Yikes! The Reds got pounded by the Highlanders in Invercargill last night... 39-8. I didn't get to see much of the game - I was out training under 11s- but I sure did HEAR plenty about it :/ I saw bits and pieces though. Right from the start the Reds were in trouble. John Roe mucked up the kick off and shortly after the Otago lock - Filipo Levi went over the line for the first of his two tries. Tony Brown played an awesome game and set up much of the play for the Highlanders. The Reds really didn't perform at all well - though going from our sweltering heatwave (it's to hit 40 deg C here today) to the cold 8 deg in Invercargill was not doubt off putting. Even so, you can only blame so much on the temperature.

Spare a thought for Steve Kefu who came down with bells palsy on Thursday night. For those of you who've never seen anybody with bells palsy - it's not a pretty site at all. One side of the face droops, it's difficult to speak, and the eye continually waters and it's difficult to close it. Bells palsy is rare, but it's a very serious condition. To get him better the doctors administered prednisone tablets immediately. Prednisone is on the IRB's banned list, but here's hoping Kefu will be granted an exemption for it's use. He's a top bloke - and I wish him a speedy and successful recovery.

Meanwhile over in Jo'berg the Stormers beat the Cats 28-23. Too bad I'd tipped the cats to win by 5 - yes I'm an optimist!

Today we see the Waratahs return to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders. It'll be strange seeing Justin Harrison wearing the blue jersey instead of the Brumbies' colours. I reckon the Crusaders will win the game even though they do tend to start slowly in super 12.

In Canberra the ACT Brumbies will be taking on the Auckland Blues. Well I'd sure like to see the Brumbies win, but the Blues side is a who's who of All Blacks. Kees Meeuws, Ali Williams, and Keven Mealamu line up in the forwards... and that backline - Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko, Doug Howlett, and Carlos Spencer. Sheesh! Good luck Brumbies!

The Chiefs take on the Hurricanes over in Hamilton, and in Pretoria the Bulls will tackle the Sharks.

Oh Yeah!! Super 12 2004 is up and running!