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.

Saturday night footy at nzherald.co.nz brings you livescoring of the tonight's NRL and Super Rugby matches.

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.

The Crusaders have been boosted by the return of Brad Thorn and Sonny Bill Williams for Sunday's clash against the Reds.

All Black captain Richie McCaw announced today he has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union for another four years.

Read all about it - Richie McCaw will stay in New Zealand on a long-term deal.

Todd Blackadder believes Sonny Bill Williams should get the same treatment from the NZRU as Dan Carter and Richie McCaw.