Listen up, fanatics - it's Super 14 finals time again, and this weekend sees the top four sides go to war after fourteen rounds of Super 14 action.

Glued to the edge of your seat, this weekend? We know we will be.

First up, we see the ever reliable Canterbury Crusaders take on the attacking flair of the Wellington Hurricanes. There's no doubt the Crusaders will be looking to make amends for their shocking, (shocking) 26-14 loss to the boys from the deep south.

The loss to the Highlanders, though, may just be the wake up call the Crusaders need heading into the semis - they really have looked anything but their best over the past few weeks, and this shock-loss may spell bad news for the Wellington boys, who will be hoping to bounce back from their loss to the Auckland Blues last Friday night.

The Crusaders are the most experienced Super Rugby side when it comes to the finals, winning it on six occasions (1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2006). And, they will be looking to send super coach Robbie Deans (departing to take up the head coaching job with the Wallabies) out on a high, and there would be no better way to do that than winning a seventh title.

The Hurricanes won't go down without a fight, though - they lost to the Crusaders earlier in the season, but they've shown in the past that they're capable of bringing down the mighty red and black machine.

If the Hurricanes can unleash their exciting brand of attacking rugby, they might just find themselves on the grand stage in two weeks. It wont be easy, but they only need to take a page out of the Highlanders book - the Crusaders can be beaten at home.

On the injury front - Mose Tuiali'i is in doubt for the Crusaders, and Hurricanes captain, Rodney So'oialo, is also under an injury cloud. Here's hoping they can both take their positions, because that would be one hell of a battle between the two No.8's.

In the other semi final, the Warratahs are looking to go Shark hunting as the boys from Durban invade NSW territory. Both sides are coming into the semi with wins behind them, and if the Sharks can put the trip over from South Africa behind them they have a real chance at making it to the final - for a second straight year. And, after a last minute loss to the Bulls in last years final, they'll be out for blood.

NSW coach Ewan Mckenzie must be a bit puzzled right now. Mckenzie was given the boot as coach after an early season slump by the Warratahs, but they've since managed to bounce back to secure second place on the competition ladder. Tough break Ewan, but with the Reds and Brumbies looking out of sorts im sure there'll be a job opening for you very soon...

So then - after another season of Super 14 action, here are our choices for the biggest improvers and the biggest disappointments (no, we didn't say losers) of the year:

Although crashing out of the competition, the Waikato Chiefs displayed a very entertaining brand of footy that saw them come so close (and yet so far...) to the finals. They were plagued with injuries throughout the season, but if they can continue to build on their attacking flair they'll be a real threat in 2009.

Both the Stormers and the Western force continue to grow in strength, and if they can gain some consistency next year they'll both be in the hunt for a finals berth.

At the other end of the spectrum, it would be easy to pick the Lions, the Cheetahs, or even the Highlanders for the most disappointing, but lets be honest - who actually expected anything
from these teams? On the other hand, though - last years Super 14
winners, the Bulls, have been disappointing to say the least. They did lose some key players from last year, (Victor Matfield was a biggy...), they still have a team that should have been able to string a few wins together.

A notable mention must go to the Blues, who missed out on a place in the semi finals despite having a team who could have potentially won the competition. It will certainly be interesting to see how they go with a new coach on board next year.

And now - it's time to put our neck's on the line...

...and predict a Warratahs vs Hurricanes final.

What do you think, fanatics? Give us your thoughts!