The Western Force might be able to upset the apple cart for other Australian Super Rugby franchises in the run to the playoffs.

James O'Connor won't bear the burden of blame on his own for the Reds' deflating 21-14 defeat to the Sharks on Friday.

The Crusaders will almost certainly miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001 after last night suffering their seventh loss of an insipid season.

Sir John Kirwan's supporters on the Blues board will be cringing after the depleted Hurricanes smashed the Super Rugby basket case at their alleged fortress.

Credit to the Blues that in losing their perfect Eden Park record this season, they did, at least, do it in style.

Those Hurricanes supporters wondering whether their team have the complete game to go deep into this competition, if not win it, can rest assured.

All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock hasn't made up his mind about whether he will return to the Blues.

For more than a decade the Crusaders had a chokehold on the Waratahs, Wayne Gray writes.

It should be a walk in Eden Park. The Blues barely have enough troops to pick a match-day 23; they are down on loose forwards, experienced players and direction from their board.

The Chiefs once again showed they know exactly how to set aside a setback and keep on racking up the wins.

Both have a range of outstanding loose-forwards and crunching Fijian power on the wing.

The loss of James Lowe would have seemed a grave blow for the Chiefs as recently as a week ago.

Cory Jane has almost been the forgotten man of the Hurricanes' backline this year.

Steve Tew has a difficult job keeping NZ's best rugby talent on these shores, but the double standards are obvious, writes Patrick McKendry.

Waratahs coach predicts his side will be entering a Super Rugby war zone against a rested Crusaders side on Saturday.

A loose forward, a commentator and a debutant - the Chiefs' locking crisis could create a rather unorthodox combination in the second row tomorrow night in Rotorua.

Three Super Rugby games should still be enough for Quade Cooper to prove his Wallaby World Cup worth, says Queensland Reds coach Richard Graham.

Strong ray of sunshine for the Sharks as Springbok lock Pieter-Steph du Toit re-committed himself to the Durban franchise.