Auckland Blues captain Ali Williams looks like a man revitalised, claiming to be in the best shape of his life.

The Highlanders' new big three have arrived and with them new challenges for head coach Jamie Joseph.

Zac Guildford may need a break from rugby for a number of years but should not be cut adrift, people closely involved with rehabilitating other athletes say.

When Zac Guildford is sidelined for his latest alcohol-related incident - and unfortunately for him and the Crusaders it is a foregone conclusion - he won't be the only one to pay the price.

All Blacks wing Zac Guildford has voluntarily stood down from involvement with the Crusaders after a late-night incident at a residential home in Christchurch last weekend.

During the ITM Cup, new Chiefs midfielder Bundee Aki would have had few troubles producing a skite tape to impress the coaching staff of the Super Rugby champions.

A good season for the Chiefs has often meant something relatively trivial like winning more games than they lost. Starting badly and finishing with a pointless roar was their speciality.