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Freddie Michalak has unhappy memories of his last time in New Zealand.

No amount of training camps could have prepared All Blacks coach Steve Hansen for his start to the impending three-test series against France.

All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter has a cracked bone in his right hand which could force him out of Saturday's first test against France.

As of next month, Brad Thorn will be unemployed.

Dan Carter's short-term future in the All Blacks appears to be in the playmaker's role, despite his ability to play in the midfield and the increasing competition from Aaron Cruden.

Chiefs captain Craig Clarke has revealed himself to be a keen student of the points table so he will be extremely satisfied with his team's lot as he prepares for a weekend off.

Brad Thorn has won more things than most players, and now he is experiencing life at the other end of the table.

The confirmation yesterday that the New Zealand Rugby Union is in talks about playing a test in Japan, probably Tokyo, later this year has shone a light on Steve Hansen's plans for his team's European trip.

When Conrad Smith sat down to renegotiate his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union last year he felt there was no way he could continue to the next World Cup.

A match worthy of a final and on this form there is every chance the Chiefs and Crusaders will meet again in the play-offs.

Hika Elliot's immediate goal is to help his Chiefs team beat the Crusaders in tonight's blockbuster in Hamilton but also high up on his to-do list is finding an ITM Cup team to play for this year.

Blues assistant coach Sir Graham Henry has criticised the match officials following his side's loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch, suggesting, among other things, that the television match official was "blind" and prop Wyatt Crockett "got away with murder".

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie believes Sir Graham Henry made some good points in his recent blast at the match officials, including the one about Wyatt Crockett's scrummaging technique.

Lyndon Bray has backed his match officials following Sir Graham Henry's blast yesterday (Tues) and has suggested the Blues' assistant coach could face sanctions for his comments.

He came the nearest of any Crusader to scoring a try against the Blues in their first encounter this season and made a statement when coming off the reserves bench against the Brumbies, yet Israel Dagg's failure to crack the starting XV tonight is down to his lack of confidence, says Todd Blackadder.

How important is mindset, mentality, head space - whatever you want to call it - in rugby? Almost everything, according to former All Blacks coach Wayne Smith.

Doug Howlett, the former mop-haired speedster with a knack for scoring tries at any level of the game, was always destined for success.

The All Blacks' outside backs, rather than the midfield, are Steve Hansen's biggest concerns heading into the June tests against France.