Latest fromSuper Rugby

Rugby: Crusaders face up to life without McCaw
First Daniel Carter, now Richie McCaw - the Crusaders are going to have to claw their way back into Super Rugby without either of their star players featuring much before June.

Super Rugby: Fruean puts his former team under the pump
Barely half an hour into Super Rugby 2014 and the Chiefs managed to establish themselves as potential champions with a single play.

Richard Loe: Toddy's charges could do with a good dose of flair
The Crusaders haven't had the start they wanted but I wouldn't be too worried about their longer term prospects. Not yet, anyway, writes Richard Loe.

Rugby: Chiefs show championship credentials
It's early in the piece to be definitive, but the Chiefs gave a strong hint tonight that they can collect a third consecutive championship.

Wynne Gray: Defections prove cruel blow for Hurricanes
In any match the Hurricanes offer a chance of victory through counter-attack from scraps of possession, writes Wynne Gray.

Blues find their spark
This rollercoaster of a victory over the old enemy has eased the pressure on the Blues - and will also cause a fair bit of soul-searching in Christchurch.

As it happened: Blues v Crusaders
Join us here for live coverage of the Super Rugby match-up between the Blues and the Crusaders from Eden Park in Auckland.

Eye on the Crusaders
There are two things you can be sure of in life: a lame album from Cliff Richard at Christmas, and a lame start to the Super Rugby season from the Crusaders.

Uphill marathon for early losers
No team ever lost the Super Rugby title in the first week. But one could be about to lose it in the second.

Marshall's Chalkboard - The Crusaders' vertical formation
Justin Marshall explains what the Crusaders are trying to achieve with their vertical stacking formation on attack and why it's not working.

Patrick McKendry: Dropping a bombshell
Being dropped from a team due to lack of form is like a slap in the face, so one can only imagine what it must feel like for an All Black to be demoted at his Super Rugby franchise.

Season too punishing on players
The revolving doors on the Chiefs' medical room continue to turn and one of the defending champions' coaches thinks something's got to give.

Wynne Gray: Blackadder demonstrates zero tolerance for Dagg's lack of edge
Amid the chat about who would feel the selection blade for the Crusaders, Israel Dagg's demotion was not on the radar after the opening round, writes Wynne Gray.

Rookie ready to step up - JK
Sir John Kirwan has put his faith in 20-year-old first-five Simon Hickey, a player yet to make his Super Rugby debut.

Rugby: Blues upbeat in slow start
Amid the gloom of a disappointing start to the season by the Blues in Dunedin, there were glimpses of positivity.

Wynne Gray: New season, same old Blues
Every sports competition needs a stack of components to make it more intriguing and they gallantly delivered when Super Rugby kicked off, writes Wynne Gray.

Sky profit, shares soar
Sky Network TV's share price has rallied sharply after the company produced a 22pc lift in its first-half net profit, appearing to shrug off any threat from Telecom.

Rugby: Injuries add to the Blues problems as Crusaders loom
Two on the Blues' skimpy best list will miss the Crusaders' match and probably the side's trip to Africa.