A sublime first-half performance propelled the Crusaders into their 10th Super rugby final after they downed the Stormers 29-10 at Newlands in Cape Town this morning.
The Quade Cooper-inspired Queensland Reds closed in on their first Super rugby title by ending the Blues quest for a fourth championship at Suncorp Stadium last night.
All Black fullback Mils Muliaina has questioned the wisdom of changing the format of Super rugby to extend the season in a World Cup year.
[image[All Black midfielder Ma'a Nonu has resisted overtures from offshore Super 15 franchises to sign a two-year deal with the Blues.
Openside flanker Richie McCaw has been named to lead the Crusaders for their Super 15 semifinal against the Stormers in Capte Town on Sunday morning (NZtime).
Blues first five-eighth Stephen Brett today confirmed he will play his rugby in Japan next year after signing a two-year contract with the Toyota Verblitz club.
The Blues team has been named to play the Queensland Reds in a Super 15 semifinal in Brisbane on Saturday night.
The Blues are still in business, poised for another sudden-death Super 15 match overseas after their elimination finals 26-13 win against the Waratahs.
The New Zealand Warriors will have a simple goal in Auckland on Sunday as they try to arrest a three-match losing streak in the National Rugby League.
Former All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett has been an outstanding front-row performer for the Crusaders throughout the Super Rugby campaign, and the tall loose-head wants to turn heads, especially those of the All Blacks selectors, during the finals play-offs.
Josh Holmes was today picked to start at halfback for the injury-hit New South Wales Waratahs in their Super 15 rugby semifinal qualifier against the Blues in Auckland tomorrow night.
Veteran Stefan Terblanche is bracing himself for a bruising experience in what may well prove to be his Super 15 rugby farewell on Saturday.
The stakes might have gone up, but the Blues are looking to avoid the over-cautious route in their sudden-death Super 15 rugby semifinal qualifier against the New South Wales Waratahs in Auckland tomorrow night.
Key Crusaders backline players Sonny Bill Williams and Sean Maitland have recovered from injury and have been named in the starting line-up for their Super 15 semifinals qualifier against the Sharks in Nelson on Saturday.
Blues coach Pat Lam can not get away from the Waratahs.
It was a season which started so well, peaked at Easter, then fell away somewhat at the end. But it was still a season of real progress for the Highlanders, under new coach Jamie Joseph. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks back on the season.
A football-style penalty kick shootout may decide the winner of rugby's Super 15 competition.
Photos from the Highlanders' Super 15 clash against the Blues at Eden park in Auckland on Friday night. The Blues won 33-16.
The Sharks ended the reign of two-time defending champions the Bulls with a thrilling 26-23 win in the final round of Super 15 rugby's regular season on Saturday.
The farewell party for a number of Chiefs rugby notables will not include a winning cake as the Reds have shown why they head the Super 15 standings.
