Things looked fairly awful at the Wellington Lions last year when he was in charge and no better with his other team - the New Zealand under-20s, Richard Loe writes.

A Cheetahs implosion or a Crusaders miracle - it doesn't matter. Al that does is that midway through the second half last night the Crusaders came alive.

One week they had a spectacular scrum and an impotent attack. Seven days later the situation was reversed.

Salvage theories about the Blues will continue to grow as the team remains winless this season and cast at the bottom of the points table.

Brumbies flanker Jarrad Butler is the man getting in the way of Super Rugby's most eagerly awaited match-up - and he couldn't care less.

Hurricanes preserve their unbeaten record for the season with hard-fought win over unlucky Highlanders.

James Lowe and Bryce Heem have already added much-needed bite to the Chiefs' backline this season and the pair will again be called upon this Sunday in Durban.

As the Blues search for answers to their tumbling fortunes, they should be looking up the Japanese and Welsh phone directories, writes Wynne Gray.

The two sides with the best tackling percentages in Super Rugby sit at opposite ends of the ladder.

Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe has a simple message for Sir John Kirwan - resign.

At the start of the season it was mentioned that the Highlanders had a tough draw and how important it was that they got away to a good start because they're going to feel the brunt at the end with....

The Blues' players are now on a bye week which represents a few days off to get away from what is becoming a train-wreck of a season.

Some teams would wilt in the face of a formidable Stormers defence that appeared determined to dominate the collision from the outset.

Paul Lewis explains why Sir John Kirwan should stay as coach of the Blues, even after what happened against the Hurricanes.

The John Kirwan coaching era began in a blaze of glory against the Hurricanes in Wellington two years ago.

What the Hurricanes have been doing well is taking the gainline. That's where the battle is so often won and lost, writes Ross Fillipo.