Try telling me you understand what is happening out on the field. Even 50 per cent of the time. Because if you do I'll bet you are in a minority, writes Wynne Gray.

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

Michael Leitch crossed the try line on Saturday in his first Super Rugby game in the country of his birth, helping the Chiefs to a 37-27 victory over the Cheetahs in Hamilton.

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.

Some of the same issues remain but the Chiefs were able to see off the Cheetahs this afternoon while still playing short of their best.

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.

The Hurricanes have made no secret of putting extra emphasis on derby matches this season, with coach Chris Boyd suggesting they are worth "double points".