In a slightly abbreviated Super Rugby round, the Crusaders appear to have gotten their campaign back on track with a hard-earned last-gasp win over a gallant Stormers in Christchurch while question marks remain over the Hurricanes' and Blues' title credibilities after they slumped to defeat this round.
The Crusaders' game against the Stormers may have been low-scoring but it was a terrific arm-wrestle that came alive right at the end with the Crusaders getting a massive morale-boosting win thanks to Tom Taylor's boot to show that even with the odds stacked against them through injury, they will always be a factor at home. However, the Crusaders still appear to lack the cutting edge of the Chiefs to be real championship material this season and will really have to rely on their defence which improved immeasurably to be contenders this season - they certainly can't hope to face a first five with jitters like the Stormers' Dimitri Catrakilis each week.
The Hurricanes for all money looked doomed to mediocrity even before the season has properly started after 3 defeats in a row - yes they were in South Africa for their first two games and had to come home to play the Brumbies on Friday night but already the signs are worrying that this Canes side hasn't really got much in the arsenal to challenge this season.
The Blues got thumped by the Bulls overnight in South Africa - not a surprising result, although question marks must be asked about why John Kirwan decided not to take his high-profile recruit, Benji Marshall to the Republic - instead taking the underperforming Chris Noakes.
Elsewhere, the Reds continued their Jekyll & Hyde form so far this season, as they trounced the Cheetahs in a high scoring game in Brisbane on Friday night, while the Western Force trounced the Rebels in Perth on Saturday evening - the Rebels continue to show that whilst they can perform at home, away from home, particularly against an Aussie side, they really struggle.
The Sharks also beat the surprise package Lions in Durban 37-23 with Francois Steyn being the darling of Sharks fans and fantasy rugby players.
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