The Blues have pitched the persuasive Tana Umaga into full recruitment mode as they seek to secure Sonny Bill Williams.

Who were the winners and who were the losers from the sporting weekend? Wynne Gray and Chris Rattue make their picks.

COMMENT: Watching the Blues play the Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday, the character and promise within Tana Umaga's team was obvious.

COMMENT: Some teams will be pretty happy the international break has arrived and others will be disappointed. As a fan, I'm pretty annoyed.

The Blues are too far into their redevelopment to be enthused by brave defeats. They can't really shrug off losses any more as all being part of the learning curve.

The Blues, according to coach Tana Umaga, were tired this week.

The Blues gave themselves a chance to win against the Crusaders - and they didn't finish it.

Despite coming off a tough South African road trip, there was nothing tired about the Blues defence.

The Chiefs produced a woefully insufficient performance while being thoroughly outplayed by the Waratahs in Sydney.

Live coverage as the Hurricanes take on the Highlanders in a vital local derby.

The Hurricanes found revenge from last year's final after pipping the Highlanders thanks to Ardie Savea's last gasp try.

Losing tonight won't be terminal for the championship ambitions of the Highlanders or Hurricanes.

Adding some intrigue to the grudge match between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park tomorrow night is the impending departure of halfback Bryn Hall.

A knee injury has ruled Blues loose forward Tanerau Latimer out of the team to play the Crusaders at Eden Park.

Charlie Ngatai has picked exactly the wrong time to find himself caught up in the fog of concussion.

Sam Whitelock has been scratched from the Crusaders' team to play the Blues on Saturday.

Kris Shannon reviews the best players and most impressive teams from week 13 of Super Rugby action.

The attack showed signs of revival and the scrum was as strong as it's been all season but the Chiefs' win over the Rebels also brought a hefty dose of bad news.

In holding on to beat the Force in Perth, the Blues won two matches on their South African road trip for the first time in eight years.

COMMENT: It seems inevitable Super Rugby will expand again but I wonder where the extra teams will come from and what it will do to the game in NZ at provincial level.

Somehow the Blues managed to hang on to beat the Force and keep their faintest playoff hopes alive.

The Chiefs are back on top after riding an explosive first half to a bonus-point victory over the Rebels in Hamilton.

The Queensland Reds are breathing a sigh of relief after escaping potential Super Rugby embarrassment against the Sunwolves.