The hunt for a victory continues for the Highlanders. For the Crusaders, a different quest - how to rediscover their attacking edge.

Join us here for our live blog of the Crusaders taking on the Highlanders from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The Crusaders perform best when they play with desperation and a burning sense of injustice, so the Highlanders would be advised to prepare to dodge the metaphorical kitchen sink in Christchurch tonight.

Multiple pitch invasions in the final minutes of the thrilling Western Force defeat of the Crusaders in Perth last night have been described as "unacceptable''.

The Crusaders were due to fly out of Perth two hours after their defeat to the Western Force - and they played like they had a plane to catch.

Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw will miss the Super 15 and tune up for his All Black return with club rugby.

The Crusaders' chances of winning the Super rugby competition were severely hit last season when No8 Kieran Read was unavailable for the semifinal against the Chiefs because of a rib injury.

The so-called "lesser" teams have enjoyed a habit of beating the Crusaders over the past four seasons, so it's probably a good thing that Todd Blackadder has named a strong line-up to play the Southern Kings in Christchurch tonight.

With his alcohol issues resolved, Zac Guildford's return to the Crusaders is a massive boost for a team struggling for attacking inspiration, says Patrick McKendry.

Zac Guildford says he has to earn back trust and respect after being reinstated to professional rugby by the NZRU this morning, after allegedly punching a partygoer.

There's something to be said for having a gun goal-kicker and Beauden Barrett showed exactly why that's the case at Westpac Stadium last night.

As Owen Franks prepares to go head to head in a match against his brother, Ben, for the first time, he has revealed he would have left the Crusaders in search of more game time if his elder sibling hadn't.

My phone ran hot with crowing texts and calls after the Blues' victory over the Crusaders. I guess I deserved it as, when I was put on the spot on the radio, I had to go with the Crusaders.