

The bad: Scoring five tries and still coughing up 50 points to the Bulls, then heading back to Dunedin to face a Sharks side that will see this as their last possible chance to salvage their miserable season.

AUSSIE WATCH

Force skipper Nathan Sharpe gets the blindingly obvious quote of the week award after being thrashed by the Reds: "You're playing catch-up football when you're 30 points behind at halftime."

Waratahs wing Drew Mitchell scores four tries. He's hailed as brilliant, till someone points out they were playing the Lions.

The rumour mill predicts the new Melbourne Rebels will unveil eight new signings in coming days. While halfback Sam Cordingly and hooker Adam Freier are former Wallabies, the other players being mooted are virtual unknowns. With the Lions already easybeats and the Force not far behind, Teamtalk wonders how the 15th team will fare.

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH

Carlos Spencer laments the poor crowds at Super 14 matches, forgetting for a moment that he's playing for the drawcard Lions. Or did he think he would draw the crowds on his own?

Football officials convince South African rugby to remove advertsising logos from the fields at three World Cup venues to avoid damaging the grass. Rugby players rejoice at not having to wash red paint out of their hair after matches.

- © Fairfax NZ News