Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has challenged his team to raise the bar for the all-important match against the leading New Zealand conference team, the Blues, in their round 17 Super match in Timaru on Saturday night.
Anton Oliver has stepped into the debate over the Highlanders' change of jersey colour by writing a strongly worded letter about the "foolish'' decision.
The Chiefs have made two changes to their starting XV for a Super 15 match against the Hurricanes in Hamilton on Friday night, with the inclusion of Dwayne Sweeney and Isaac Ross.
The Crusaders have made four changes to their starting XV to play Super 15 rivals the Blues in Timaru on Saturday night.
Neemia Tialata will play his 100th game for the Hurricanes when they face the Chiefs in a Super 15 match in Hamilton in Friday night.
Carisbrook may not have seen its final Super rugby match, as the Crusaders are reportedly keen on using the ground as a ''home'' venue if they host a finals match.
The Highlanders are still in the Super 15 playoff picture but will need a major form reversal and then hope other results go their way.
While Sonny Bill Williams prepares to extend his boxing resume with a bout tomorrow, Ma'a Nonu staked his claim for the All Blacks No 12 shirt both players covet with a top drawer performance in the Hurricanes' 38-27 Super 15 rugby win over the Lions.
The Chiefs continued to play the spoilers' role with relish, as they downed New Zealand conference leaders the Blues 16-11 in a Super 15 rugby match in Auckland tonight.
If ever there was a match for which motivation should not be lacking, then this is the one for the Highlanders.
Former All Black winger Rudi Wulf will rejoin the Blues for the next two Super 15 seasons.
Starting roles for halfback Piri Weepu and regular captain Andrew Hore are features of the Hurricanes team named today for a Super 15 match against the Lions in Wellington on Saturday.
Flanker Tanerau Latimer will make his return to Super 15 rugby for the Chiefs against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday night after an extended stretch on the sidelines.
Adam Thomson makes a welcome return to the Highlanders for Friday's clash against the Force in Dunedin, in what will be his 50th game for the franchise.
The Queensland Reds returned to the top of the Super rugby table by leapfrogging the Blues and maintaining their proud record at Suncorp Stadium with a contrasting 37-31 victory last night.
Australia's leading franchise survived a Blues resurgence either side of halftime before clearing out to record a bonus point victory.
Reds Quade Cooper
A last-minute penalty by Quade Cooper turned the mercurial Wallabies playmaker from potential villain to hero as the Reds underscored their Super rugby credentials with a pulsating 17-16 victory over the Crusaders before a record-breaking crowd at Suncorp Stadium today.
Crusaders captain Richie McCaw
Richie McCaw scratched his head -- and bit his tongue -- after the Crusaders captain conceded the last-minute penalty that enabled the table-topping Reds to snatch a 17-16 Super rugby victory at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium yesterday.
Lions flanker Michael Rhodes has copped a six-week ban for his wrestling-like tackle on Highlanders winger Siale Piutau during a Super 15 match in Dunedin on Friday night, but Piutau will not spend any time on the sidelines despite punching Rhodes twice in retaliation.
All Blacks Sonny Bill Williams and Brad Thorn return to the Crusaders' starting line-up for their Super 15 rugby match against the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday.
All Black contenders Wyatt Crockett and Corey Flynn have penned new deals with the Crusaders and the New Zealand Rugby Union.
