![Weary Highlanders survive frantic finish](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=806)
Weary Highlanders survive frantic finish
They did their best to throw away the win but the Highlanders hung on to set up an intriguing battle with the Hurricanes on Friday night.
They did their best to throw away the win but the Highlanders hung on to set up an intriguing battle with the Hurricanes on Friday night.
Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and the Cook Islands are on the hunt for players and are putting pressure on those eligible for the Island nations.
Big Ben Tameifuna has a big decision to make — stay with the Chiefs or sign with Toulouse and most likely commit to playing for Tonga at next year’s World Cup.
They did their best to throw away the win but the Highlanders barely hung on to set up an intriguing battle with the Hurricanes on Friday night.
The ball-carrying power of Patrick Tuipulotu has been noted by the All Black selectors who will almost certainly name the Blues lock in their wider training squad on Monday.
A perfect try played a big part in deciding an imperfect game.
Huntly has a uniquely Waikato way of welcoming visitors to Chiefs Country. "The Official Cheers Leader of the Super Rugby Champions," proclaims a billboard for Waikato Draught, positioned on the northern outskirts of town.
The Rebels are a melting pot of nationalities and rarely click but when they do they have the ability to torch unsuspecting outfits who arrive at AAMI Park expecting to notch up a bonus-point win.
Another week, another new position for Tim Nanai-Williams.
There is no overstating the importance of this next match for the Blues.
No one needs to remind the Chiefs about the importance of this match.
Ma'a Nonu's impressive burst of form isn't just giving the Blues a belated, unexpected shot at making the Super Rugby playoffs.
As Ma'a Nonu continues to attract the attention of defenders everywhere, few of his teammates are better placed to take advantage than the irrepressible Charles Piutau, the only player to have appeared in every minute for the Blues this season.
The Blues are battling with the long-term loss of two midfielders but they should not expect much sympathy from Chiefs coach Dave Rennie.
With the sound of Steve Walsh's whistle still ringing in their ears, the Hurricanes have set up camp in Melbourne.
They are known as "spark plugs", the blokes who can inject some sting from the bench.
The search for a new coaching team for Sir John Kirwan and the 2015 Blues will kick off in earnest next month, but it appears Tana Umaga has ruled himself out of contention.
Another season, the same old problem for Australian rugby. They're soft, writes Chris Rattue.
Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has put the onus on his players to look at how they prepare for matches.
When Matt Todd went down with a calf problem, Richie McCaw would have said goodbye to any thoughts of an early substitution in his comeback match.
Sprinting for the corner with friends and family in the stands, Nathan Harris looked set to mark a dream starting debut with a stunning try.
Was it a breakthrough or merely a mirage? The Chiefs will find out on Friday night in New Plymouth.