Repeat finalists the Crusaders are out of the mix this time yet for some of their squad it is a victory, writes Wynne Gray.

The Crusaders are out of the playoffs but it's an absence which just might give the All Blacks and Richie McCaw an extra boost ahead of their World Cup defence.

Sometimes it takes a moment of class to get a team going and last night, once again for the Crusaders, it came from their giant wing Nemani Nadolo.

The Crusaders see Ben Volavola, a 24-year-old not wanted by the Waratahs, as the answer to their exodus at first-five.

The Crusaders got the five points they needs and the Blues avoided total annihilation - a good night all round, then.

Sometimes it takes a moment of class to get a team going and last night, once again for the Crusaders, it came from their giant wing Nemani Nadolo.

Join us for a live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and Crusaders starting at 7.35pm.

You don't expect the Crusaders to be standing in line for miracles but, as Super Rugby heads into its penultimate round, that's exactly where they find themselves.

Blues and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu has been ruled out of rugby for the rest of the year after opting for surgery on a developmental defect with his hips.

The Crusaders are in a precarious tussle for the playoffs and surprisingly, are top of the pile in one department.

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago but, presumably refreshed from their bye week, they still have an important role to play in terms of the final standings.

Some people saw Dan Carter. I saw Nemani Nadolo. Others heralded a Crusaders turnaround. I'd be more inclined to say the Hurricanes are in trouble.

Daniel Carter, after a season of inching forward, took a giant step in the right direction against the Hurricanes in Nelson.

Beauden Barrett's calm influence was sorely missed during the Hurricanes' 35-18 loss to the Crusaders in Nelson tonight

No one condones foul play anymore. Player safety is top of the bill for all rugby authorities and the days of public glory in petty villainy have gone.

If the Crusaders miss the playoffs they will look back on many frustrating matches this season.

The Crusaders' Super Rugby season has been a disappointment - a team with seven losses doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

The Crusaders will almost certainly miss the playoffs for the first time since 2001 after last night suffering their seventh loss of an insipid season.

For more than a decade the Crusaders had a chokehold on the Waratahs, Wayne Gray writes.

Both have a range of outstanding loose-forwards and crunching Fijian power on the wing.

Waratahs coach predicts his side will be entering a Super Rugby war zone against a rested Crusaders side on Saturday.

The Crusaders have to be confident they can avenge last year's title loss to the Waratahs. Anything less this weekend and they'll be out of the 2015 series.

Crusaders assistant coach Tabai Matson was yesterday in Auckland to talk to Blues' players and board members about joining the team and Sir John Kirwan from next year.