There has been a quiet confidence within the Crusaders that their season is anything but over, but the results at the weekend have made their playoff dream a more realistic one.

A rampant attack and a generous opponent combined to provide a fitting farewell for a quintet of Crusaders tonight

Richie McCaw is managing to temper his emotions ahead of the probable end of an era for several Crusaders teammates.

The Hurricanes beat the Crusaders in Wellington tonight and every one of their four tries were worthy of the highlights reel.

Colin Slade or Beauden Barrett? Beauden Barrett or Colin Slade? The starting order would not matter, the All Blacks would be happy with either at first five eighths.

The Crusaders got more traction when they kept the ball instead of hoofing it downfield but still look a little uncertain about their attacking methods and transition, writes Wynne Gray.

If the Crusaders want to feature at the top end of the table, a handful of individuals need to take greater responsibility for their performances, writes Richard Loe.

How the Blues must be wondering when this interminable season is going to end. The defeats are blurring now.

Blues' first-five Dan Bowden knows what it's like to play outside Dan Carter and he insists the struggling All Black isn't finished yet.

After watching the demolition job the Chiefs did on the Crusaders, there was one really disappointing aspect to emerge.

Richie McCaw knows he's playing short of his peak - and the statistics support that assertion.

The Chiefs easily recovered from the first-half loss of Aaron Cruden to secure a memorable double over the Crusaders in Christchurch tonight.

Relive all the action from the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Chiefs at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

Something's just not right with the Crusaders. They tinker with their combinations, often swapping test men for test men but progress is marginal.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder is anticipating another "epic battle" in his team's derby with the Chiefs this weekend.

Colin Slade's decision to play overseas next year has just made Todd Blackadder's rebuilding job at the Crusaders in 2016 a whole lot tougher.

Crusaders pivot Colin Slade has signed a three-year contract with French club Pau, where he will earn about $700,000 a season.

The Highlanders certainly showed they have playoff credentials by going to Christchurch and winning. It was a statement win, writes Justin Marshall.

Time to take the Highlanders seriously. A victory in Christchurch suggests they are good enough to win this thing and no one should take their eye off them now.

Those nagging goal-kicking issues won't go away for New Zealand first fives Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden in this year's Super Rugby competition.