Friday 12th February
Blues v Hurricanes  :  Auckland  :  7:35pm (all times NZ)
A replay of the first ever game of Super rugby back in 1996 - that game a rip snorter if I recall correctly, the Blues getting up though - the Auckland Blues back in those dim dark days though.
This time out, an injury ravaged Blues side (and this is the first round of the Super 14, how're they going to bloody last out the season), facing a full strength (sans Rodders at number eight) Hurricanes side.  An away game, but at Albany, for the 'Canes, so a real chance for them to set their marker down early.  Thump the Blues away, even the Blues with the injury blues, and you're drawing your line in the sand early.
Hurricanes by 12 and under.

Saturday 13th February
Western Force v Brumbies  :  Perth  :  12:05am
These games are always bloody hard to pick when going on early season results and no form in the competition proper.  But with Gitau having changed sides, I think the Force won't have what it takes to win this.  The fact that they are at times crap at their home venue too won't help, although aren't they playing at a new stadium now?  Dunno.  Anyway, Brumbies are looking like title contenders, Force aren't, so that's good enough for me.
Brumbies by 12 and under.

Cheetahs v Bulls  :  Bloemfontein  :  6:10am
The Super 14 champions against the crap Cheetahs.  Say no more, champions are champions for a reason, and champion teams don't lose to the Cheetahs.
Bulls by 13 plus.

Crusaders v Highlanders  :  Christchurch  :  7:35pm
Yay, lets get it on!  Another champion team against a team that lost sooooo many games in the last two seasons by less than a handful of points (that's five points, unless you're from Waihi, and you have two thumbs, which would make six).  A real chance for the Highlanders to let the Super 14 know that this season they are ready to crack the top four.  A close loss in this game would not be the end of the world, as they are playing the Crusaders.  The close losses to the Chiefs and the Blues and the Lions and company, those are the tough to stomach ones - ones they should win.  One clash to watch in this match is the lock battle - Ross v Donnelly.  Crusaders though should have too much for the boys from the deep south.
Crusaders by 12 and under.

Reds v Waratahs  :  Brisbane  :  9:40pm
It was about a million years before the Waratahs beat the Reds in the Super 14, and then they have won, I think, the last two seasons clashes quite easily.  Well, for some reason I think the worm might have turned again, I have a feeling that the Reds will polish off the Waratahs.  Based on nothing really, just that 'feeling' that you sometimes get, and is often wrong...!
Reds by 13 plus

Sunday 14th February
Lions v Stormers  :  Johannesburg  :  4:05am
Yay, Carlos time.  Welcome back you frustrating player you, even though it is for the lowly Lions.  At least it makes another Boer team worth watching, although I won't be getting up in the dawn for this one!  I still don't think it'll be enough, one class player, to pick the Lions up off the scrap heap.  The Stormers will have too much for them, even playing away from home.
Stormers by 12 and under.

Sharks v Chiefs  :  Durban  :  6:10am
The Chiefs have packed their bench with forwards this week for the heat of Durban.  Two props, a hooker, a lock and a big loose forward / lock.  Picking that there'll be a hell of a forward battle in the humidity!  Lets just hope that this does not backfire and there are a dozen back injuries!  With Tupperware Kahui starting, there's one...  No doubt Messam and Bourke are both able to play in the double digit positions is the thought - and some might say they already do - but a risk that backfired last season I believe it was.  Captain Sione Lauaki is out for this match with a dirty old abscess in his arm - good to see the man a picture of health on and off the field!!  Sharks will be genuine title contenders this season I believe, and this game, a thumping of last seasons finalists will be a good start for them.
Sharks by 13 plus.

So there you go folks, the first weeks curses, and points margins.  Race down to the TAB now and do the reverse of what I have guessed, and you could come up trumps!

Go the Chiefs!