George Moala has played every minute of every game for Auckland this season, and the team's ironman has also just inked a new Super Rugby deal with the Blues as reward for his solid 2014 ITM Cup.

A concession by the Japanese bid to play a number of 'home' games in Singapore and Hong Kong is believed to have won them the 18th place in the new Super Rugby competition.

With three weeks left in the ITM Cup’s regular season, Daniel Richardson takes a look at what has happened so far.

The Blues will start next year's campaign with a home match against New Zealand rivals the Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium, a slightly controversial venue for their defeat to the Sharks this year.

Former All Blacks halfback Jimmy Cowan has signed with the Blues for next season, a move coach John Kirwan says will help make up for Piri Weepu's departure.

The All Blacks' already strong outside back division is about to get stronger with the possible addition in the next few weeks of Charles Piutau.

A lighting consultant from Hamilton has won the Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby game, claiming a $24,000 prize to South Africa.

The Highlanders have announced that 39-year-old Brad Thorn won't be back at the franchise in 2015 and is heading overseas.

Blues rugby star Tevita Li's bid to avoid a conviction after being caught drink driving has hit a stumbling block.

The All Blacks dropped gentle reminders yesterday that test football is all crunch and grind and an entirely different business from Super Rugby.

Former All Black and Super Rugby centurion Hosea Gear has signed with the Chiefs for the next Super Rugby season.

There might be a few players from the Crusaders who will have extra motivation in the All Blacks' camp this week.

All Black lock Sam Whitelock has defended himself and Crusaders teammates after images of them posing with dead big-game animals were posted online.

All Blacks' halfback Piri Weepu has farewelled New Zealand rugby with a special shout out to his fans, as he looks to end his glittering career with English club London Welsh.

Dan Carter's latest injury will be more evidence for those who believe the 32-year-old won't last until the next World Cup, or should be behind younger five-eighths.

Daniel Carter will not play any rugby for at least a month after breaking his leg in the Super Rugby final on Saturday.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has praised his Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo for walking away from racial abuse at a Christchurch bar last night.

One of Todd Blackadder's first acts on his return to Christchurch after the heartbreak of the final defeat will be to ensure his side have the best players possible for next year.

There will be global indifference felt towards the Waratahs' maiden title but massive satisfaction that Richie McCaw was cast as the villain in an epic final.

An ecstatic Adam Ashley-Cooper dubbed it "100 per cent the greatest moment in my rugby career" .

Evidently the Waratahs didn't hand any advantage to the Crusaders by shifting the final to Olympic Park.

The Crusaders began slowly, rose to a strong sequence deep in the Super 15 tournament, but could not close the deal.

Take another bow, Richie McCaw. Well, that's my position. There are others who may be hurling brickbats his way.

The Crusaders have been given a heroes' welcome following a heartbreaking last-minute loss in the Super Rugby final in Sydney.