"Laying all the blame on Lam's desk is unfair. But he and his Blues coaching cohorts are the ones who identify players and are responsible for guiding them towards better results."
Read: This is the time for Lam to deliver
More Blues news:
Return of Wulf and Ranger lifts tempo
Super 15 game of the week: Blues v Crusaders
Focus on battle of the rookie five eighths
"There's no reason why the combination shouldn't be eye-catching for all the right reasons, but you never know.
Sometimes combinations that sound great in theory don't work in practice."
Read: SBW and Kahui ready to play the beautiful game
More Chiefs news:
Hard taskmaster will call the tune
Cane gets nod to tackle Highlanders
"Coach Todd Blackadder is also acutely aware that, despite making two semifinals and a final, the Crusaders have not added to their seven titles under his tenure."
Read: Blackadder's challenge - regain that top spot
More Crusaders news:
Extra work helps Fruean gear up for tough competition
Super 15 game of the week: Blues v Crusaders
Focus on battle of the rookie five eighths
"Coach Mark Hammett knows he won't restore the pride in one game, or maybe even a season, but he has looked to reshape this team with a long-term view and asked fans to be patient - or just have faith."
Read: Canes faithful hear the gospel of Hammett
More Hurricanes news:
Move all part of a careful career plan
Three to debut in Hurricanes starting XV
"Coach Jamie Joseph said he wants his Highlanders - who started well last year but tailed off - to maintain momentum through the 2012 campaign.
"I know last year if we had won the three last games, we would have made the playoffs. If you get on a roll you get confidence."
Read: Joseph has the right Gear for success
"The Reds should have the depth to be a near-certainty for the top six and, given luck
on the injury front, a second successive title is not a pipe dream."
Read: Quade-less Reds still have enough talent to win
"South Africa has six teams and five spots, and there is a lot of sweating in the Saru boardroom. Will one side be forced out? Will two franchises be forced to amalgamate?
Never before has it been so important to avoid the wooden spoon."
Read: South African teams forced to play musical chairs
Friday:
Blues v Crusaders, 7.35pm
Brumbies v Force, 9.40pm
Saturday:
Bulls v Sharks, 6.10am
Chiefs v Highlanders, 7.35pm
Waratahs v Reds, 9.40pm
Sunday:
Stormers v Hurricanes, 4.05am
Lions v Cheetahs, 6.10am
