Rugby: Weepu at home in Wainui
It is a very different Piri Weepu this season at the Blues.
It is a very different Piri Weepu this season at the Blues.
For Cruden, Dan Carter's back-up at first-five for the All Blacks but facing competition from other players with designs on the No 10 jersey, it will be a case of improving his consistency and taking more of a leading role.
In his 27 years of coaching, Wayne Smith has never missed watching his team play live, but that's all about to change this weekend.
They are flying high in the New Zealand conference and the Chiefs are about to be strengthened by the return from injury of three key players.
The Reds are holding their breath as in-form flanker Liam Gill has scans on his knee before Saturday night's Super 15 clash with the Bulls.
Zac Guildford made a popular return to the training field for the Crusaders today, impressing with his fitness despite an absence of almost two months.
Seven competition points represents a good South African trip for the Chiefs but other, less positive, numbers are worrying coach Dave Rennie.
The Chiefs have secured a bonus point victory against the Southern Kings, but had to withstand a big comeback from the home side, which was expected to struggle against the defending champions.
The Blues makeover is continuing with a syndicate making a multi-million dollar offer for a stake in the Super 15 rugby franchise.
The Blues coach enjoys his 'gloriously imbalanced' way of looking normal but being different.
Tracey Nelson looks at the key statistics ahead of this week's Super 15 clashes.
For a player who didn't practise his goalkicking much in pre-season, Chiefs fullback Gareth Anscombe is doing an excellent job of bluffing his way through.
With his alcohol issues resolved, Zac Guildford's return to the Crusaders is a massive boost for a team struggling for attacking inspiration, says Patrick McKendry.