Heavyweight New Zealand Rugby censure followed Charles Piutau's announcement he was heading to play rugby in Ulster.

The clock is yet to strike midnight on Ross Filipo's fairytale return to the Chiefs.

After presiding over the departures of a growing number of talented young men from the game, NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew will today announce some good news - the signings of Brodie Retallick and Julian Savea.

There are three weeks to go in Super Rugby's regular season and few things about the playoff picture are clear given 10 teams are still in the hunt to claim six spots.

If the Crusaders miss the playoffs they will look back on many frustrating matches this season.

Over the course of 68 immaculate minutes from Augustine Pulu, the Chiefs' halfback picture became much murkier.

As the wind and rain continued to lash Auckland on Saturday, Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd gave a simple message to his team ahead of their match against the Blues.

The Crusaders' Super Rugby season has been a disappointment - a team with seven losses doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

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.

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.

Join us for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and Hurricanes from Eden Park in Auckland.

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.