It might not be a wise idea to be cautiously optimistic about the Blues' chances this year in the wake of a first round defeat, but they did enough for judgement to at least be reserved.

No surprise the Blues came second. Not against the Chiefs who have hovered around the top of the competition for the last few years while the Blues have puttered along in their own slurry.

Live updates of the Super Rugby encounter between the Blues and Chiefs at North Harbour Stadium.

Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.

With Minnesota Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison visiting training this week, it's tempting to ponder how some of the Blues' best would handle a job swap.

The consistency that set the Chiefs apart during their title campaigns suddenly disappeared, the two-time defending champions winning their first three games but never enjoying another such streak.

The shadow of two World Cups hangs over Super Rugby, which kicks off next Friday, February 13.

If the strength of a Super Rugby franchise is through its squad depth, then the Chiefs should be on to a winner in Sean Polwart.

Unlike others who often leave NZ rugby after switching allegiance to a Pacific Island nation, Tim Nanai-Williams is keen to stick with the Chiefs.

Successful sports teams always tinker and work on their next ideas. The All Blacks are top of the world ratings and continue to unpick and remodel their strategies.

New Zealand's five Super Rugby teams will announce their squads for the 2015 season this morning. Join us for live updates as the teams are rolled out.

Former All Black and Super Rugby centurion Hosea Gear has signed with the Chiefs for the next Super Rugby season.

An avid Chiefs supporter is switching his Super Rugby allegiance - but just for one night.

What a maddening night for the Chiefs. Their dream is over. They won't win their third successive title and they will only have themselves to blame.

Watch a replay of tonight's live updates from the Super Rugby playoff match between the Chiefs and the Brumbies from GIO Stadium in Canberra.

Of the eight new names to be announced among the Chiefs ranks in Canberra tonight, one will reverberate around GIO Stadium a little louder than most.

Changes will be few when the Chiefs travel to tackle the Brumbies this weekend, but there is one aspect the champs would ideally alter.

Same old same old? The Chiefs are once again in the race for the Super Rugby crown, seeking to extend their success into a third season.

Aaron Cruden, his voice all but gone after shouting instructions to the Chiefs throughout their gritty victory over the Blues in the wet and wild conditions at Eden Park.

They have wobbled and battled, scrambled and scraped their way to the final six without ever looking convincing and yet now they are in the playoffs, the Chiefs have the look of champions.

The Chiefs have kept their hopes of three consecutive Super Rugby titles alive with a win over the Blues at Eden Park tonight.

He arrived under a metaphoric cloud, left under a literal one and yet Ma'a Nonu was nothing but a little ray of sunshine in his second stint with the Blues.