In reaching a mutual agreement with Benji Marshall to let him leave the Blues a few months into his two-year contract, New Zealand's rugby bosses made their best decision.

Blues investor Murray Bolton has no hard feelings towards Benji Marshall and his looming exit.

Footballing freak Israel Folau is setting impossibly high standards that no other rugby convert - including Benji Marshall - should expect to match.

Benji Marshall will not be a Warrior, with coach Andrew McFadden saying today the failed rugby convert is "not what they need right now".

Wales coach Warren Gatland said to be increasingly keen on luring Chiefs player Gareth Anscombe from Hamilton with the potential prize of a World Cup spot.

Benji Marshall says he is an "average'' rugby union player but insists he is better for his failed experiment at the Blues.

Amid the Benji Marshall saga and a listing ship sporting a spotty 3-5 record, John Kirwan is happy to seize on anything positive surrounding his beleaguered Blues.

Blues coach John Kirwan says his team needs to "work harder and stay in the fight" after a disappointing loss to the Hurricanes on Friday.

The clock is ticking on the Chiefs' efforts to fix their malfunctioning lineout after their mauling at the hands of the Crus-aders.

The Waratahs are sweating on Kurtley Beale being fit as they look to break the shackles in key clashes with the Blues and Hurricanes.

Halfway through the competition and three Australian teams are positioned to qualify for the Super Rugby finals for the first time in history.

What a game of stunning intensity and brutality in Hamilton on Saturday, a game that was comparable to most test matches.

The significance of Kieran Read leaving the field after 30 minutes on Saturday night was easy to understand in the context of the match.

Recovering Blues halfback Piri Weepu has warned his underperforming teammates they need to work out whether they want to be at the franchise or not.

Super Rugby has reached the halfway point. Gregor Paul reviews the action so far and suggests what needs to happen in the next six weeks.

A 39-20 defeat at the hands of the Hurricanes in Wellington last night was a frustrating blow to the Blues who have dropped five from eight this year.

Super Rugby's break for the June tests comes at an opportune time for Blues first-five Simon Hickey.

When the Blues look back on their Benji Marshall experiment, regardless of how it turns out, they might want to take note of the lessons learned, because there will be many.

Winning on the road continues to be a problem for the Blues following a 39-20 defeat to the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight.