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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Give the Super Rugby trophy to the Waratahs now. Bookies in NZ are clinging to the notion that the Crusaders are on a roll, but Wynne Gray doubts that.

Mic Check versus the Silver Fox. The sub-plots in finals week are almost as interesting as the Big Show. The volatile Michael Cheika versus the understated Todd Blackadder.

In today's column I want to have an in-depth look at Nemani Nadolo and the way the Crusaders have improved him out of sight and vice versa.

The week of a grand final can be difficult to get right in terms of preparation, but for the Crusaders the experience of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read is shining through.