The Reds are up, the Tahs are down.

How good are the Queensland Reds going?   I almost feel like swapping teams and supporting them.  Quad Cooper is presenting a master class in Rugby each week.  As for the Tah's its a totally different story.   They were pathetic against the Blues on the weekend.  New Melbourne Rebels recruit, Kurtly Beale,  certainly didn't show form in this game that would warrant a $1 million price tag to head south, but he had made the deal and off he will go next season.   As for this season I think, on this weekends performances, The Tah's are gone and the Reds are looking good for their first Super Rugby title.  As long as they keep their key players fit and they can secure a home finals birth they will be tough to stop.  But, a trip to SA or NZ could be an issue for them, as it is for all Aussie teams.  I say this knowing that QLD came away recently from SA with 2 wins from 2 starts, but finals is always a different story and you don't want to play the Bulls at home.   As a New South Welshman it pains me to say this, but go The REDS!

NZ Super Rugby - Crusaders sink Bulls

One match for the Round 8 Super Rugby that is worth writing home about had to be the Crusaders destroying the Bulls in a 27-0 defeat which left the bulls scoreless and very red faced.

Superstar Sonny Bill Williams scored after 14 minutes in what pleased the home crowd immensely. His 30m run and breaking the line had everyone on their feet and more and more excited about the youngster's Rugby World Cup debut in September, many are now calling him 'the X factor' in New Zealand's World Cup chances, hopefully shedding their label of being the 'chokers' of the international tournament.

Tries by Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Dagg and Tom Marshall never let the visiting South African's in with a glimpse of victory, nor points as they continue their stellar 2011 run.

Round 9 this week should see some great clashes, including the Crusaders vs. Chiefs, Blues vs Waratahs and one of the big Australian clashes between the Brumbies and Western Force. My tip will be for Crusaders, Blues and Brumbies to take the win from those games but as we know in Super Rugby this year, an upset is always on the cards.

Essendon pullout an upset over St. Kilda

In one of the upsets for 2011, Essendon Bombers stole a win from favourites St. Kilda Saints om a 52 point victory on Sunday at Etihad Stadium.

Essendon fans are now delighted at their team's now four match winning streak against the Saints while they never relinquished the leads from the get-go which set Essendon on a good path. Determined to forget the previous week's match against the Sydney Swans in which they lost the game by only a few points, the 'Dons made a strong case for why they could be a contender for the title in 2011.

Captain Jobe Watson led his side with a performance his Father (Essendon legend Joe Watson) would've been proud of. The young skipper picked up 32 possessions and also kicked himself three goals which gave the side an injection of confidence.

This loss now exposes the Saints as having a shaky start to 2011, with their worst start to a season since 2007, in which their coach Ross Lyon first took control of the squad.

What made matters worse was the fact St Kilda were celebrating Skipper Nick Riewoldt's 200th game and what a disappointment it was to the skipper. Riewoldt was quoted as saying 'It was a disappointing loss for the boys, whether or not it was my 200th game was irrelevant, we will continue our review of this season's performance and will be back to glory in no time at all'.

Essendon coach James Hird's fairly young side proved that experience is no match for fitness and accuracy in the goal kicking department with no more than 5 behinds in the first three quarters and a disappointing 10 points in the 4th quarter, though still impressive to St Kilda's 12 points in the 4th quarter, which is when they needed the most goals.

Essendon remains focused on its season ahead, and we will be most certainly looking forward to their annual ANZAC day match between Essendon and Collingwood which could shape up to be the finest in years, with both teams showing strong signs of form going into the day.

Manly vs Cronulla

I thought I would be a little tricky this week and put my bets on The Sharks as I had forgotten to put my tips on last week and I am already well behind the Eight Ball at the work tipping comp.

The Sharks were at home and I just had the feeling due to recent performances that they could pull off an upset and I would get points where others would not, as who tips the Sharks?  Nobody, that's who.

They started well and I was getting cocky by the end of the first half.  Infact I was verbally taunting people at work whilst the game was on.  I had this, what a masterstroke.  The Sharks were going to pull this off.

With about 10 minutes left Manly went in for a try.  No matter, they were still out of the game.  But then they went in again and converted.  They were only 1 point behind now.  This was starting to look bad.  The inevitable drop goal came and the scores were tied at full time.  It was going to golden point, and yes of course Manly were going to get 1st use of the football.

The try came not long after the restart to break The Sharks supporters hearts and my brilliant plan was left in tatters.

Ill never tip the Sharks again.  Useless

Manly steal win over Cronulla at the final siren (9/4)

Manly steal win over Cronulla at the final siren (9/4)

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This blog will focus on the winter sports through out Australia, with particular focus on NSW.

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