A dark day for the franchise ended on a bright note when the Hurricanes clinched top spot for the first time in Super Rugby history.

Much of the speculative money this week has been on lock James Broadhurst getting an All Black call-up after the season-ending injury to Patrick Tuipulotu.

Join us at 7.30pm for a live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Highlanders.

Could there be any truth to the rumours across the Ditch that Sonny Bill Williams will sit out the rest of the series?

Brayden Mitchell was meant to be with the Hurricanes for only 10 weeks to slog through pre-season while All Blacks hooker Dane Coles took a break. He's still there.

Blues prop Angus Ta'avao is heading for the Waratahs next season as he eyes a way into test rugby.

Proposal will almost certainly be a compromise that would see Kirwan stay for a fourth and final year as head coach while the board looks for an alternative.

It's a tough call to make, with several sides having put together outstanding seasons in the 19-year history of the competition.

Liam Messam leads the way with 21 penalties and one yellow card, with Ben Franks (18 penalties) and Richie McCaw (17 penalties, plus one yellow card) also high-profile offenders.

Dom Shipperley says he's a better player than when he last appeared for the Wallabies and he's hoping for a chance to prove that.

Blues and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year after opting for surgery on a developmental defect with his hips.

The Crusaders are in a precarious tussle for the playoffs and surprisingly, are top of the pile in one department.

Highlanders wings Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne showed their class as they scored tries during their team's 36-9 win over the Chiefs during the weekend, but where do they rank among the competition's best tackle-busters?

Watching Robbie Deans lead the Barbarians to a good win over a strong Ireland side made me think - we could do much worse than getting him back into New Zealand's coaching system.

Into the spotlight for the Highlanders and exit stage left.

Some people saw Dan Carter. I saw Nemani Nadolo. Others heralded a Crusaders turnaround. I'd be more inclined to say the Hurricanes are in trouble.

They were handed their worst defeat of the season and held tryless for the first time in 25 games - but the Chiefs' finals fate remains firmly in their control.

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago but, presumably refreshed from their bye week, they still have an important role to play in terms of the final standings.

Daniel Carter, after a season of inching forward, took a giant step in the right direction against the Hurricanes in Nelson.