There are New Zealand coaches with excellent credentials who could take over the Blues.

Glasgow Warriors have signed Fijian winger Taqele Naiyaravoro from Super Rugby champions Waratahs on a three-year deal.

Sam Cane is the most productive Kiwi tackler in Super Rugby, but Richie McCaw and Julian Savea are slipping off tackles at position-worst rates.

SANZAR game manager Lyndon Bray has taken an indirect shot at Kiwi refs Vinny Munro and Glenn Jackson.

The Blues' coaching panel for 2016 is: head coach Tana Umaga, assistants Paul Feeney and Steve Jackson. What are your objections asks Wynne Gray.

The Queensland Reds could yet welcome back injured star Quade Cooper for Friday night's clash with the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.

In an attempt to reconnect with rugby, the Herald's sports editor at large Dylan Cleaver watches every minute of every Super Rugby game over the weekend.

Outspoken ex-referee Jonathan Kaplan has backed the Chiefs who are angry at the late decision from TMO Vinny Munro against the Hurricanes.

What about them Highlanders, eh? They danced out to a handy halftime lead and unlike the previous week did not surrender that advantage against the Cheetahs.

This week looms as one of the most important in the Blues' history as their divided board meets in an attempt to resolve the John Kirwan issue.

The Blues are in tatters off the field and have a terrible record away from home but when you set up a game for them at Eden Park they generally find a way to win.

Who are the essential World Cup picks, and who are the non-essentials? Chris Rattue tells us who he thinks are the essential World Cup items.

A defeat in Wellington may have handed the Hurricanes home advantage in the playoffs but the Chiefs will hold no fear if a rematch eventually decides the season.

As the John Kirwan coaching saga lurches from one disaster to the next, the Blues players are watching and waiting and feeling increasingly unsettled, writes Paul McKendry.

I'd say the Springboks will be a little concerned. That's based on the rugby played by the Bulls because they were plain awful against the Blues on Friday night, Richard Loe writes.

If the Blues end up next year in a darker place than this season, it wouldn't be more than they deserve.

The All Blacks' defence of the World Cup feels jinxed. Good men are dropping all over the place. Conrad Smith is the latest, suffering concussion against the Chiefs in Wellington.

Ma'a Nonu was at his best during the Hurricanes’ 22-18 win over the Chiefs in Wellington tonight, extending their lead at the top of the New Zealand conference.

John Kirwan has delivered a tactical masterstroke by saying he could deliver master technician Wayne Smith to the Blues, writes Wynne Gray.

Concern is growing that Patrick Tuipulotu's groin injury could rule him out of the World Cup.