Let's plot a magic few weeks for the Warriors and look at why they have such a promising road ahead, writes Chris Rattue.

Whoever coaches the Blues next year, and the signs remain promising for John Kirwan, one of the challenges they face will be changing the mentality of the players.

There has been a quiet confidence within the Crusaders that their season is anything but over, but the results at the weekend have made their playoff dream a more realistic one.

Wynne Gray writes: Since when does a ball hidden at the back of a maul with seven players forming an obstructive wedge ahead of the ball-carrier constitute a fair contest for possession?

Bring on the Chiefs. The Hurricanes keep rolling, they've won 10 from 11, sit atop the Super Rugby standings and can start planning a playoff appearance.

Ugly, gritty or gutsy; call it what you will, last night's 32-24 victory over the Sharks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington was another example of how far this team has come.

Sir John Kirwan said yesterday he's given the board a brutally honest appraisal about his own failings and how they have impacted on the club.

The Hurricanes have reached the 10-win mark this season, which in recent years has been enough to secure a spot in the Super Rugby playoffs.

The Hurricanes haven't played in the Super Rugby finals since 2009, but they have a chance to break their playoff drought tonight.

Sir John Kirwan is believed to be only two weeks away from being re-appointed for at least another season at the Blues.

Kirwan has the backing of his players, accepted his faults, and promised to improve. That's enough, it seems, writes Patrick McKendry.

Royal rugby espionage! You can't be too careful with Prince Harry taking in tonight's Super rugby match in Wellington, warns Wynne Gray.

The Blues will finish the season with yet another unwanted record after this latest loss to the Rebels in Melbourne tonight.

They were golden moments for the Blues in their trip to Melbourne but they were too infrequent to overcome a determined home team.

A rampant attack and a generous opponent combined to provide a fitting farewell for a quintet of Crusaders tonight

The Rebels in Melbourne tonight present the final chance the Blues have to improve their away record under John Kirwan this season.

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has called George Moala a "very good man" after the midfielder's discharge without conviction on a bar brawl assault charge.

The lawyer for Blues rugby player George Moala has hit back at accusations New Zealand courts have become a "two-tier system of justice".

The case of late-blooming Blues hooker James Parsons has revealed just how nutty the All Black resting policy is, writes Chris Rattue

Richie McCaw is managing to temper his emotions ahead of the probable end of an era for several Crusaders teammates.

All Blacks hooker Dane Coles is likely to be told to cool it following his fiery display for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders.

Richie McCaw: retire now in order to give yourself the best possible chance of living life to the full, pleads Chris Rattue.

A leading law professor is concerned over the number of sports people being discharged without conviction saying a two-tier system is being set up.

Sharks coach Gary Gold insists Super Rugby's overall leaders will have to sweat blood to beat the Durbanites this weekend.