John Kirwan is preparing to receive a high-powered reinforcement in the form of returning fullback Charles Piutau

Just when McCaw was getting some traction and form, he's back on the sidelines with a broken rib, writes Brian Ashby.

The Chiefs are hoping some "top secret" changes made during the June break can propel them towards the Super Rugby playoffs.

Loose forward Luke Braid will see out the Blues' season and then go under the knife, possibly on both his shoulders, which have troubled him the last two years.

The Blues have secured their spot in the 2024 Super Rugby finals, beating the Brumbies 34-20. Video / Sky Sport

Chris Boyd and John Plumtree have been named as the Hurricanes new coaches for next season.

It sounds incongruous but Aaron Cruden will benefit from the reduction in responsibility that arrives in the All Black environment.

Melbourne Rebels back Jason Woodward has agreed to a two-year deal with the Hurricanes, allowing him to pursue a childhood dream of playing for the All Blacks.

Ihaia West's performance in the Blues' big victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday night proved he is not only at home at this level.

Apart from the failure to gain a bonus point in their victory over the Force in Christchurch, the past weekend couldn't have gone any better for the Crusaders.

The Brumbies kept their Super Rugby season alive with a 37-10 bonus point win over the Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.

The Blues will be denied access to their most influential and arguably best asset until round eight of Super Rugby next year, as Eden Park is off-limits until early April due to the Cricket World Cup.

Strange business this Super Rugby competition. It takes a three-week break now and yet it's in the hiatus where it has previously been won and lost.

Relive all the action from the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Hurricanes from Eden Park in Auckland

The Chiefs' title defence suffered a serious blow in the Waratahs' gutsy win and the question now for the defending champions will be whether they can even make the playoffs

Something had to change when Stuart Lancaster took over. England had to shelve the arrogance which surrounded them, writes Wynne Gray.

The rise of Simon Hickey from the Blues' wider training group to starting No 10 makes you realise things can change quickly in professional rugby.

Steven Luatua, a standout for the Blues last year but unable to break into the starting line-up this season, is set to miss the All Blacks cut when the final squad is named in Auckland tomorrow.

The Chiefs have designs of far greater significance than merely winning the match when they meet the Waratahs this afternoon.

Back rower Jake Schatz's second try of the night two minutes after the fulltime siren gave Queensland a 38-31 Super Rugby win over the Highlanders after the Reds nearly blew a 21-point halftime lead.