Rugby reporter Patrick McKendry on what it means for the Blues now that Tabai Matson has declared his commitment to the Crusaders.

Tabai Matson has re-committed to the Crusaders rather than taking up John Kirwan's offer of joining him at the Blues.

A decision by the Blues board on Kirwan's coaching future is imminent, although an announcement may not be.

It seems John Kirwan is pulling a lot of strings about his future instead of the chief executive and board, writes Wynne Gray.

"Whatever has happened here in the past for us is totally irrelevant," says Sharks captain Bismarck du Plessis ahead of Waratahs clash.

Oh what a lovely circus, writes Chris Rattue. The Blues can barely win on the field, and now they are losing their cool with the media off it.

Rookie first five-eighth Jake McIntyre will make his Super Rugby debut in a new-look Queensland Reds side this weekend.

Those involved with the Blues coaching review have to insist it's not a done deal that Sir John Kirwan is staying on with Tabai Matson coming as his assistant.

Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson was yesterday in Auckland to talk to Blues' players and board members about joining the team and Sir John Kirwan from next year.

Can someone please tell Colin Slade to tear up that overseas contract and stay a while?

It has taken until the 14th round of the season but the top two teams in Super Rugby are finally about to do battle.

The Hurricanes could be facing a first-five crisis with James Marshall sent for scans on his knee.

Reappointing John Kirwan is as unwise as rebuilding Eden Park for the last World Cup.

Julian Savea is the undisputed starting choice in the No 11 jersey for the All Blacks but who will play on the right wing?

The offside law has become a serious blight on the game and one way to fix the problem would be to introduce a second referee, writes Justin Marshall.

Let's plot a magic few weeks for the Warriors and look at why they have such a promising road ahead, writes Chris Rattue.

Bring on the Chiefs. The Hurricanes keep rolling, they've won 10 from 11, sit atop the Super Rugby standings and can start planning a playoff appearance.

Whoever coaches the Blues next year, and the signs remain promising for John Kirwan, one of the challenges they face will be changing the mentality of the players.

There has been a quiet confidence within the Crusaders that their season is anything but over, but the results at the weekend have made their playoff dream a more realistic one.

Wynne Gray writes: Since when does a ball hidden at the back of a maul with seven players forming an obstructive wedge ahead of the ball-carrier constitute a fair contest for possession?

Ugly, gritty or gutsy; call it what you will, last night's 32-24 victory over the Sharks at Westpac Stadium in Wellington was another example of how far this team has come.

Sir John Kirwan said yesterday he's given the board a brutally honest appraisal about his own failings and how they have impacted on the club.

Jerome Kaino, despite being out for the rest of the season injured and facing up to a disappointing first year as Blues captain, remains positive about the franchise's future.

The Blues, for whatever reason, have largely been on the wrong page when it comes to contracting local talent.