The Chiefs have mounting choices in their bid to stem a niggling pattern which has hit them mid-season.

Charles Piutau is a player the All Blacks definitely didn't want to lose. But it is understood he has been offered and has already signed a deal in Europe.

A long-held perception among Super Rugby followers is that New Zealand teams are more exciting to watch. Generally, they run the ball more and play an open game.

We are always very quick to criticise coaches when teams are inept or failing to get results so I would take this opportunity to give credit to the coaches at the Highlanders and Hurricanes.

It's after nights like these that John Kirwan, rather than resigning himself to going back to the drawing board, must be tempted to smash the thing to smithereens and start on something else like an old stone tablet that he could also use to knock some se

Chaos awaits at the World Cup, judging by the confused and inconsistent decision-making of officials in Super Rugby.

On his knees with head in hand - a shattered Quade Cooper's reaction to his potential match-winning 30m drop-goal attempt being charged down on fulltime said it all on Friday night.

John Kirwan's decision to replace first-five Ihaia West with Dan Bowden could be seen as either a pragmatic move or a desperate last throw of the dice.

Damian McKenzie was one of the Chiefs' best in their recent trip to the Republic, earning a third straight start in the No 15 jersey for this afternoon's meeting with the Cheetahs.

The last time the Blues boarded a return flight from Sydney with a victory smile alongside their boarding pass was back in 2003 when they won the tournament.

Chris Boyd’s side have made it six from six this season and their latest victims, the Melbourne Rebels, were dispatched 36-12 at Westpac Stadium in Wellington last night.