An encounter with the unbeaten Stormers represents an ideal time for Aaron Cruden to rediscover his radar.

If there is a straw the Blues can clutch ahead of tonight's game it is the story of the spreadsheet - which shows there is a foundation from which they can work.

John Kirwan faces the very real prospect of losing his job if the results don't come over the next three or four weeks.

The smart money is on the unbeaten Hurricanes claiming the competition points tomorrow, but statistics offer a few gremlins.

A delayed concussion for skipper Jerome Kaino has ruled him out of the match against the Hurricanes.

The waiting is almost over for the Crusaders.

Go on then, write them off. Screw up your tickets and burn your scarves and refuse to watch them for the rest of the season.

the Blues have been lolling in mediocrity in the 12 years since they last won the Super rugby title, writes Wynne Gray.

After four rounds a Super Rugby pattern is starting to emerge around who's performing well this season.

After writing a couple of weeks ago that I was really pleased with the quality and intensity early in this Super Rugby competition, along came this latest weekend.

John Kirwan's "bring it on" defiance in the aftermath of the Blues' depressing loss to the Lions was slightly more measured yesterday.

Kirwan's comments after the woeful display against the underwhelming Lions reveal one reason why his Blues regime is in terminal turmoil, writes Chris Rattue.

John Kirwan has received the backing of Blues chief executive Michael Redman following the team's defeat to the Lions, which has left them in last place in the competition.

The only thing more humiliating about being dragged into a dog fight with the Lions, is being dragged into that fight and then losing.

Marty Banks kicked two penalties in the final five minutes to overturn a deficit and help the Highlanders to a last-minute win over the Chiefs.

If the Blues are to turn their season aroundthey need to chalk up more than a solitary victory against the Lions, writes Gregor Paul.

Nathan Sharpe tells a good story about Keven Mealamu, the man who will tonight break his individual Super Rugby appearance record by playing in his 163rd match.

Editorial: John Kirwan is clearly on borrowed time.

Join us here for the live blog of tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium.

The worrying thing for Kirwan is when reports broke that the Blues were tapping up a replacement, no one contested the sense of such a decision, writes Gregor Paul.

The Blues have hit back at a report they are sounding out replacements for coach John Kirwan.