The Crusaders flogged the Hurricanes 47-7 at Jade Stadium earlier tonight in a game that was Crusaders all the way for the most part. Crusader replacement Scott Hamilton scored a hat trick of tries that were set up by Rico Gear - who scored one himself. Daniel Carter and Greg Somerville also went over for the Crusaders. Justin Marshall out did himself at scrum half tonight, and Richie McCaw pinched a lot of ball at the breakdown. Twice the Hurricanes strung together 10+ phases of play, only to lose the ball to the Crusaders to zoom to the other end of the field for five pointers. Oh well... there's always next year for the Canes. Total class from the Canterbury boys who will host the final next week.

I'm changing my tip on the Bulls - I reckon the Tahs will win - by 8 :-)

Go Tahs!

Tips for the semis.....

Tonight: Crusader vs Hurricanes: Live on foxsports 5.30pm
I'm tipping the Crusaders over the Hurricanes - too hard to beat the Crusaders at Jade stadium - Dammit I wish I could be there! If the Tahs win tomorrow though, I'd like the Canes to win so that the Tahs could have a home final.. but...

Tomorrow: Waratahs vs Bulls: Live on fox at 7pm
I've been putting this decision off, and putting it off, and putting it off. I want the Tahs to win - I just have this feeling though that those Bulls forwards might just pull the smash and bash game plan off, and I feel that if the Bulls 'do' win the semi they will have played their final and won't have a hope against the Crusaders in the final... I should tip the Tahs... ARGHHHHHHHH Stuff it, I'm tipping the Bulls.

Have a top rugby weekend, and good luck with your tipping :) Go Tahs!

I'm not sure I fully understand what the go is with rugby in South Africa (maybe Hansie will know), but they're going to have a special meeting next month to re-elect senior office bearers. Let's hope for the sake of the sport that they sort themselves out.

Australia's Super 12 franchises are playing politics as well it would seem, with a report in the Australian today that has the Brumbies up in arms over player salaries in the Waratahs. The Reds have put in their two cents as well and reckon that they'll be raising 'salary cap' issues at a Super 14 meeting in June with ARU boss Gary Flowers. Let common sense prevail :)

The caffeine issue is still newsworthy today apparently. David Howman (Dir Gen of WADA) says that the use of caffeine tablets is "bordering on cheating". Well... perhaps while it's within the rules, it's not within the spirit of the rules.

Eddie Jones has come out in defence of Gregan's statements earlier this week and disagrees that the admission by Gregan will have any effect on junior players. "No, they don't copy everything (that happens at the elite level of sport)," Jones said in the Australian report. True! And yes, I agree with him that it is the responsibility of junior players' parents and coaches to make sure that the kids don't start wanting to pop a few No-doz before a game. It's just one more thing thrown into the mix though that coaches and parents probably don't need. If any of my boys ask me about it I'll just tell them that they're hypo enough without any added extras :-)

Speaking of caffeine.... I need a cup! Later

Read this crap.... Some South African having a belly ache about Steve Walsh to ref the Bulls/Tahs game. "...he does have a tendency to blow the 50-50 decisions for the home side in the competition." Bull!! hehe..

For once I agree with David Campese who reckons that George Gregan's admission to taking No-Doz tablets before a game to improve his performance was "stupid". Too right! Yes the caffeine based tablets are legal, but the last thing I need is my two boys wanting me to run out and buy these tablets so that THEY can start taking them before a game. Sheesh! Let's just hope that George was having a blond moment! Maybe he should just have a strong latte from one of his coffee shops before he hits the paddock :) Still.... now the World Anti-Doping Agency is considering putting caffeine back on the banned list. Milo anyone?

The Bulls plan to smash and bash up front against the Waratahs in their semi this weekend. "If we can make it a bar-room brawl up front, we've got a chance," prop Richard Bands has said. Indeed. The plan has served the Bulls well in the last few games - I'd go with it as well. Boy they're big boys! The Waratahs have their work cut out for them.

The Crusaders have named their team for their semi against the Hurricanes. Centre Casey Laulala strained a hamstring at training yesterday, so he won't be lining up for the Crusaders this weekend. Caleb Ralph will cover Laulala's position, and Scott Hamilton will cover the wing position for Ralph. Confused yet? heh.. Meanwhile, the Canes have some injury issues - their team will be named some time soon I should expect.

Later!

I just checked round 12 tipping results - one clear winner on 10 points - How'd he get THAT? Juha Teivonen - congratulations!

That's it for the round games of Super 12 2005 - that always makes me a little sad... The Highlanders made me even sadder over their game against the Chiefs. The Chiefs who have been patchy at best this season, came out firing and thumped the Highlanders 31-8. Sitiveni Sivivatu starred for the Chiefs, scoring three tries, and Marty Holah showed just why he's one of the best forwards running around on the paddock. Hansie - I doubt even the Reds would have gotten up over the Highlanders :)

The Brumbies 38 were too good for the Reds 21 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. Ben Tune tried to get his home side in front, but it was all too little too late for the Reds who had a Super 12 season that I'm sure we would all like to forget.

The Bulls annhilated the Stormers 75-14 - that's gotta hurt! The Bulls have been on a roll, and it will take a big effort from the Waratahs in Sydney to stop the Bull Forward Freight train come their semi final clash.

The Cats vs Sharks game ended up in a 20 all draw - totally stuffed my tipping for the round... The Sharks ended up bottom of the ladder for 2005. So promising before the Round 1 kick off.

So.... after 12 rounds we have the Crusaders to host the Hurricanes on Friday night at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. Kick off is 5.35pm Australian time - 7.35 NZ time.

The Second semi final is on Saturday night - between the Tahs and the Bulls in Sydney - kick off 7.40pm. Tickets go on sale through ticketek.com.au on Wednesday. Be quick on the phone, or online :)