It will be the first time in two years Smith has not been available for the Highlanders. A leg infection, kept him in hospital across the Ditch for three nights

The Blues have held firm at Eden Park although apart from the win against the Force, they have been unable to find the same recipe away from HQ.

If it takes until their backs are against the wall for the Chiefs to find true form, then the champs are exactly where they want to be tonight.

There's surely no other Kiwi team that could take its fans this far into a post-season push and leave them hanging at the last minute on an all-Australian affair.

The first match in which Blues first-five Ihaia West plays with his short-term future secured could also be the one in which he feels the most pressure.

Ask his coach whether Brodie Retallick should be regarded the best lock in world rugby and Dave Rennie leaves little doubt.

If Mark Hammett wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat this week it could be following a nightmare about the amount of close losses the Hurricanes have suffered.

If the Blues have taken a step forward in 2014, they are about to take at least two back, writes Gregor Paul.

There's been a lot of chat recently about the decision-making at the Crusaders - and I was one who was critical of some of their selections, Writes Justin Marshall.

With only one week of the regular Super Rugby season left before the play-offs, where do the NZ teams currently stand, and what do they need to win? Find out here.

It’s possible Beauden Barrett is right and an offer from the Blues is in the pipeline.

I know people will be lining up to lay into Mark Hammett by asking 'what has he done in four seasons coaching the Hurricanes?' but I'm standing by him.

There's a fair chance the Waratahs will win Super Rugby this year and, in doing so, ignite a mini-panic - the Wallabies might be an emerging force.

The agony of defeat and their season ending with it will be hard enough for the Blues to deal with tomorrow morning.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Blues from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

No dice, Blues coach John Kirwan proclaimed this week when asked about a move to contract Beauden Barrett.

Twelve months ago it looked as if Tony Woodcock's grip on the All Blacks' No 1 jersey was slipping.

The Chiefs will live to fight another week after producing a timely display to condemn the Hurricanes to a damaging defeat in Hamilton tonight.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby showdown between the Chiefs and the Hurricanes from Waikato Stadium.