Simon Hickey has been dropped to the reserves bench by the Blues this week.

Just a year ago the Brumbies went into their blockbuster derby against the Waratahs intent on exploiting the defence of a rookie named Israel Folau.

If the Chiefs and Stormers do play out a predicted defensive duel, Dave Rennie knows he will have an advantage in the halfback position.

If Blues coach John Kirwan wants to present his team with a role model as they seek to get something tangible out of their South African trip.

You don't need to put your ear close to the ground in Wellington to hear the grumblings.

Round five of Dream Team Fantasy Super Rugby offers up some juicy match-ups to exploit and send your team rocketing up the rankings.

The dossier on the best use for Benji Marshall is expanding, writes Wynne Gray.

New Crusaders five-eighth Colin Slade can expect plenty of traffic from the Melbourne Rebels who feel he might be a weakness tonight.

Another week, another backline casualty for a Crusaders team searching for attacking inspiration.

The Chiefs have come under fire for their allegedly illegal tactics ahead of what is likely to be a high-impact encounter against the Stormers tomorrow.

Marnitz Boshoff still isn't a certainty to play the Blues at Ellis Park on Sunday morning.

Stop the Waratahs' forward pack and you'll stifle try-scoring machine Israel Folau.

Sir John Kirwan's comments about Keven Mealamu's calf injury, and the fact he has been sent home from South Africa.

The reinforcements are ready for the Chiefs and, before an arduous schedule over the next two months, their arrival is not a moment too soon.

They were the only NZ franchise to taste victory this week - a vital first win of 2014 for the Crusaders.

There is no spontaneity, the players are not reactive, writes Justin Marshall. The Crusaders have their structures and they look like a team that will do anything they can to stick to them

Consistency is not yet their forte as they wavered on the Highveld in Pretoria, teasing us they might conjure a late victory before falling 38-22 to the Bulls, writes Wynne Gray.

Super Rugby could be on its way to Europe as the current proposal for the new tournament now caters for 18 teams - with Spain, France and Italy thought to be possibilities to host one of the new ventures.

Their defence seemed to be all over the place - even organisational maestro Conrad Smith was caught out a time or two, writes Richard Loe.

On current form, the Hurricanes could ensure their season is over by round six. Not bad. It equals the efforts of the Highlanders last year, the Blues in 2012 and betters their own work in 2011.

The Crusaders won't get close to winning the Super title playing as they did against the Stormers.

The Crusaders have pinched a late win over the Stormers to earn their first points of the Super Rugby season.

Join us here for live coverage of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Stormers from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

If the Hurricanes weren't panicking after losing their opening two games of the Super Rugby season they might need to change that approach after dropping their third.