The Crusaders are not everyone's model rugby side. But they understand the basics needed to achieve victories and for that, they need to be admired.

Relive all the action from tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and Highlanders, from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

It will be the first time in two years Smith has not been available for the Highlanders. A leg infection, kept him in hospital across the Ditch for three nights

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.

There's been a lot of chat recently about the decision-making at the Crusaders - and I was one who was critical of some of their selections, Writes Justin Marshall.

If the Blues have taken a step forward in 2014, they are about to take at least two back, writes Gregor Paul.

It’s possible Beauden Barrett is right and an offer from the Blues is in the pipeline.

The Blues might not have a championship-winning No 10 but they do, in Bryn Hall, have a championship-winning No 9.

Join us here for tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Crusaders and the Blues from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

It's hard to think of a more frustrating season for Crusaders fans, writes Brian Ashby. Just when they're starting to look like the real deal, they turn to dog tucker.

A victory over the Hurricanes, with two home fixtures left, would have put the Crusaders in the box seat for a home semifinal. Instead, they lost 16-9, writes Justin Marshall.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Hurricanes have beaten the Crusaders in three of the past five meetings and each time the winning points have come in the final 10 minutes.

Just when McCaw was getting some traction and form, he's back on the sidelines with a broken rib, writes Brian Ashby.

Strange business this Super Rugby competition. It takes a three-week break now and yet it's in the hiatus where it has previously been won and lost.

The New Zealand Rugby Union today confirmed that Crusader Zac Guildford's contract has been terminated.

The Saturday evening clash between the Highlanders and Crusaders was a perfect showcase of NZ rugby, writes Justin Marshall. It showed the excitement and skill levels of Super Rugby at its best.

Apart from their slip-up to the Blues at Eden Park at the start, winning away this season hasn't been an issue for the Crusaders.

A classic game and maybe the cruellest ending. Patrick Osborne was adjudged to have simultaneously placed the ball on the junction of both the goalline and touchline in the last act of the game.

The Crusaders v Highlanders was the game of the year so far. An absolute epic, ending with video referee Vinny Munro having to make one heck of a corner post decision

Watch a replay of our live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs, from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.