With no sign of any public announcement about the future of Super rugby, Australia has revealed they pushed for a two conference model linked to Asia.

Former Blues coaches Joe Schmidt and David Nucifora are about to pool their rugby knowledge once more but this time their roles will be reversed.

Paul Gallen hopes Andrew Fifita will stay with Cronulla but the Sharks skipper says he isn't going to pressure the representative star to do so.

The Blues' progress of the past fortnight is in danger of being derailed by injuries as they prepare to face the Brumbies in Canberra high on confidence but low on personnel.

Those with an interest in Blues rugby and mathematics would have been heartened by the sequence which unfolded at Eden Park.

The defending Super Rugby champion Chiefs are defying injuries, set-piece woes, savvy opponents and statistics to remain in pole position in the New Zealand conference.

As the Hurricanes struggled through an indifferent start to their Super Rugby campaign one thing never wavered.

Luke Romano's calf injury has forced him to miss the Crusaders' trip to South Africa.

It is the collective effort of the Blues in keeping the Highlanders try-less in their 30-12 victory at Eden Park which suggests John Kirwan's team are beginning to gain traction.

There's no place like home for the Queensland Reds, who highlighted their love of Suncorp Stadium with a pressure-relieving 22-17 victory over the Stormers.

Sharks coach Jake White couldn't resist taking pot shots at Waratahs counterpart Michael Cheika after his Super Rugby leaders niggled their way to a spiteful 32-10 victory.

Israel Folau admits he's still only a 50-50 prospect of returning for the Waratahs next weekend despite flying out for South Africa on Saturday.

Blues' supporters questioning the wisdom of getting Ma'a Nonu back this season should have had their minds put at ease by the performance of the All Blacks midfielder at Eden Park last night.

It wouldn't be a surprise if there are some high profile Super Rugby transfers at the end of this year - big-name All Blacks deciding they need to switch franchise having lost faith in their coaching regimes.

The Blues looked a lot less like the Blues tonight and yet they also looked a lot more like potential playoff contenders.

Watch a replay of our live blog fom the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Highlanders from Eden Park in Auckland.

The Chiefs pride themselves on their depth and that will be tested after making eight changes to the side to face the Bulls tomorrow morning in Pretoria.

Jerome Kaino is back in the No 6 jersey, but Blues' forwards coach Mick Byrne has warned against expecting too much too soon.

A thriller of a match between two struggling teams was settled by a stunning try from Hurricanes wing Alapati Leiua.

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

The limelight has never seduced Kieran Read but he understands it is a consequence of his play.

Tim Bateman doesn't see himself as the saviour of the Hurricanes' backline.

It was Piri Weepu's speech problems while with the Blues in South Africa that prompted the scan that revealed he had played three matches after suffering a minor stroke.