Lions flanker Michael Rhodes has copped a six-week ban for his wrestling-like tackle on Highlanders winger Siale Piutau.

The Chiefs are sweating on the fitness of one of their in form backs ahead their Super Rugby match against the Blues on Saturday night.

Stuart Dickinson's name is missing from the referees list for this weekend's round of Super 15 matches.

What the Crusaders have done this year surpasses anything they have achieved before, with the exception of their unbeaten 2002.

The Highlanders will wear their new strip when they run out to face the Force at Carisbrook.

Missed tackles almost proved costly for the Hurricanes while penalties hurt the Crusaders' chances of a vital away win.

Richie McCaw has carried the Crusaders to countless victories, but last night he played the biggest hand in losing.

Quade Cooper landed an 80th-minute penalty to give the Queensland Reds a 17-16 win over the Crusaders.

It wasn't even a Brumbies player or gung-ho marketing executive who dubbed the Canberra outfit "the Real Madrid of Australian rugby".

The Stormers posted their first Super Rugby win in a chilly Canberra with a 16-3 triumph against the Brumbies

The Lions clinched their maiden victory in the deep south with a 26-22 win over the Highlanders at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

The Hurricanes have clung on to a Super 15 rugby playoffs lifeline thanks to a determined 34-28 win over Western Force tonight.

Stats guru Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers ahead of this week's Super 15 action.

The Highlanders have confirmed they are looking at changing the colour of their playing strip.

Dylan Cleaver breaks down round 15 of the Super 15. Can the Hurricanes move off the bottom of the NZ conference?

Coach also adds Brad Thorn and Owen Franks to starting XV.

The Crusaders risk having their party balloons burst by the Reds in a Super 15 rugby match in Brisbane on Sunday night.

Your betting guide to all the rugby action over this week as the bookies give their inside view.