Tonight in New Plymouth, if all goes to plan, will merely be the second instalment of a trilogy that decides the Super Rugby season.

The Chiefs' injury load is easing at the right time but they will still be without a pair of frontline forwards for tomorrow's showdown with the Hurricanes.

The Chiefs have pulled off what might be the best signing of 2015 by stealing the hugely promising Nepo Laulala from the Crusaders.

Matt Symons had myriad reasons to rush his return from concussion and get back on the field with the Chiefs.

The angst surrounding Sonny Bill Williams just may be unfounded.

The Chiefs were embarrassed by last week's loss to the Highlanders and that feeling needed to be rectified sooner or later.

Could there be any truth to the rumours across the Ditch that Sonny Bill Williams will sit out the rest of the series?

The Chiefs are unbeaten with Brodie Retallick in their ranks this season but, without the big lock, have lost more than they've won.

Liam Messam leads the way with 21 penalties and one yellow card, with Ben Franks (18 penalties) and Richie McCaw (17 penalties, plus one yellow card) also high-profile offenders.

Highlanders wings Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne showed their class as they scored tries during their team's 36-9 win over the Chiefs during the weekend, but where do they rank among the competition's best tackle-busters?

They were handed their worst defeat of the season and held tryless for the first time in 25 games - but the Chiefs' finals fate remains firmly in their control.

I have to be honest, when Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry rang me a couple of weeks ago I was more than a little surprised, writes Ross Filipo.

On a night that hearkened back to the franchise's formative years, the Highlanders created a little slice of history and remained right in the hunt for another.

Messam will miss tomorrow night's game against the Highlanders after a knock to his left shoulder during last weekend's win over the Bulls.

With three rounds to go in Super Rugby, the Herald checks out the remaining contenders and rates their title chances.

The clock is yet to strike midnight on Ross Filipo's fairytale return to the Chiefs.

Over the course of 68 immaculate minutes from Augustine Pulu, the Chiefs' halfback picture became much murkier.

The Chiefs once again showed they know exactly how to set aside a setback and keep on racking up the wins.

The loss of James Lowe would have seemed a grave blow for the Chiefs as recently as a week ago.

A loose forward, a commentator and a debutant - the Chiefs' locking crisis could create a rather unorthodox combination in the second row tomorrow night in Rotorua.

Chiefs hooker Hika Elliot has made a miraculous recovery from a serious neck injury, which has thrust him in to the discussion for All Black selection.