There's surely no other Kiwi team that could take its fans this far into a post-season push and leave them hanging at the last minute on an all-Australian affair.

The first match in which Blues first-five Ihaia West plays with his short-term future secured could also be the one in which he feels the most pressure.

The equation is simple for the Blues to make the Super Rugby playoffs: win by a clear 38 points this Friday at their Eden Park fortress.

Ask his coach whether Brodie Retallick should be regarded the best lock in world rugby and Dave Rennie leaves little doubt.

If the Blues have taken a step forward in 2014, they are about to take at least two back, writes Gregor Paul.

With only one week of the regular Super Rugby season left before the play-offs, where do the NZ teams currently stand, and what do they need to win? Find out here.

It’s possible Beauden Barrett is right and an offer from the Blues is in the pipeline.

The Blues might not have a championship-winning No 10 but they do, in Bryn Hall, have a championship-winning No 9.

There's a fair chance the Waratahs will win Super Rugby this year and, in doing so, ignite a mini-panic - the Wallabies might be an emerging force.

The Chiefs have found form at the vital time to set up a potentially pivotal showdown with the Blues next weekend.

I know people will be lining up to lay into Mark Hammett by asking 'what has he done in four seasons coaching the Hurricanes?' but I'm standing by him.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Blues from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

No dice, Blues coach John Kirwan proclaimed this week when asked about a move to contract Beauden Barrett.

Twelve months ago it looked as if Tony Woodcock's grip on the All Blacks' No 1 jersey was slipping.

The Chiefs will live to fight another week after producing a timely display to condemn the Hurricanes to a damaging defeat in Hamilton tonight.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby showdown between the Chiefs and the Hurricanes from Waikato Stadium.

It is no exaggeration to suggest the situation is dire and the Chiefs' chances of clawing their way to safety and a continued ride in defence of their Super Rugby crown, is grim.

There will be very little fuss made about them come tomorrow night and they wouldn't want it any other way. Keven Mealamu and Corey Flynn will just get on with the job.

No one can blame Ma'a Nonu for wanting to return to Wellington to be with his family - and that is likely to be his main reason for yet another shift.

Before tonight's win-or-bust encounter with the Hurricanes, the Chiefs are attributing their dire position to two deficiencies - in the head and in the heart.