Latest from Super Rugby

Super Rugby: Depleted Chiefs rise to occasion

The injuries continue to mount and the possession stats are still deficient, but the Chiefs keep on winning.

Richard Loe: Coaches prepared for crisis

The Chiefs had injury dramas before they played the Crusaders, now they have even more but frankly, I doubt whether it will slow them down much, writes Richard Loe.

First take: Blues mantra needs fixing

Highlanders hold on over Blues

This was a Mulligan for the Blues - a duff drive off the first tee that they can discard and start counting proper as of now.

As it happened: Highlanders v Blues

Join us here for our live blog of the Super Rugby match between the Highlanders and the Blues from Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Hard yards pay off for lock

Every year there's at least one player in each Super rugby team who finds another level during pre-season and bursts into contention to make the starting lineup.

Patrick McKendry: Super 17 it is - but many questions remain

The latest information released by Super Rugby's governing body Sanzar about the competition's proposed new format is heavy on possibility but light on detail, writes Patrick McKendry.

Wynne Gray: Braid has true Blues attitude for captaincy

The golden season and personal gilt for Brendon McCullum shut the lid on the commotion about captaincy of the New Zealand cricket side.

Rugby: Nomad Triggs answers Blues' SOS

Rugby nomad Hayden Triggs was looking for a new job away from the game when he received the SOS call from Blues coach Sir John Kirwan.

Super Rugby: Hooker aims to maintain pressure

Blues hooker James Parsons, one of the team's early surprise packages last year, has been given a chance to replicate that form with a start against the Highlanders.

Presence of Nonu more help

It was no less an authority than Conrad Smith who remarked last year that Francis Saili reminded him of a young Ma'a Nonu.

Super Rugby: Lack of outstanding first five

It's easy to say this is the year the Blues have to deliver. That anything outside the playoffs simply isn't acceptable for the team based in New Zealand's largest city.

Super Rugby: Brumbies backs are best since 2004

Wallabies great Joe Roff believes the current crop of Brumbies backs are on the verge of eclipsing the star-studded 2004 backline that won the Super rugby championship.

Super Rugby: Time to deliver results

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan was asked this week about the pressure on him this season, his second as head coach.

Marshall to debut off bench

Moneyball: TAB confused by first round fixtures

Eye on the Chiefs

This Chiefs appear as well-equipped as any champions to rise above the impediments and repeat their Super Rugby success.

Hammett picks new faces for Hurricanes