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!['Hell of a kid' did it for Chiefs](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
'Hell of a kid' did it for Chiefs
A key cause of last year's inconsistent Chiefs campaign was the mid-season absence of Aaron Cruden.
![Plenty for Kirwan to mull over](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Plenty for Kirwan to mull over
With lock Patrick Tuipulotu on the brink of returning, John Kirwan's thoughts as he left Auckland yesterday for Sydney on the first leg of the Blues' journey to South Africa might have been how to....
![Wynne Gray: Lack of sting from star teams](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Wynne Gray: Lack of sting from star teams
Those inclined to provoke early season niggle will declare the Crusaders are toast, the Bulls are crisping and the Reds are burned offerings.
![McKenzie display puts pressure on Cruden](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
McKenzie display puts pressure on Cruden
Few things inspire confidence in a team like a first-five with a fully functioning computer for a brain.
![Chiefs chop slow-burning Blues](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Chiefs chop slow-burning Blues
It might not be a wise idea to be cautiously optimistic about the Blues' chances this year in the wake of a first round defeat, but they did enough for judgement to at least be reserved.
![First take: Cohesive Chiefs well-drilled](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
First take: Cohesive Chiefs well-drilled
No surprise the Blues came second. Not against the Chiefs who have hovered around the top of the competition for the last few years while the Blues have puttered along in their own slurry.
![Wynne Gray: Much to shout about 20th year of Super?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Wynne Gray: Much to shout about 20th year of Super?
This year we enter the 20th season of the tournament and you have to wonder whether rugby has pushed on and used those opening seasons as a springboard for real progress, writes Wyanne Gray.
![Braid's days of shouldering burden over](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Braid's days of shouldering burden over
Pain has been a constant companion for Blues loose forward Luke Braid for much of the past two seasons.
![Carter injury adds to Crusaders woes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Carter injury adds to Crusaders woes
Dan Carter hobbled off injured as the Crusaders crashed to a 20-10 loss to the Rebels in Christchurch tonight.
![As it happened: Crusaders v Rebels](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
As it happened: Crusaders v Rebels
Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Crusaders taking on the Rebels in the 2015 Super Rugby opener at AMI Stadium.
![Justin Marshall: NZ teams' pros and cons](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Justin Marshall: NZ teams' pros and cons
Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.
!['Ridiculous skills' from TJ Perenara](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
'Ridiculous skills' from TJ Perenara
Hurricanes and All Black halfback TJ Perenara has set the standard for training ground tricks in Super Rugby with an amazing left-footed sideline conversion.
![Sharks and Bulls look the main challengers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Sharks and Bulls look the main challengers
The Bulls may end up being a surprisingly different side in terms of style this year.
![Blues have special place for Starship](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Blues have special place for Starship
Blues captain Jerome Kaino receives his new playing jersey from teenage patient Tyrone Banks at Starship children's hospital.
![Waratahs coach one to watch](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Waratahs coach one to watch
The Waratahs curbed years of mocking from their interstate rivals when they claimed last season's Super Rugby title.
![Rennie's men kings in waiting](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Rennie's men kings in waiting
The consistency that set the Chiefs apart during their title campaigns suddenly disappeared, the two-time defending champions winning their first three games but never enjoying another such streak.
![A slow-burn start or all fired-up?](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
A slow-burn start or all fired-up?
Second, losing to the Waratahs in the Sydney final. Traditionally slow burners, the Crusaders slipped uncomfortably back into a familiar pattern.
![Rugby: Elliot's brave return](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Rugby: Elliot's brave return
There was a time when it seemed certain Hika Elliot's rugby career would end in tears.
![Crusaders: Cup double clouds start to season](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Crusaders: Cup double clouds start to season
Super Rugby begins its 20th year tonight with maybe not even a quarter of the excitement and intrigue as it did in Palmerston North 1996.
![Southerners can serve up surprises yet](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Southerners can serve up surprises yet
Finished sixth - beaten in playoffs. Devoid of stars and coming off the back of a horror campaign in 2013, the Highlanders were the tournament's big surprise last year.
![Blues: Breakthrough year coming — but not yet](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Blues: Breakthrough year coming — but not yet
More of the same, with the Blues repeating their 10th-place finish from 2013 to leave their record of 32 games played under John Kirwan's command for 13 wins and 19....
![Platform required for ABs-laden backline](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Platform required for ABs-laden backline
The four-year coaching reign of Mark Hammett came to an end as he led them to seventh place and they missed the playoffs.