Coach Sir John Kirwan is using tomorrow's match against the Crusaders at Eden Park as a trial for next year's Super Rugby series, writes Wynne Gray.

It's a tough call to make, with several sides having put together outstanding seasons in the 19-year history of the competition.

Liam Messam leads the way with 21 penalties and one yellow card, with Ben Franks (18 penalties) and Richie McCaw (17 penalties, plus one yellow card) also high-profile offenders.

Dom Shipperley says he's a better player than when he last appeared for the Wallabies and he's hoping for a chance to prove that.

Blues and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year after opting for surgery on a developmental defect with his hips.

The Crusaders are in a precarious tussle for the playoffs and surprisingly, are top of the pile in one department.

Highlanders wings Waisake Naholo and Patrick Osborne showed their class as they scored tries during their team's 36-9 win over the Chiefs during the weekend, but where do they rank among the competition's best tackle-busters?

Into the spotlight for the Highlanders and exit stage left.

Watching Robbie Deans lead the Barbarians to a good win over a strong Ireland side made me think - we could do much worse than getting him back into New Zealand's coaching system.

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago but, presumably refreshed from their bye week, they still have an important role to play in terms of the final standings.

Daniel Carter, after a season of inching forward, took a giant step in the right direction against the Hurricanes in Nelson.

I have to be honest, when Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry rang me a couple of weeks ago I was more than a little surprised, writes Ross Filipo.

On a night that hearkened back to the franchise's formative years, the Highlanders created a little slice of history and remained right in the hunt for another.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Chiefs in Invercargill.

With All Blacks on his inside going through injury-disrupted campaigns, Charlie Ngatai's chase for higher honours has made him the rock of the Chiefs' backline.

Beauden Barrett's calm influence was sorely missed during the Hurricanes' 35-18 loss to the Crusaders in Nelson tonight

No one condones foul play anymore. Player safety is top of the bill for all rugby authorities and the days of public glory in petty villainy have gone.

Join us for all the action from the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Hurricanes from Trafalgar Park in Nelson.