The provinces had become disenchanted with the Hurricanes in recent years but their first pre-season match of 2015 in Eketahuna on January 31 changed all that.

Ticket scalpers have targeted rugby fans but Steven Joyce says there's no need to change scalping laws.

When Highlanders co-captain Nasi Manu wants to relax he strums his ukulele. His choice of song will vary but he might roll out something from the Lion King movie.

The Super Rugby final features some crucial match-ups and key battles.

The Hurricanes will likely wait until Thursday to make a call on injured players Ardie Savea, Nehe Milner-Skudder and Cory Jane ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby final against the Highlanders in Wellington.

Tickets for the much anticipated clash between the Hurricanes and Highlanders at Westpac Stadium on Saturday sold out in less than a minute.

The lineout drive was meant to be a pet play of the Brumbies.

We've got the two best teams going head to head and you wouldn't put your house on the winner, writes Justin Marshall.

High demand has forced Air New Zealand to put on extra flights for fans wanting to travel to the Super Rugby final in Wellington next weekend.

The grapes were very sour in Sydney as the Highlanders hillbilly forwards soaked up all the hometown posturing - then rattled to the winning post, writes Wynne Gray.

The perfect swansong is nearly complete for two of the most iconic Hurricanes, when they face off against the Highlanders next week.

No rowdy revellers played up as they watched the Hurricanes dispose of the Brumbies 29-9 in the Super Rugby semifinal last night.

It has been nine years since two Kiwi sides have met in the Super Rugby final, but that streak will be snapped come Saturday

Pick any quality and the Highlanders showed it in Sydney tonight to make it an all New Zealand final.

For 40 minutes, Nehe Milner-Skudder terrorised the Brumbies before he was taken out of the semifinal so as not to tempt fate with his tight hamstring.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby semifinal between the Highlanders and the Waratahs.

The Hurricanes are only one win away from a maiden Super Rugby title.

History has not been kind to the Highlanders - but they have proven history to be irrelevant time and time again.

Milner-Skudder joined the Hurricanes as a wider training group member last season and skipper Conrad Smith said he caught the eye of the senior players on the training paddock.

Tana Umaga faces a mammoth task in resuscitating the Blues, but Gregor Paul believes he can do it.

From playing rugby with an old plastic bottle to pulling on the black jersey, Waisake Naholo's path to the top has not been straightforward.

By the time the Samoa test rolls around next month, Richie McCaw will be forgiven for feeling a little stir crazy.

The key to victory for both New Zealand teams on semifinal weekend will be the way they deal with the opposition openside flankers.

Where will the match turn, what can we look for to see who's getting some traction? Wynne Gray provides the analysis.