To fix Rene Ranger's faulty and bulging spinal disc, surgeons in May last year replaced it with a small metal cage, a titanium plate and screws.

Shortly before battles the Blues, Aaron Cruden will take a marker and etch a couple of commands on his wristband.

Highlanders pivot Lima Sopoaga has revealed what he needs to improve in order to impress the All Black selectors.

There has to be a reasonable chance that Sanzaar, against unbelievably stiff competition, runs the world's worst judicial system writes Gregor Paul.

Wallabies and Brumbies flanker pens heartfelt apology over incident that resulted in the first suspension of his Super Rugby career.

Waratahs coach and former All Black Daryl Gibson is concerned Eddie Jones might have robbed Australian players of their attacking instincts

Rugby keeps tampering with the rules that don't matter, writes Chris Rattue, and ignores the self assessments that do.

The Chiefs will be boosted by the return of All Black lock Brodie Retallick for Friday night's clash with the Blues.

Opinion: Julian Savea's weight problems will be a concern for the player and the franchise but also All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is keeping at arms length from growing concern about the standard of Australian Super Rugby and unflattering comparisons with New Zealand teams.

Six rounds into the Super whizz bang-bang for your buck series and the best teams are pushing out performances to balance the mediocre.

All Black Israel Dagg, called into the Crusaders squad in Perth following his return from a shoulder injury, is unlikely to be named for Friday night's match.

Who were the best and worst from week six of the Super Rugby season?

COMMENT: Clearly the table-topping Chiefs are the benchmark Super Rugby team.

Dave Rennie earns the acclaim but the Chiefs coach has enjoyed plenty of assistance in making his attack an unstoppable force.

Watch out world. There's a tiny, dancing freight train coming your way named Damian McKenzie.

WATCH: The Chiefs scored six devastatingly good tries, each one better than the last, to thump the Brumbies in Canberra.

There was room for improvement but the only bit the Blues need to care about was finding a victory.

Relive all the action with our live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Jaguares.

The Blues haven't found the synergy there and it is causing coach Tana Umaga a few headaches as he looks for the answers, writes former All Black Justin Marshall.

They may have lost their starpower, but the Crusaders are playing as consistently as they ever have at this stage of the season

The Highlanders have held off an early onslaught and a rash of injuries to overcome a fierce Force side in Dunedin tonight.

Damian McKenzie has been among the very best in Super Rugby this season. His elevation to the All Blacks appears a matter of time.

It's early to be thinking about Super Rugby finalists and yet hard not to with the Chiefs playing the Brumbies this weekend.

Five games into the season, Blues coach Tana Umaga is still searching for his best backline.