I have to be honest, when Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry rang me a couple of weeks ago I was more than a little surprised, writes Ross Filipo.

On a night that hearkened back to the franchise's formative years, the Highlanders created a little slice of history and remained right in the hunt for another.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Chiefs in Invercargill.

With All Blacks on his inside going through injury-disrupted campaigns, Charlie Ngatai's chase for higher honours has made him the rock of the Chiefs' backline.

Beauden Barrett's calm influence was sorely missed during the Hurricanes' 35-18 loss to the Crusaders in Nelson tonight

Messam will miss tomorrow night's game against the Highlanders after a knock to his left shoulder during last weekend's win over the Bulls.

With three rounds of the Super Rugby regular competition remaining, our experts answer some of the vital questions that will define the season.

It's taken time but the Hurricanes are more than competitive and have led the charge in the competition this year with 12 wins from 13 games under new coach Chris Boyd.

With three rounds to go in Super Rugby, the Herald checks out the remaining contenders and rates their title chances.

Conrad Smith can board a plane to France at the end of the year knowing the future of the Hurricanes is in safe hands.

The clock is yet to strike midnight on Ross Filipo's fairytale return to the Chiefs.

After presiding over the departures of a growing number of talented young men from the game, NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew will today announce some good news - the signings of Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea.

There are three weeks to go in Super Rugby's regular season and few things about the playoff picture are clear given 10 teams are still in the hunt to claim six spots.

There are three rounds left in the Super Rugby season and the Hurricanes can confirm top spot on Friday night.

If the Crusaders miss the playoffs they will look back on many frustrating matches this season.

Over the course of 68 immaculate minutes from Augustine Pulu, the Chiefs' halfback picture became much murkier.