Foundation Super rugby commissioner Peter Thorburn remains a devout but perplexed follower of the professional competition.

After a loss and a draw to date on their tour, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie says it's essential his side triumph in the final fixture of their road trip.

Ellis Park, that bastion of South African rugby, is where the Crusaders will undergo a severe test of their spirit tomorrow morning.

After a steady start to the Super 15, Julian Savea exploded against the Crusaders.

The road trip blues continue for Sir John Kirwan following his side's loss against the Brumbies at a wet Canberra Stadium.

The Highlanders return to the cosy confines of Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin tonight to give us some great opportunities in round eight of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby.

The comeback against the Bulls was created by long-range raids but the Chiefs would be content with scoring in less spectacular style.

Something is happening at the Blues and Jerome Kaino and Ma'a Nonu are at the forefront of the revolution.

The Reds have suffered another blow to their injury-riddled outside back division with Lachie Turner forced out of their Super Rugby derby against the Force.

The Hurricanes won't lack for clear communication this weekend. As Mark Hammett's side welcome back Victor Vito and Cory Jane from their injuries, the international pair bring with them a dose of leadership.

Chiefs forwards coach Tom Coventry knows opposition sides will target his team's lineout - it's exactly what he would do.

The Blues are about to face an Australian side for the first time this season and the Brumbies' resurgent scrum, which has reaped two penalty tries in as many weeks, could pose a new set of problems.

These last few weeks have seen an increasing number of players indulge in unnecessary, cheap stuff that is designed to infuriate opponents, writes Gregor Paul.

Paul Gallen hopes Andrew Fifita will stay with Cronulla but the Sharks skipper says he isn't going to pressure the representative star to do so.

Former Blues coaches Joe Schmidt and David Nucifora are about to pool their rugby knowledge once more but this time their roles will be reversed.

The Blues' progress of the past fortnight is in danger of being derailed by injuries as they prepare to face the Brumbies in Canberra high on confidence but low on personnel.

Those with an interest in Blues rugby and mathematics would have been heartened by the sequence which unfolded at Eden Park.

The defending Super Rugby champion Chiefs are defying injuries, set-piece woes, savvy opponents and statistics to remain in pole position in the New Zealand conference.

As the Hurricanes struggled through an indifferent start to their Super Rugby campaign one thing never wavered.

The Blues might as well cut their losses on the Benji Marshall experiment before his alleged rugby union education causes a calamity, writes Chris Rattue.

Luke Romano's calf injury has forced him to miss the Crusaders' trip to South Africa.

It is the collective effort of the Blues in keeping the Highlanders try-less in their 30-12 victory at Eden Park which suggests John Kirwan's team are beginning to gain traction.

There's no place like home for the Queensland Reds, who highlighted their love of Suncorp Stadium with a pressure-relieving 22-17 victory over the Stormers.