The Crusaders were due to fly out of Perth two hours after their defeat to the Western Force - and they played like they had a plane to catch.

In the last few rounds of Super 15, Blues fullback Charles Piutau has been subdued, compared to his normal high-action involvement.

All sorts of pictures have been painted about the return clash between the Blues and Hurricanes but ultimately the five-eighths landscape should dictate this result.

Slap a black jersey on Rene Ranger with the No 12 on the back, declares Wynne Gray.

Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw will miss the Super 15 and tune up for his All Black return with club rugby.

You probably haven't noticed but the Hurricanes have won their past four games.

The wreckage stacked up to seven successive defeats tonight in Dunedin as they fell 30-19 to a controlled Brumbies team.

Not many wings upstage Julian Savea as Frank Halai managed on his Blues debut.

Injury and suspension have caused the only changes to the Blues for their Super 15 rematch with the Hurricanes.

All season, Rene Ranger has been a threat for the Blues and he is about to stretch that potency against the Hurricanes.

No one should have any doubt about the value of television match officials in the Super 15 series.

Rugby should get used to referees' increased use of the television match official, according to Blues coach Sir John Kirwan.