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.

Ma'a Nonu is refusing to talk about his future, increasing speculation he will use an out-clause in his contract to move back to the Hurricanes.

When Blade Thomson was pushed out of the Hurricanes' starting line-up he was told to work on his ball-carrying.

As Blues captain Luke Braid contemplates a trip to Christchurch where he has never won at either Super Rugby or national provincial championship level.

How do you explain the Blues' comprehensive victory against the Force?

It's hard to think of a more frustrating season for Crusaders fans, writes Brian Ashby. Just when they're starting to look like the real deal, they turn to dog tucker.

Take a decent bow you Highlanders. It's been a while since you gave Super Rugby a decent rattle and your season-ticketholders much to cheer about, writes Wynne Gray.

The Highlanders may not even have to win one of their final two games to gain a playoff spot as the cards continue to fall their way.

The Blues' stunning victory over the Force in Perth, which made a mockery of their woeful away record of the past two years, will mean little if they fail to back it up.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett will have the depth of his squad tested this week as his men eye another must-win Super Rugby encounter against the Chiefs on Friday night

A victory over the Hurricanes, with two home fixtures left, would have put the Crusaders in the box seat for a home semifinal. Instead, they lost 16-9, writes Justin Marshall.

The Chiefs looked like the same side who entered the June window during Friday's 29-25 crushing loss to the Highlanders.

Versatility was their key strength last year but the Chiefs have desperately missed specialists and consistency of selection in 2014.

The Blues blew the Force off the field in the first quarter in Perth overnight, grabbing a rare Super Rugby win on the road.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Hurricanes have beaten the Crusaders in three of the past five meetings and each time the winning points have come in the final 10 minutes.

Despite the extremely high level Jerome Kaino reached on his return to the All Blacks against England, he feels he let himself down in the third test in Hamilton.

There's a light and dark shade for Charles Piutau about rugby in New Plymouth.

The Chiefs’ reign as champions is virtually over but the Highlanders have shown there remains at least one Kiwi challenger for the Super Rugby title

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Chiefs from Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

In the strict hierarchy of rugby in this country, it's rare to find a Super rugby side benefiting from the All Blacks rather than the reverse.

The Blues' losing streak away from their Eden Park fortress now stands at 14, so only their most ardent supporters will be confident of success against the Force in Perth tomorrow night.