The Stormers or DHL Stormers as they are also known is based in the Western Cape province of South Africa. They draw players from DHL Western Province (WP) & Boland Cavaliers. The team is mainly based at Newlands rugby Stadium under the hangs of the world famous Table Mountain, but they have played games at Boland rugby stadium in the Paarl from time to time.  
Although they have not won the Super Rugby trophy as yet, they have been in the Finals (2010), where they lost to the Bulls, and have made it to the semi-finals on 3 occasions in the past. The Stormers lost twice to the Crusaders and once to the Highlanders in the semi-finals.  
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BLUES VS CRUSADERS
The first game of Super Rugby 2012 will see the Blues hosting the Crusaders at Eden Park. In New Zealand this will definitely be the game of the weekend and looking at the other conferences this for me is the big one. What a way to start the Super Rugby season. This is the match that will set the pace for the NZ conference and the top 6 log positions. The team that wins this one will probably top their log and likely the overall log.

The Blues will have to be at their level best if they want to win this game. It is true that they have home ground advantage and the crowd will become a 16th player for them. They have the attacking ability to beat most teams and will have to use this to their advantage. They are facing one of the best defensive teams in the competition. I'm looking forward to them running the ball and spreading it to the wings. If they are going to kick they should make sure it is into space and not at a player. Scrum wise they have been good and can use this to their benefit.

The Crusaders have one of the best attacks specially in open play. Their kicking game is also one of the best in world rugby at the moment. However with Dan Carter doubtful this might suffer a bit. At the rucs they are just about unbeatable but again of McCaw is not in the team it becomes a lot easier at the breakdowns for the opposition. Defensively they are sound and it is not easy to break their line. This will have to be steady against a good attacking team like the Blues.
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The Western Force first competed in 2006 when SANZAR extended the Super 12 to the Super 14. In their first season they got the wooden spoon but have improved steadily since then. Although still a bottom half of the log team, they are capable of giving stronger teams a run for their money. 
The team has seen some controversy in their short 6 year existence. First there was the Firepower payment debacle that saw Matt Giteau return to the Brumbies after not getting paid. Then there was the Team Bonding weekend when two players got fined for animal abuse. This was an alcohol related incident. In 2008 Matt Henjak and Haig Sare got in a pub brawl. Henjak broke Sare's jaw and got suspended resulting in him leaving the Force.
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The Waratahs or 'Tahs as their supporters call them is one of Australia's more successful teams in Super Rugby. They have a rich history dating back to 1882 when they played their first game against Queensland. In 1927/28 they toured the United Kingdom, North America and France, winning 24 of their 31 games. They continued playing winning rugby during the 1930's culminating in beating the Springboks in 1937 at the SCG. 
When the Super Rugby competition started back in 1996 many believed that the Waratahs would be one of the teams challenging for the title. They however struggled in the first couple of years, finishing in the middle or bottom half of the log. It took them until 2002 to reach the finals and from there on in it has been a real roller-coaster ride for them going from the top of the log to the bottom at regular intervals. 
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The Highlanders is NZRU's 3rd most successful team in Super Rugby after the Crusaders and Blues. Although they haven't won the competition to date they have reached 4 semi-finals and the finals once, losing to the Crusaders in 1999. They have struggle of late to make it in to the pay-offs and the top half of the log, having done so the last time in 2002. 
This is a team that on paper looks good but just can't seem to play accordingly. They represent North Otago, Otago and Southland in the Super Rugby competition. These are all strong teams in the Air New Zealand Cup. Yet as a franchise they have been struggling. Their main rivals in the NZ conference will be the Chiefs. But here is a look at their history in Super Rugby years gone by:
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The Chiefs are on of the NZRU teams that competes annually in the Super Rugby competition. Although they have sported some All Black players they have never really lived up to expectation. It took them till 2004 to reach a semi-final and 2009 to reach a final. They lost both of these encounters. At most they are a middle of the log team that can show some brilliance at times but not nearly enough to compete on a consistent level with the big names. 
They have finished consistently between 6th and 8th place on the log. The best they have done is losing in the 2009 Final to the Bulls by 61-17. This was season where they were the team to beat. Given that there were one or two decision that went against them in that game, but in the end they were outplayed. they seem to have what it takes, but never live up to their potential. 
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The Hurricanes is a New Zealand rugby franchise team representing the lower North Island of New Zealand. The region is made up of East Coast, Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua Kapiti, Manawatu, Poverty Bay, Taranaki, Wairarapa-Bush, Wanganui and Wellington provincial Rugby unions. They have never won the Super Rugby title, but have been in the top 4 positions 6 times and finished second once. Their worst finish was in 2004 when they finished 11th out of 12 teams. 
Most of their players are from Wellington with a couple from Taranaki and Hawke's Bay. 24 of their players are protected and may not be selected by other New Zealand teams. The rest are up for selection by any team. They can also select players from other regions who are not protected. all of their players are currently playing for teams in the Air New Zealand Cup. The Air New Zealand Cup is the NZ equivalent of the Currie Cup, played by 14 teams annually. 
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The Blues, formerly the Auckland Blues, are one of New Zealand’s more successful teams in Super Rugby. They have won the competition in 1996, 1997 and 2003. They have defeated the Sharks, Brumbies and Crusaders for these 3 trophies.  They have had mixed results since the competition expanded first to  a 14 team and in 2011 to a 15 team competition.  
Their worst season was back in 2001 when they could win only 4 games from 11 and they finished 11th on the log.  They have finished in the top half of the log 11 times.
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The week leading up to the second weekend of Six Nations Rugby was filled with some interesting talking points. First their was the Scottish try that was but wasn't given. In the eyes of the Scots a clear try however not given. In my eyes at most a 50/50 decision. Discipline issues grazed the headlines and in the end all were happy with the 7 week ban handed out. But the big talking point was the pitch in France. Tents erected with blowers and heaters put on, because the field was frozen. And a wait till game day to decide if play would continue or not. But let us get to the action of what transpired over the last 48 hours in Six Nations rugby.

ITALY vs ENGLAND
My prediction for this game was England to win by 16 or more. I made mention that if Italy ever had a chance to beat England it would be this game. What this boy from Africa didn't consider was the weather. The worst we get is a water clogged field but never a snow covered pitch with sub-zero temperatures. I mean over here freezing cold is between 8 and 16 degrees and weather interference is due to heat.

England started of well keeping italy at bay and scoring the first points through a penalty. And up till about 8 minutes to go in the first half look in control. And then a silly mistake. Italy put a grubber kick through that England could not control. In fact England looked like they have never encountered a grubber before. Giovambattista Venditti fell on the ball as Ben Youngs spilled it over the try line. From the kick off England got the ball back and 50/50 pass on half way saw Tommaso Benvenuti intercept and score Italy's second try. England fought back in the second half after being 15-6 down. A Charlie Hodgson charge down and 6 more points from Farrell saw england salvage the game 19-15. 
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After an exciting first weekend of Six Nations rugby, that saw some controversial decisions by the referees and TMO's and some unexpected results, it is time to gear up for round two. Here is my predictions ans a short reasoning for each. Full match previews to follow over the next two to three days.

ITALY vs ENGLAND

Italy showed some great moments in their first game but just could finish and break the French defence. This weekend however they are playing the team with the worse defensive record, when it comes to tackles missed, in round 1. They have home ground advantage and are playing a very young inexperienced England side. If they can dominate up front as they have shown over the years, they might just sneak a try or two. This will be difficult as england would work on their defence this week. This might just be the game where Italy can upset, if they use their chances and play unpredictable rugby. 
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