Taniela Tupou, the Reds prop known as the "Tongan Thor", has been named on the reserves bench this weekend.

Liam Messam will move to blindside flanker and Michael Leitch will start when the Chiefs take on the Blues.

The Blues' opening win said plenty about the coaching credentials of Tana Umaga.

Another convincing performance from Rieko Ioane in the No13 jersey against the Chiefs could keep his two midfield rivals on the bench

We know the likes of Julian Savea and Israel Dagg are the stats kings out of week one of Super Rugby but there is another name that stands out.

Tana Umaga has repaid his starting XV by retaining them for the crunch New Zealand derby match against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday.

Justin Bieber music has been banned from the Western Force gym this week, as players attempt to overcome their bumps and bruises in

The Hurricanes are expecting the Melbourne Rebels to be a more competitive unit than the Sunwolves were.

The reality of Super Rugby has quickly hit for rivals Scott Robertson and Tony Brown in their first seasons as head coaches. Both

If wondering how irrelevant week one of the Super Rugby season can be, the Hurricanes won't have far to look to find a relevant example.

Tana Umaga faces happy dilemma of whether to recall All Black pair.

COMMENT: There were some good individual and team performances and some inevitable rust as players go from pre-season to the competition proper.

The Crusaders have suffered a serious injury blow in the opening week of the season, with Richie Mo'unga breaking his hand.

COMMENT: Chris Rattue wonders - Are witnessing the most savage decline of a rugby superstar?

Live updates of the Super Rugby opening round clash between the Stormers and Bulls.

Live updates of the Super Rugby opening round clash between the Kings and Jaguares.

Live updates of the Super Rugby opening round clash between the Cheetahs and Lions.

Live updates of the Super Rugby opening round clash between the Waratahs and the Force.

If ever there was a game to illustrate all that is wrong with Super Rugby, it was Thursday night's opener in Melbourne.

Hurricanes stalwart Cory Jane is set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a training ground neck injury.

All Blacks and Highlanders fullback Ben Smith is likely to miss the next few weeks of Super Rugby.

Lions rugby coach Warren Gatland laid down the challenge this week, so we've picked it up.

Live updates of the Super Rugby opening round clash between the Reds and the Sharks.

It was a dramatic way for the Chiefs to snap their run of six defeats at the hands of their southern rivals.

Former ARU boss says Argentina, Japan and a South African team should be dumped from Super Rugby - but don't touch the Aussie teams.

All the action from the Super Rugby opening round Kiwi derby between the Highlanders and the Chiefs.

It's early days, but it's not difficult to foresee a few more of those performances from the Blues this season.

Burdening a youngster with expectation is always a dangerous game but it's not easy to hold back when it comes to Rieko Ioane.

The Blues are on top of the Super Rugby table...not only leading but they are a clear five points ahead. This is the year of the Blues!

Comeback is going to make it even harder for all five NZ sides to get ahead of rivals.