Nothing in the rules prevents the Lions from leaving their top team at home, but is it fair?

Lions coach Johan Ackermann has named a second string side for Sunday's Super Rugby match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires. Ackermann

A telling statistic proves just how hard the Blues have had it this season.

Steven Luatua may have thrust his name before the All Blacks selectors again in the last two Super Rugby rounds.

Ngani Laumape looks like he will be starting in the Hurricanes' midfield against the Crusaders and the former Warrior says he is up for it.

Integrity of the competition is only part of the problem with Super Rugby's current set up - player welfare is just as big.

COMMENT: Having to play every Australian side this season has been nothing short of a gift from above, writes Scotty Stevenson.

Ngani Laumape looks like he will be starting in the Hurricanes' midfield against the Crusaders and the former Warrior says he is up

Steven Luatua may well have thrust his name before the All Blacks selectors again in the last two Super Rugby rounds. The 25-year-old

Former All Black Daryl Gibson, now the Waratahs coach, has warned Australian rugby not to panic after its weekend of shame when their

There was off-the-ball pushing and a suspicion of a foot trip. There was blood streaming from first-five Bernard Foley's face after

The defending champions face a long trip overseas for the playoffs despite just arriving back from their South Africa and Argentina stint.

All Black Cory Jane believes the Kiwi dominance in Super Rugby won't necessarily translate to the Bledisloe Cup.

COMMENT: Where is that depth coming through in Super Rugby? It isn't there, they aren't performing. It's a big issue.

Matt Duffie takes a leap out of the AFL rules book to make his Super Rugby mark.

Damian McKenzie will now attempt to apply those lessons in a showdown with Ben Smith and the defending-champion Highlanders.

The Crusaders will target the Hurricanes scrum and an untried new midfield combination in Saturday's high stakes contest in Christchurch.

Four NZ teams will contest the playoffs after a spectacular weekend for the Kiwis and a miserable one for the Australians.

The Highlanders have secured a place in the Super Rugby finals with a bonus point 34-8 win over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

WATCH: The Hurricanes got the party started in Sydney by belting out a Ronan Keating classic with the Irish singer-songwriter.

With one round to go, players and coaches will be labouring the importance of taking home advantage into the Super Rugby playoffs.

The Hurricanes set the seal on a disastrous weekend for Australian teams in Super Rugby with their 28-17 win over the Waratahs.

The Crusaders will be feeling good about life again. There's nothing quite like a proper thumping to warm the cockles.

A host of Western Force players face a nervous wait after the ARU integrity unit was called to investigate the team's ill-disciplined tour of South Africa.

The Hurricanes hit the cauldron of Allianz Stadium in Sydney tonight knowing their playoffs ticket can be booked with a victory over the fired-up Waratahs.

The Chiefs easily secured the bonus-point victory they needed to solidify top spot in the New Zealand conference.

There might be a few teams in the top eight relieved that Tana Umaga's rejuvenated Blues won't feature in the playoffs.

The Blues are definitely a better team now than they were and, if they had a bit more time, they could push up the table.

A spectacular start has helped the Blues to a big victory over the Brumbies at Eden Park.

With 75 caps behind him, Sam Whitelock is gaining on Ian Jones (79 tests) as the most capped All Black lock.