Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has called George Moala a "very good man" after the midfielder's discharge without conviction on a bar brawl assault charge.

The lawyer for Blues rugby player George Moala has hit back at accusations New Zealand courts have become a "two-tier system of justice".

The case of late-blooming Blues hooker James Parsons has revealed just how nutty the All Black resting policy is, writes Chris Rattue

Richie McCaw is managing to temper his emotions ahead of the probable end of an era for several Crusaders teammates.

A leading law professor is concerned over the number of sports people being discharged without conviction saying a two-tier system is being set up.

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is likely to be told to cool it following his fiery display for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders.

Blues rugby player George Moala has been discharged without conviction over a charge stemming from a vicious bar fight.

Troubled former All Black Zac Guildford has ended his stint with French club Clermont Auvergne.

Steven Luatua will replace Jerome Kaino as skipper of the Blues and has challenged his team to finish their final five games of the season undefeated.

Selecting a fullback this week is taking on the sort of difficulty the selectors had picking a five-eighths during the last World Cup, writes Wynne Gray.

The Hurricanes are preparing to play without All Black star pivot Beauden Barrett.

Have the Highlanders fallen off the radar? Are they that unfashionable? They started this round of Super Rugby by maintaining their push for the playoffs with a great effort, writes Wynne Gray.

Typical Blues - they double their win tally for the season by beating the Force, only to have their success tarnished by the injuries to their best players.

There is a noticeable contrast in styles among the Kiwi teams and the two sides doing really well are the ones playing traditional New Zealand rugby.

The good news for the Chiefs is they have a fortnight to rectify what went wrong against the Rebels before they face the biggest game of the season.

Publicly, the Hurricanes don't want to discuss the playoffs but as their bumper season continues to roll along, it's the burning topic of conversation outside the team.

The Chiefs' struggles against Australian opposition were exemplified by a potentially damaging defeat against the Rebels tonight.

The Hurricanes beat the Crusaders in Wellington tonight and every one of their four tries were worthy of the highlights reel.

Colin Slade or Beauden Barrett? Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade? The starting order would not matter, the All Blacks would be happy with either at first five eighths.