Jeepers! This Super 12 season is flying by - Round 9 already :(

South Africa's new team, in Free State central for next year is in limbo - the selection has upset RSA's sports minister who was pushing for the base to be in a black African rugby stronghold. Even the country's rugby management committee didn't all agree, with five of the committee filing a motion to have the decision set aside. The upshot is that there's to be a special meeting with the powers involved this Saturday to review the whole selection process. Messy!

The Force claim to have 11 players signed up for next year - give us names guys, that's what we want to know :)

The Reds heads will no doubt be a slightly happier crew today now that Hugh McMenimen has re-signed with them for the next two years. Sadly he won't be playing in the game against the Sharks tomorrow night in Brisbane due to a corked thigh.

It's time to get in the tips for Round 9. The Brumbies and Tahs have a bye, so again there's just five games this week.

Tonight:

Hurricanes vs Highlanders: Live Foxsports at 5.30pm This is a really hard game to pick. The Canes at home will be very strong. The Highlanders have been playing good footy though and their confidence must be high enough for them to really rate themselves a chance in this game. I think I'll go the Highlanders by a point.

Tomorrow:

Crusaders vs Cats: Live Foxsports at 5.30pm. Crusaders by a country mile :)

Reds vs Sharks: Live Foxsports at 7.30pm. Well the Reds have absolutely nothing left to lose this Super 12 season, so I'm hoping that they're going to get out there and give it a go. I reckon they should pull Wendell in off the wing and either put him at inside centre or in the forwards - he's strong enough, and at least he'd get to see plenty of ball :) Yes, they've been dismal, but I'm going to tip the Reds to win this game - by 3.

Bulls v Chiefs: Live Foxsports at 10.57pm. I suspect the Chiefs are going to get belted by the big Bulls forward pack - just watching them scares me :) Bulls by 5

Sunday:

Stormers v Blues: Live Foxsports at 12.55am. Another toin coss for me - I suspect this game will go one way or the other quite convincingly. The Stormers are at home but the Blues have gotten their acts together in the last few rounds, so I'm going to tip the Blues by 3.

So there you go - good luck with your tipping, and have a great rugby weekend!!