John Kirwan has received the backing of Blues chief executive Michael Redman following the team's defeat to the Lions, which has left them in last place in the competition.

After watching his team blow a 10-3 lead to the bottom-placed team in the competition for their fourth defeat in four games in 2015 Kirwan said: "I like moments like this. Men need to stand up, so bring it on."

A match the Blues should have won, needed to desperately to win for themselves and coach John Kirwan, was spilled, fumbled and thrown away.

The only thing more humiliating about being dragged into a dog fight with the Lions, is being dragged into that fight and then losing.

Marty Banks kicked two penalties in the final five minutes to overturn a deficit and help the Highlanders to a last-minute win over the Chiefs.

If the Blues are to turn their season aroundthey need to chalk up more than a solitary victory against the Lions, writes Gregor Paul.

Editorial: John Kirwan is clearly on borrowed time.

Join us here for the live blog of tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium.

The worrying thing for Kirwan is when reports broke that the Blues were tapping up a replacement, no one contested the sense of such a decision, writes Gregor Paul.

The Blues have hit back at a report they are sounding out replacements for coach John Kirwan.

I have a lot of concern for Hurricanes fans right now. They are getting their hopes up and getting far too excited.

The news of Rene Ranger's return to the Blues was given extra poignancy yesterday, released as it was straight before coach John Kirwan was effectively asked to defend his side's poor start.

The problem with a guy like Johan Bardoul is this: you never quite know whether or not you should be taking him seriously.

They're traditionally slow starters in Super Rugby but losses to the Rebels and the Chiefs and an unconvincing win over the Highlanders may have some alarm bells ringing in Christchurch.

The game against the Chiefs got away from them but I certainly wouldn't be pushing any panic buttons with the Crusaders just yet, writes Justin Marshall.

A victory over the Lions will open the release valve a little, but there will be little respite because the Blues' assignments to follow are extremely tough ones.

Saturday night's 40-16 win at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton saw the Chiefs' late blitz break open the game and confound those expecting the latest tense chapter in this rivalry.

Three weeks into the season and it's apparent Tom Taylor and the Blues should have become an item, so to speak, at the end of last year.

Aaron Cruden would have wanted a big game, facing the man that could spoil his World Cup, and the Chiefs pivot did indeed impress.

I hope the Hurricanes, who have won their opening three games on the road, don't get back to Wellington and think the hard work is done. It's only just beginning, writes Richard Loe.

Chris Boyd's Hurricanes are happy, healthy and unbeaten and his toughest challenge in the next few weeks will be deciding which line-up to run, given nobody in his squad is out of form.