The Crusaders and Chiefs will carry a different complexion into Saturday night's season-opening clash in Christchurch.

Every New Zealand franchise features a number of players on their rosters who have blown out 30 candles.

The Blues today received possession of team T-shirts inspired by television's Sons of Anarchy.

Blues captain Jerome Kaino will miss his team's first match of the season after being given a one-week's ban for his punch on Chiefs prop Pauliasi Manu.

Our rugby writers discuss who they would build a New Zealand Super Rugby franchise around if all teams had the chance to start over.

Steven Luatua could easily become the forgotten man at the Blues but it's not something about which he needs reminding.

How Nehe Milner-Skudder adapts to being a known quantity will be pivotal to the Hurricanes' Super Rugby prospects.

Why are there so few young Maori and Polynesian journalists covering this game?

A chronically painful launch for what looms as a chronically bad competition, writes Gregor Paul.

Chris Rattue lists the key questions surrounding the five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises ahead of the upcoming season.

Another big pre-season win has lifted the Blues' confidence levels as high as they've been for 12 months.

The addition of three teams has been met with a lukewarm response but Sanzaar says they will re-invigorate the competition.

Twenty years ago the Super Rugby series began in Palmerston North.