Incoming Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd first guided Ma'a Nonu as part of the Wellington B side more than 10 years ago and they will reunite that partnership at Super Rugby level next season.

After once more finishing a disappointing 10th in this year's Super Rugby competition, the Blues will today confirm the departure of their All Black midfielder Ma'a Nonu.

Same old same old? The Chiefs are once again in the race for the Super Rugby crown, seeking to extend their success into a third season.

Mark Hammett's legacy at the Hurricanes will centre around what he achieved away from the bright lights of Westpac Stadium.

Title success has justifiably created a rod for the Crusader backs and they are judged by a higher standard, writes Brian Ashby.

Mark Hammett says the Hurricanes were in a state of disarray when he took over the coaching reins ahead of the 2011 season.

Whatever the remedy for the Blues woes, John Kirwan has not found the answer, writes Wynne Gray.

The Crusaders' attack has probably been their Achilles heel this season, but they are looking a lot more balanced now and have an ominous momentum heading into the finals.

It can hardly be called a turning point but the Chiefs have come a long way since being humbled by the Brumbies in April.

Aaron Cruden, his voice all but gone after shouting instructions to the Chiefs throughout their gritty victory over the Blues in the wet and wild conditions at Eden Park.

Don't laugh, especially on the league angle. But the weekend signalled that a New Zealand Super 15 and NRL double is on.

If experience counts for one iota in the Super 15 playoffs, the Crusaders will make inroads.

I know they haven't taken their chances at this stage in previous competitions, but I'd have to say the Waratahs are the team with the form and momentum and will be tough to beat.

They have wobbled and battled, scrambled and scraped their way to the final six without ever looking convincing and yet now they are in the playoffs, the Chiefs have the look of champions.

A good night's work led to a good night's kip for the Crusaders. They got their four-try victory and with it, the near certainty that the Sharks, who played overnight, couldn't knock them out of second place.

The Crusaders are not everyone's model rugby side. But they understand the basics needed to achieve victories and for that, they need to be admired.

It's "What's wrong with the Blues?" time again. Two seasons under John Kirwan and nothing much has changed. Different animals, same zoo.

The Chiefs have kept their hopes of three consecutive Super Rugby titles alive with a win over the Blues at Eden Park tonight.

He arrived under a metaphoric cloud, left under a literal one and yet Ma'a Nonu was nothing but a little ray of sunshine in his second stint with the Blues.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Blues from Eden Park in Auckland.

One of the cult heroes of the All Blacks' 2011 World Cup winning side is parting ways with New Zealand rugby.

Foot and ankle injuries have combined to make this a frustrating year for Francis Saili, but as the Blues' season comes to a conclusion, he need only look at how he might fit into next year's midfield equation to put a fresh perspective on things.

It will be the first time in two years Smith has not been available for the Highlanders. A leg infection, kept him in hospital across the Ditch for three nights

The Blues have held firm at Eden Park although apart from the win against the Force, they have been unable to find the same recipe away from HQ.

If it takes until their backs are against the wall for the Chiefs to find true form, then the champs are exactly where they want to be tonight.