The Chiefs have kept their hopes of three consecutive Super Rugby titles alive with a win over the Blues at Eden Park tonight.

He arrived under a metaphoric cloud, left under a literal one and yet Ma'a Nonu was nothing but a little ray of sunshine in his second stint with the Blues.

Foot and ankle injuries have combined to make this a frustrating year for Francis Saili, but as the Blues' season comes to a conclusion, he need only look at how he might fit into next year's midfield equation to put a fresh perspective on things.

If it takes until their backs are against the wall for the Chiefs to find true form, then the champs are exactly where they want to be tonight.

The first match in which Blues first-five Ihaia West plays with his short-term future secured could also be the one in which he feels the most pressure.

Ask his coach whether Brodie Retallick should be regarded the best lock in world rugby and Dave Rennie leaves little doubt.

The Chiefs have found form at the vital time to set up a potentially pivotal showdown with the Blues next weekend.

The Chiefs are still full of hope but they will need to be a lot more clinical and patient when they meet the Hurricanes on Friday night at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

The Chiefs looked like the same side who entered the June window during Friday's 29-25 crushing loss to the Highlanders.

Versatility was their key strength last year but the Chiefs have desperately missed specialists and consistency of selection in 2014.

The Chiefs’ reign as champions is virtually over but the Highlanders have shown there remains at least one Kiwi challenger for the Super Rugby title

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Chiefs from Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The Chiefs are hoping some "top secret" changes made during the June break can propel them towards the Super Rugby playoffs.

The competition to wear the No10 jersey for the All Blacks against England next month is wide open after Hurricane Beauden Barrett engineered a demolition of the Chiefs.

Dave Rennie described the Chiefs as "a distant third" in their heavy defeat against the Hurricanes but there was one bright spot amid the gloom.

The Chiefs are showing their support for Rotorua born, NBA player Steven Adams. A video by Adams favourite rugby team wishing him luck for his Oklahoma City Thunder team. The 20-year-old is an avid fan of the Super Rugby team Courtesy Chiefs Rugby/YouTube.