Okay,

The first game of the season, the Blues vs the Hurricanes from Eden Park on Friday evening (NZ time) is fast appoaching. The teams have now been named with Kevin Senio getting the nod ahead of the luckless Steve Devine. Click here to check that out. This should be a real cracker to kick the season off. You'd have to rank the Blues as favourites playing at home, but they've had trouble with Wellington in recent years and this is a strong Hurricanes side with 13 internationals. I wonder if David Nucifora will show the sameforward thinking that he used with the Brumbies...and didn't it cost him dearly there! Last seasons Wallabies performances certainly proved him right.

The Chiefs have chosen to spurn the traditional warm South African welcome for New Zealand teams when they arrived for their game against the Sharks. Even without Roger Randle in the team these days, who could blame them. It seems that if anything is going to wrong with a touring New Zealand team, it is going to happen while they are touring the Republic. Coincidence? I think not. However, at least management appear to have finally wisened up to this statistical anomaly and are taking steps to prevent issues from arising in future. Check out that story here.

Avoiding the limelight is a good move and check out the predicted reception for the behemouth, Sione Lauaki. That man is a mountain, and I bet anything he is on a first name basis with Colonel Sanders, or at least customer of the year for 2004-2005, and the frontrunner to take it away again this year. Check out the comment from South Africa on him here. I pity the fool that tries anything on with that guy, I'm sure that he can look after himself.

Meanwhile in the Republic they appear to be pretty realistic about their chances this season. The Bulls have been named as the team to carry the hopes of the nation, and based on previous years performances, you'd have to say that was a fair appraisal. For the full story click here.

The local derby from Brisbane is shaping up to be quite a game, at least if it can live up to the hype. I fear that this may not be the case as the Reds seem to be clutching at straws. Good luck to young Berrick Barnes I say, but straight into your first Super 14 game from Rugby League is a big ask. Read what he has to say about it here. It does look a bit like the Red's talent scouts might have been caught napping and now that young man is given a chance...or thrown to the lions.

The pre-game hype for that game continues with Wendell entering the fray in a very low key, public relations coached manner. A good shot on Chris Handy works its way in there, however for a bit of a chuckle. Wendell got a nice reception at the airport from the local media and assured everyone that he was just there to play footy and that's what he would concentrate on. Read here for more. And for more actual information on the game, which seems to be getting overlooked in all the hype, have a look here.

The local derbyfrom New Zealand is shaping up as being a game worth watching. If ever the Highlanders would want to play the Crusaders, it is at the beginning of the season where they tend to perform badly. This is always a good game as there is plenty of feeling between the teams being located right next door to each other. Click here for a story on the game and here for a story on a possible upset win to the Highlanders.

Out West things are warming up for new coach John Mitchell. He offers his assessment of injury reports from the Brumbies camp and comments about his team in general. It was interesting to read his predicted year of struggle for the team in its first Super 14. An honest assessment of the situation, but also self serving in some ways. At least they can't say he lead them to expect that they wouold win...something he may have done in the past. Click here for the full story.

Well, after all that I am counting the moments until kick off. Catch all the action and comment here. See you all tomorrow with a new post.