Latest from Best of Sport Analysis

Paul Lewis: Lifting law has to be tackled

The penalty for lifting tackle should be made so harsh that teams and players are persuaded never to do it, writes Paul Lewis.

Richard Loe: The pursuit of perfection is inviting trouble

Hugh McGahan: Emotions blur McKinnon reaction

The biggest issue in rugby league this week has been the reaction to the Alex McKinnon tragedy and the outpouring of support he has received.

Wynne Gray: Red-card Sanzar's blundering officials

Sanzar's file on referees' bloopers has gone to a new level.

Justin Marshall: Poor TMO decision did sloppy side a real favour

The Blues were a hard watch at the weekend, and that wasn't entirely down to referee Francisco Pastrana, although he must take some responsibility.

Chris Rattue: It's time to rewrite the rule book

New Zealand Herald sports columnist Chris Rattue watches a weekend of sport and decides it is time to change a few rules on the sporting landscape.

Wynne Gray: Stay-at-home fans have off button

Watching the latest Super Rugby round offered a graph stretching from exhilarating to turgid. The problem was they were successive matches.

Wynne Gray: Defensive weakness evident in stats

If you like your rugby loose with frequent scoreboard changes then head for Eden Park on Saturday.

Justin Marshall: Scrums eating up far too much time

If rugby bosses are serious about making the game more attractive for players, spectators and the television audience, they have to do something about the scrums.

Wynne Gray: Erratic best describes the Blues' early work

Consistency is not yet their forte as they wavered on the Highveld in Pretoria, teasing us they might conjure a late victory before falling 38-22 to the Bulls, writes Wynne Gray.

Michael Burgess: Shaky rearguard let down attack

Richard Loe: Limp Hurricanes in deep trouble already

Their defence seemed to be all over the place - even organisational maestro Conrad Smith was caught out a time or two, writes Richard Loe.

Paul Lewis: Does expansion add up?

There is a proposal to boost Super Rugby team numbers to 18, possibly basing the latest addition in Europe, writes Paul Lewis.

Chris Rattue: Old boys club at Crusaders struggling

Coaching inbreeding has turned the champs into comparative chumps, writes Chris Rattue. "That backline is about as exciting and instinctive as a North Korean political rally."

Dana Johannsen: NRL heads don't walk the walk on concussion

Even when presented with video evidence of a trainer shoving smelling salts under a player's nose, the NRL failed to act, writes Dana Johannsen.

David Leggat: Remarkable leader a real champ

Since Graeme Smith's debut in 2002, also on his home ground in Cape Town, the big lefthand opener has never ranked among the game's finest stylists, writes David Leggat.

Wynne Gray: Blues need grit before glory

John Kirwan is on a crusade to get more passion back into his side and stir more support from Aucklanders, writes Wynne Gray.

Justin Marshall: Killer instinct taking hold in Kirwan's men

If you're a fan of the Blues, you have every right to feel encouraged by what you saw on Friday night, writes Justin Marshall.