John Kirwan's shaky tenure at the Blues is in serious trouble, and the latest loss to the Cheetahs might be the beginning of the end for the coach, writes Chris Rattue.

This has been some road trip for the Hurricanes. Chris Boyd's side has made it three from three with a 42-13 victory over the Western Force in Perth.

Past history has shown that clashes between the Chiefs and Crusaders can be decided by a whistle and a kicking tee.

The Highlanders scored a late try through Waisake Naholo to earn their first win of the season against the Reds in Dunedin.

John Kirwan says his outnumbered Blues team ran themselves to exhaustion in making up for Hayden Triggs' red card in the loss to the Stormers.

Dane Coles will captain the Hurricanes for the first time this weekend when Chris Boyd’s side meet the Western Force in Perth.

Once upon a dreary Hamilton, while we stood on grass and watched on - Scotty Stephenson waxes lyrical on Super Rugby.

Jerome Kaino reaches a rare and well merited milestone when the Blues face the Cheetahs this weekend.

Only four teams are unbeaten after two weeks of Super Rugby. The Hurricanes, Stormers, Chiefs and Cheetahs are the teams who have not lost.

It's become like that in Blues territory. There is an acceptance they will find a way to lose as the slide in production and results persists, Wynne Gray writes.

What was pleasing about Super Rugby over the past weekend was the noticeable lift in skill level and intensity, and that was exemplified by the Crusaders, writes Justin Marshall.

Aweek after the concession of two "soft" tries did for the Blues in their Super Rugby opening round loss to the Chiefs.

A red card to Blues lock Hayden Triggs in the first half meant this match was as good as won by the home side at halftime.

Callum Gibbins spent the past two years heading to Hurricanes training at Rugby League Park in Newtown waiting for his opportunity.