Could there be any truth to the rumours across the Ditch that Sonny Bill Williams will sit out the rest of the series?

Coach Sir John Kirwan is using tomorrow's match against the Crusaders at Eden Park as a trial for next year's Super Rugby series, writes Wynne Gray.

Brayden Mitchell was meant to be with the Hurricanes for only 10 weeks to slog through pre-season while All Blacks hooker Dane Coles took a break. He's still there.

Blues prop Angus Ta'avao is heading for the Waratahs next season as he eyes a way into test rugby.

The Chiefs are unbeaten with Brodie Retallick in their ranks this season but, without the big lock, have lost more than they've won.

Proposal will almost certainly be a compromise that would see Kirwan stay for a fourth and final year as head coach while the board looks for an alternative.

It's a tough call to make, with several sides having put together outstanding seasons in the 19-year history of the competition.

Liam Messam leads the way with 21 penalties and one yellow card, with Ben Franks (18 penalties) and Richie McCaw (17 penalties, plus one yellow card) also high-profile offenders.

Dom Shipperley says he's a better player than when he last appeared for the Wallabies and he's hoping for a chance to prove that.

You don't expect the Crusaders to be standing in line for miracles but, as Super Rugby heads into its penultimate round, that's exactly where they find themselves.

The Hurricanes should have the services of first-five Beauden Barrett for their pivotal Super Rugby clash with the Highlanders in Napier on Friday.

Blues and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year after opting for surgery on a developmental defect with his hips.

Some people saw Dan Carter. I saw Nemani Nadolo. Others heralded a Crusaders turnaround. I'd be more inclined to say the Hurricanes are in trouble.

They were handed their worst defeat of the season and held tryless for the first time in 25 games - but the Chiefs' finals fate remains firmly in their control.

Into the spotlight for the Highlanders and exit stage left.

Watching Robbie Deans lead the Barbarians to a good win over a strong Ireland side made me think - we could do much worse than getting him back into New Zealand's coaching system.

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago but, presumably refreshed from their bye week, they still have an important role to play in terms of the final standings.

Daniel Carter, after a season of inching forward, took a giant step in the right direction against the Hurricanes in Nelson.

I have to be honest, when Chiefs assistant coach Tom Coventry rang me a couple of weeks ago I was more than a little surprised, writes Ross Filipo.

On a night that hearkened back to the franchise's formative years, the Highlanders created a little slice of history and remained right in the hunt for another.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Chiefs in Invercargill.