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.

Warriors back-rower Feleti Mateo says his side need to be on their guard when they face the struggling Cronulla Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow.

I never want the Wallabies to win - unless they are playing England. And I have no desire for any Australian sides to succeed in the Super 15.

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.

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

The irony of Crusaders legend Andrew Mehrtens playing a significant role in the downfall of his old team was not lost on Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.

Analysis of the Crusaders' 2014 Super Rugby campaign will no doubt focus on the final five minutes at Homebush on Saturday night.

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

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

Blues rugby star Peter Saili is under investigation by police over an alleged assault.

It's understandable that, for a lot of people, last night's Super Rugby final was being viewed as a kind of unofficial third Bledisloe Cup test.

Fairytales do come true after all. The Waratahs, after 18 seasons of underachievement, finally won their first Super Rugby title tonight.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby final between the Crusaders and the Waratahs in Sydney.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read caused a minor controversy ahead of tonight's Super Rugby final when he left a captain's photo opportunity before his Waratahs counterpart Michael Hooper arrived.

For Dan Carter, match day doesn't change, no matter the occasion or the opposition.

History shows there have been 18 hyped-up yet fruitless campaigns for the Waratahs.

Australians are irrepressible. Admirably so. This time 12 months ago rugby was the black sheep of their respective football codes - scarily close to oblivion.

An avid Chiefs supporter is switching his Super Rugby allegiance - but just for one night.

You can't miss him. Jacques Potgieter is the bloke with the lank black hair and a disregard for his own safety.