Super Rugby's new format has been endorsed by New Zealand's players but commerce teams around the country may take more convincing after seeing their most lucrative income stream cut by 25 per cent.

Richie McCaw has proven time again that he can find form straight after an injury break and Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder will be hoping to see those qualities tomorrow.

As surprise packages go, Patrick Tuipulotu is hard to miss. At 1.98m and 120kg, the 21-year-old Tuipulotu is one of the biggest men in the Blues squad and the way he plays makes him stand out even more.

The merry-go-round that is the Chiefs' backline continues to spin as last season's leading scorers seek to once more turn possession into their own personal playground.

He's only one man. Well ... that's how the Hurricanes see Waratahs fullback Israel Folau. But Folau is playing like a man possessed this season, racking up huge numbers in Super Rugby as opposition defences struggle to contain him.

Sir John Kirwan says Steven Luatua is going through a "difficult time" in terms of his form, but Jerome Kaino, a loose forward built on similar lines who took time to fulfil his promise, believes the 23-year-old is on the right track.

The Chiefs have stripped bare their slumping attack in search of more excitement against the Lions this weekend.

A sore ankle won't be enough to stop Will Genia sharing in a significant milestone with Queensland Reds teammate Quade Cooper.

Hurricanes supporters rejoice, for the moment, at least. Not only is your team leading the New Zealand conference in the second half of the season.

This time last season the Highlanders were taking hits from all directions.

Their form remains a concern but the number of Chiefs ruled out through concussion represents an additional headache for Dave Rennie.

The Western Force were left singing in the rain after producing their trademark grit in a 15-9 win over the Bulls in Saturday night's Super Rugby clash in Perth.

The Queensland Reds are poised to rush Wallabies breakaway Liam Gill back from injury as they attempt to dig their way out of a deepening Super Rugby hole.

Blues captain Luke Braid's injured shoulder is likely to keep him out of the next game against the Reds.

Benji Marshall has gone, Baden Kerr has missed the entire season on the back of not much last year and Chris Noakes continues to graft around his limitations.

Simon Hickey is raw, likely to make a few critical mistakes and run down some dead alleys.

In a topsy-turvy weekend that delivered an unexpected win for the Highlanders and a royal thumping for the Chiefs, it was arguably the resting Crusaders who were the biggest winners.

Auckland rugby fans say superstar Dan Carter would be a crowd-pleaser if he signed for the Blues, but his deep Canterbury roots will be hard to sever.

The sad business of Benji Marshall's failed code-hop has dangerously sharpened the focus on Blues coach John Kirwan, writes Paul Lewis.