Has there ever been such a controversial Auckland lock as Ali Williams? And has the city's place as the home of the great locks in world rugby come to an end?

Jamie Joseph's water-tight contract makes him safe until the end of next year, but his assistants might not be so lucky.

James O'Connor's week just keeps getting worse.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw could be back in the Super 15 next week if Saturday's highly-anticipated return to club rugby is a success.

The Highlanders will play the final match of their disastrous season against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday but no matter what the result is.

Highlanders first-five Colin Slade is set to make a dramatic return to the Crusaders next season as a replacement for Dan Carter.

A season low on expectation but with plenty of highlights is threatening to come to a rather downbeat conclusion for the Blues.

The Highlanders may very well finish the Super 15 with the wooden spoon - but forgive coach Jamie Joseph for feeling rueful about what might have been.

With one week of Super rugby remaining, the top six are confirmed, but the final order is anything but certain.

A performance to celebrate - and there was plenty of toasting in the changing rooms afterwards, but the Crusaders have quickly put their stunning victory over the Chiefs in its place.

There's no doubt the Blues need a bit of star quality at first five-eighths next year but their biggest concern on the recruitment front is strengthening a tight five precariously short of depth and genuine clout.

After years of searching and endless rejections, the Blues may have at last found their world-class No 10 - with Beauden Barrett understood to be seriously contemplating a shift to Auckland.

Jerome Kaino has had an offer to come home - but must decide whether he's willing to take an estimated $500,000 pay cut to play for the Blues next year and have a crack at making the All Blacks World Cup squad.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph must have watched his side's 49-44 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight wondering `where has this been all year?'.

Watch a replay of our live updates from tonight's international test decider between the Wallabies and the Lions from ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

It seems incredible a team with four straight defeats and a losing record could still sneak into the playoffs, but the Blues are hoping to beat the odds.

Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers ahead of the latest round of Super 15 action.