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.

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.

What was shaping as a showdown between two explosive attacks might now be a little less pleasing on the eye. The Chiefs yesterday suffered a serious blow ahead of tonight's clash with the Hurricanes with both Sonny Bill Williams and James Lowe ruled out

The Blues have finished the week from hell with a morale-boosting victory over the Bulls which they will rightly be very proud of.

They've beaten themselves up off the track this week and when they stepped into the workplace where they have been troubled all season, they triumphed.

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

The Chiefs have suffered a serious double blow before tomorrow night's showdown with the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Herald readers have overwhelmingly sided with a stanch Blues fan who has vented his frustration with the franchise in an open letter to Blues CEO Michael Redman.

One supporter's open letter to Blues CEO Michael Redman sums up every fan's disappointment and frustration.

The Blues could be tested once again on the pitch tonight while the off-field drama continues with Wayne Smith the latest linked to the franshise.

Is Konrad Hurrell really a liability? Martin Guptill or Hamish Rutherford? Mark and Andrew debate the week's big questions.

A win-win scenario is filling the Highlanders spreadsheet this week.

The experimental phase is over and the results are in - Damian McKenzie is set to be the Chiefs' first five for the rest of the campaign.

The two have marked numerous milestones throughout their lengthy careers, which have worked in unison for the Hurricanes and All Blacks for the most part.