With State of Origin done and dusted for another year, we can now focus on the last nine weeks of the 2008 NRL regular season. There's still a lot of league to be played, and still plenty of teams that can make the top eight.

But for us, the most important thing is that Warriors are still in the hunt. Only just, though, and their run to the finals is not going to be easy - five of their last nine are against top eight sides.

They will need to win six or seven of their nine if they are to stand any real chance of playing in this years final series, and the way they've been playing lately it's hard to see it happening.

What they do have in their favour is five home games, which they'll need to win - although the Storm, Broncos and Sharks make up three of them, and they will be tough to beat, even at home.

Their other opponents are the Cowboys (h), Bulldogs (a), Rabbitohs (a), Dragons (a), Panthers (h) and the Eels (a).

Really, it's this weekend that will show us if we can make the top eight, with the Cowboys coming to town. The Cowboys have been by far the worst team this year, and currently sit dead last on the ladder. If the Warriors can't manage to pick up a win against them, then we can forget about making the eight this year.

It really is do or die from here on out...

It will be great to have Steve Price and Brent Tate back from Origin duty, and hopefully they can bring some of the success they had with Queensland back to the Warriors.

The top eight isn't out of the question. In fact, we're only sitting three points behind the Panthers, who are in eighth place. But the boys will have to start playing consistent footy if they want to be there come September.

The other team to watch in the buildup to the finals is the resurgent Rabbitohs (yes, we said 'watch the bunnies'), who last night beat the Bulldogs 34-30 in extra time. After struggling all year, they are finally playing to their potential - and it's been since beating the Warriors (sigh...) in round thirteen. They have now put together four wins in a row and, just like the Warriors, the top eight isn't out of the question - although they'll need a bit of luck to go their way.

So sit back and prepare yourselves for the run home, sports fans - it certainly promises to be an entertaining finish to what has already been a great year of league.

The Test season may be in it's early stages, but the All Blacks seem to be progressing along nicely. And, after four wins in a row, they're heading back towards the top of the International ladder.

This year's approach seems different from what we've come to expect in recent times, with Graham Henry and the selectors sticking with more or less the same lineup for the first four Tests - it's been a breath of fresh air for all those calling for an end to the rotation system that Henry and co. have used in the past.

The changes they have made have been small, but ultimately successful, with guys like Richard Kahui, Rudi Wulf and Adam Thomson stepping up to the mark when given the opportunity.

There is a good balance in this year's squad, with the senior players providing a solid environment for the young guys to slot into. And it's working, too - the performances so far have been impressive.

Even the loss of Richie McCaw hasn't disrupted their game, with Rodney So'oialo stepping up to cover the injured McCaw. He certainly didn't disappoint us, leading from the front against the might of the Springbok forward pack.

Ma'a Nonu has been a revelation this year, as he continues to mature into a great inside center. He has developed his skills, and is proving that he is not one dimensional in his attack. He has been criticised in the past for trying to do everything himself, rather than passing the ball to his outside backs, but he is now using his brain and passing the ball a lot more - and that's putting the opposition in two minds as to what he's going to do.

His combination with Conrad Smith has been an outstanding feature so far this year, as the two Wellington boys have created havoc for their opposing backs - none more so than the English.

It looks as though we have found our best center pairing for some time, and with Kahui showing he's quite capable of handling the pressure of International rugby, the depth looks very secure for now.

The only real concern for us right now is the lack of depth in the lock and halfback positions. Ali Williams and Brad Thorn have been doing a fantastic job at lock, but with Thorn suspended for this weeks game against the Boks, our depth will really be tested.

Anthony Boric has had limited game time so far, and while he didn't look out of his depth against England, the Springboks will really test his capabilities at Test level.

We imagine Kevin O'Neill will come onto the bench this week, but he is yet to experience anything close to Test rugby. We still think Jason Eaton should be brought in to cover Thorn, but it's hard to see Henry selecting him after bringing in O'Neill to cover Williams last week. Even Ross Filipo or Hoani MacDonald would be better candidates for the locking position...

Andy Ellis has been given the halfback spot in all four Tests so far this year, but we have been less than impressed with his performances, and think Jimmy Cowan needs to start this weekend. Ellis's pass is slow, and he doesn't seem to have the strength to make decent runs from the back of the ruck - whereas Cowan is a strong runner, and can deliver the ball to Carter with some pace.

With Brendon Leonard out injured for the remainder of the season, Ellis needs to step up his game and prove he can perform at the Test level. If he can't, Piri Weepu must be brought back, whether Henry likes it or not.

We're very happy with how the All Blacks are going, and while we know it's still early days, we think they're showing that they're still the best side in the world.

The real test for the All Blacks will come when they play in Australia (who have shown good signs so far) and in South Africa, who are aways tough to beat at home.

We certainly don't expect the year to go without the odd glitch along the way, but if they continue to build on their performances so far...

Watch out, World.

The All Blacks have taken first blood in this years Tri Nations, grinding out a hard fought 19-8 win over the Springboks in Wellington.

Once again Wellington turned on the wet conditions, which meant a greasy surface and plenty of handling errors by both sides.

Despite the slippery ball, both sides tried to play an open game, with a lot of tactical kicking.

Even Ali Williams joined in on it.

Dan Carter put the All Blacks ahead with three penalties, before Bryan Habana scored in the corner, narrowing the margin to 9-8 going into half time. The Springboks were giving the All Blacks a run for their money...

John Smit was an early casualty for the Springboks, leaving the field in the first half with a groin strain, after being dumped by Brad Thorn in an off-the-ball incident. Thorn has been given a one week ban for the tackle, and will miss the Carisbrook Test next Saturday.

Jerome Kaino scored the All Blacks first (and only) try to give them a handy eight point lead, and when Carter slotted a penalty later in the half the All Blacks took a 19-8 lead, which they kept to the final whistle.

Kaino was very unlucky not to be given a second try after chasing a Carter kick, but Stu Dickenson deemed him off side, which was a completely rubbish call. Why the video ref couldn't have had a look we don't know, but it should have been referred.

Kaino had a fantastic game, and looks to be maturing as an All Black, as does Ma'a Nonu.

Other standouts for the All Blacks were Ali Williams, who had a great game in his fiftieth Test, and Conrad Smith, who continues to silence his critics with great attacking and defending abilities.

The lineouts were very successful (until late in the second half), as was the scrum, where we dominated the Springboks throughout the game.

Our only real concern at the moment is Andy Ellis at halfback. We know he's young and relatively new to the All Blacks, but we need a halfback who can pass the ball quickly. Ellis seems to be permanently stuck in slow motion.

We'd like to see Cowan get a start this weekend, just to let Ellis know he has some competition for the number nine jersey. Maybe that way he'll up his game a bit more...

All in all it was a very tough and physical Test, which is exactly what the All Blacks needed. The Springboks showed us that they are a real threat, and could give us more of a run for our money in the upcoming Tests.

We can't wait for round two this Saturday in Dunedin - we just hope the snow has melted by then.