All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is expected to return to Super 14 duty four rounds into the competition.

Never mind the drought, it’s rugby time again. The Super 14 kicks off this week with Michael Brown and Paul Lewis looking at all the franchises and their prospects.

After more than 1000 games of Super rugby, the same sides that began the professional rugby series in 1996 will duel at the start of this year's competition.

There seemed to be more laughing and joking going on than rugby as some deserving teens got to test their skills against their sporting idols.

What had been looming as the highlight of the Wairarapa social calendar turned into a damp squib, quite literally.

Carlos Spencer made an approach to the Blues before signing for the Lions.

The Blues were the biggest movers and shakers of the five New Zealand Super 14 franchises who unveiled their 2010 rugby squads today.

Don't expect dramatic announcements when the five New Zealand Super 14 rugby squads for 2010 are unveiled tomorrow.

In a sign the sports sponsorship recession could be over, the BNZ is set to be unveiled as the brand behind New Zealand's five Super 14 franchises.

The No 10-sized hole at the Blues has finally been filled.

The Hurricanes have been shorn of seven potential choices after the provincial rugby transfers list was released.