A big factor in why the Chiefs looked a vastly improved side in the last 30 minutes of their victory over the Hurricanes in Hamilton can be found in one significant second-half substitution.

With the blood running hot, it took the cool head of Daniel Carter to steer the Crusaders home tonight.

Watch a replay of our live blog from tonight's international test between the Lions and Wallabies from Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

A rusty performance, this, from the Chiefs, but as we have seen so often over the past couple of years, it was enough to get the job done and in the end it was surprisingly easy.

If the Blues do emerge from a brutal final three weeks and eventually squeeze into the Super 15 playoffs, they certainly will have earned their place.

The news last night that more than 4000 extra seats have been made available for tonight's Highlanders match against the Crusaders in Dunedin should add to the alarm bells ringing in the visitors' camp.

The least funny joke in rugby just got unfunnier, writes Gregor Paul

Most rugby players carry niggling injuries during the season but James Marshall has struggled with the same complaint for the past four years.

Rugby writer Patrick McKendry is on hand to offer a Super 15 refresher course to those who weren't really paying attention the first time around.

Super Rugby will resume next week, with recruitment top of the agenda for all franchises - and it will be the battle for midfielders that will be most intense.

Wynne Gray says the $600,000-a-year deal is the right choice for Rene Ranger. He cannot make that money in New Zealand and there are no guarantees he will stay in the squad or stay injury free.

For Sir John Kirwan, mid-week matches against international sides are the heart and soul of the game.

The Brumbies have qualified for the Super Rugby finals for the first time in nine years after beating the Melbourne Rebels 39-17 at Canberra Stadium late on Friday.

The Chiefs changed the coaching landscape last year when they operated with four full-time coaches instead of the usual two.

You could almost hear Jamie Joseph, coach of the Highlanders, saying: 'Hang on ... what's going on here?'

As the centre of excellence moves north to Hamilton, last year's champs see adoration of Crusaders continue.

It is exciting to see Rene Ranger in Steve Hansen's All Black 23. Do you see any up-and-coming Northland players coming on, or any of promise from the other smaller unions around NZ?

Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers from the weekend's Super 15 action.