The Blues passed a heavyweight exam tonight as they soaked up all the competition benchmark Crusaders could throw at them then surged to an exhilarating victory.

Talk of a new, up-tempo, style of play at the Crusaders from coach Todd Blackadder begs the question - are we going to see wholesale changes at Eden Park tonight from the red and blacks? The short answer is: No.

Offseason spent with plenty of neck work, heavy squats and working on technique means loosehead is ready and able to fill Woodcock's big boots for Blues.

Just one proper round into the Super 15 and after a small sample size of performances, Fantasy players who struggled last week have to make a decision - stick to their initial instincts or panic and pick the in-form players.

After 10 years of disappointment, Blues fans finally have reason to believe the glory days may be returning.

Gregor Paul ranks the Super 15 teams ahead of the competition's third round.

Mystery hovers over the Blues and Crusaders as they prepare for their Super 15 duel tomorrow at Eden Park.

It will take a lot more than a romp against an insipid Hurricanes outfit before this punter gets remotely excited about the Blues.

Conrad Smith has given his Hurricanes team a big boost after being named in the side to play the Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

Blues centre Rene Ranger is said to be on his way to French club Montpellier and will leave the Blues at the end of the season, according to reports.

Tracey Nelson looks at the key statistics from the opening round of Super 15 action.

For a speedster, Frank Halai has been a slow burn in rugby. He bumped around in provincial rugby for Counties and Waikato, starred at sevens for Gordon Tietjens but, at almost 25, has just made his Super 15 debut for the Blues.

Struggles may not be over but the signs are looking promising for Sir John Kirwan's men.

Richard Kahui sees himself as unlucky rather than being a victim of a position that takes lumps out of even the most robust.