In our final preview of the revamped US Super League we examine the Blue Conference. It consists of teams from Dallas, San Diego, New York, Seattle, Kansas City and Washington DC.

The Dallas Harlequins, a long-time force in Texas, have yet to scale the
heights of Super League. In 2001, the Quins just missed out on qualifying
for the post season due mainly to a couple of narrow losses that had they
won, would've seen them go in as the fourth seed from the West.

Dallas boasts some real talent in its ranks including the likes of flyhalf
Matt Alexander, who was one of the leading points scorers last year, and
Brett Pedersen (Captain) who led by example every week. If early season form
is any guide, then the Quins will be a tough nut to crack in 2002 as they've
been on a tear in the Texas competition. Mark McCloy will be back to coach
the team for a second year.

San Diego club OMBAC, finalists in 2001, again will be a team to watch. This
team is stacked with class players from skipper Conrad Hodgson and flanker
Ryan ReBell, to one of the most potent backlines in the country featuring
Alistair Steele and Eagles 7s players Dave DiSorbo and Malakai Delai.

OMBAC's trophy cabinet positively overflows with silverware from national
championships in years past, but the one piece of hardware yet to grace the
shelves is the Super League crown. Even before a ball has been kicked in
this year's comp, director of coaching Bing Dawson makes no secret of the
fact that his club is on a mission, "Our goal is Super League. We think we
know who's going to be on the roster, but we have a few new players, so it's
not finalised yet."

Old Blue New York is one of the oldest clubs in America, and as such, is
steeped in history and tradition, and under the stewardship of new coach
Geoff Mould and captain Mark Griffin they could feature in post season play.

Griffin says the club has a new focus, "We've gained a few players like
Australian 7s rep Matt Isaac and we went through the Northeastern fall
competition undefeated. Geoff is instilling a running game philosophy and we
're concentrating on fitness and ball handling."

Old Puget Sound Beach (Seattle) is a club with nowhere to go but up. A
solitary victory in 2001 disappointed everyone associated with the team, as
the year before OPSB had recorded its first ever winning season.

The club overcame financial troubles in 2000 and was given permission by the
League to cast further afield for players in order to keep it viable. Luke
Erevanula skippers a side that has talent on board and coach Scott Shepherd
will be in charge of moulding a winning combination.

Kansas City is a team hoping to go one better this year after getting as far
as the semi-finals last season. Vili Talaepa has been named captain with New
Zealander Bob Telfer head coach and they'll be under pressure to get
results.

The Blues played solidly in 2001 finishing second in the East, but rued some
missed opportunities along the way that would've clinched them homefield
advantage and could've altered their final destiny. Their star player
without doubt is Doug Brown, a veritable point scoring machine.

And finally there's the Washington RFC, a team based in the nation's
capital. Washington had the dubious distinction of scoring the fewest points
in the League last year. Coach John Redmond and skipper Jason Kallivokas
have a huge job ahead of them, but Redmond feels the club's on the right
track, "We talk about it a lot. Commitment has been the mantra."

Washington has also recruited a 275lb tight-head prop from Tonga, along with
South African technical advisor Yagya Sakier.