Magner's League, Guinness Premiership and the closing weeks of the Tri-Nations

Well, the Springboks are not invincible. But the fact of the matter is that the All Blacks and Wallabies will not win the Tri-Nations. Australia has been very good, but mainly in the opening sequences. The first time that they have turned the game around was against South Africa last weekend, but Australia has had a bad run of luck against the All Blacks, despite the quick starts they had so far this season.

The All Blacks can still win the Tri-Nations, but they will not do it. They would have to demolish the Aussies and then soundly beat the Springboks, who are playing at the top of their game. Despite the return of on-form Dan Carter, its the Springboks' championship to lose.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the season has stared. Finally. The only downside to the opening weeks is the second string teams that take the fields. Munster, reigning Magner's League Champs, fell to Glasgow. Leinster fell to the Scarlets. Both teams were missing their Lions players, and many of their internationals as well. The good news for Leinster is that Girvan Dempsey was fantastic. Or, until his eye met a Scarlet's knee.

More to follow.