The Blues will likely be without loose forward Jerome Kaino and utility back Charles Piutau for the rest of the season, so let's look at how damaging their absences will be.

Selecting a fullback this week is taking on the sort of difficulty the selectors had picking a five-eighths during the last World Cup, writes Wynne Gray.

The Hurricanes are preparing to play without All Black star pivot Beauden Barrett.

Have the Highlanders fallen off the radar? Are they that unfashionable? They started this round of Super Rugby by maintaining their push for the playoffs with a great effort, writes Wynne Gray.

Typical Blues - they double their win tally for the season by beating the Force, only to have their success tarnished by the injuries to their best players.

There is a noticeable contrast in styles among the Kiwi teams and the two sides doing really well are the ones playing traditional New Zealand rugby.

The good news for the Chiefs is they have a fortnight to rectify what went wrong against the Rebels before they face the biggest game of the season.

The Hurricanes beat the Crusaders in Wellington tonight and every one of their four tries were worthy of the highlights reel.

Colin Slade or Beauden Barrett? Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade? The starting order would not matter, the All Blacks would be happy with either at first five eighths.

It's symptomatic of the Blues season that what little good news they enjoyed last night in beating the hapless Force, came with a smattering of bad.

The Blues have doubled their win tally for the season but the injuries to Jerome Kaino and Charles Piutau will worry not only John Kirwan but also Steve Hansen.

The Chiefs will be frustrated by their game which frayed at the edges with some uncharacteristic indiscretions in Melbourne.

Two groups who have been left out in the cold for too long - their team's players and supporters, Paul McKendry writes.

On the weekend of boxing's biggest fight in years, the Crusaders look weak at the knees.

Another factor in the Blues' favour is the fact that their opposition from Western Australia lead the statistics table in many ways they don't want to.

According to those who spout the blue-and-gold mantra, the Highlanders should resume their winning methods after last week's stumble.

Back from elbow injury, Dane Coles will play from the bench against the the Crusaders at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.

Losing the world's best player is undoubtedly a blow, but as his Chiefs teammate Sam Cane puts it, "we've played bugger-all rugby with Brodie this year."

Akira Ioane has a big chance to cement himself in the Blues loose forward trio after being selected ahead of All Black Steven Luatua for tomorrow's match.

The Herald learned of Sir John's plea - understood to be given at Tuesday night's board meeting - late yesterday.