With Minnesota Vikings tight end Rhett Ellison visiting training this week, it's tempting to ponder how some of the Blues' best would handle a job swap.

Super Rugby begins its 20th year tonight with maybe not even a quarter of the excitement and intrigue as it did in Palmerston North 1996.

Second, losing to the Waratahs in the Sydney final. Traditionally slow burners, the Crusaders slipped uncomfortably back into a familiar pattern.

The Crusaders' proposal to hold a home game against the Hurricanes in Fiji next season has been signed off by the franchise's board, but it has yet to convince the New Zealand Players' Association, which remains concerned about the fixture.

There might be a few players from the Crusaders who will have extra motivation in the All Blacks' camp this week.

All Black lock Sam Whitelock has defended himself and Crusaders teammates after images of them posing with dead big-game animals were posted online.

One of Todd Blackadder's first acts on his return to Christchurch after the heartbreak of the final defeat will be to ensure his side have the best players possible for next year.

There will be global indifference felt towards the Waratahs' maiden title but massive satisfaction that Richie McCaw was cast as the villain in an epic final.

The Crusaders began slowly, rose to a strong sequence deep in the Super 15 tournament, but could not close the deal.

Take another bow, Richie McCaw. Well, that's my position. There are others who may be hurling brickbats his way.

The Crusaders have been given a heroes' welcome following a heartbreaking last-minute loss in the Super Rugby final in Sydney.

The irony of Crusaders legend Andrew Mehrtens playing a significant role in the downfall of his old team was not lost on Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.

Analysis of the Crusaders' 2014 Super Rugby campaign will no doubt focus on the final five minutes at Homebush on Saturday night.

An ecstatic Adam Ashley-Cooper dubbed it "100 per cent the greatest moment in my rugby career" .

Evidently the Waratahs didn't hand any advantage to the Crusaders by shifting the final to Olympic Park.

Fairytales do come true after all. The Waratahs, after 18 seasons of underachievement, finally won their first Super Rugby title tonight.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby final between the Crusaders and the Waratahs in Sydney.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read caused a minor controversy ahead of tonight's Super Rugby final when he left a captain's photo opportunity before his Waratahs counterpart Michael Hooper arrived.

For Dan Carter, match day doesn't change, no matter the occasion or the opposition.

History shows there have been 18 hyped-up yet fruitless campaigns for the Waratahs.

An avid Chiefs supporter is switching his Super Rugby allegiance - but just for one night.

Mic Check versus the Silver Fox. The sub-plots in finals week are almost as interesting as the Big Show. The volatile Michael Cheika versus the understated Todd Blackadder.

Give the Super Rugby trophy to the Waratahs now. Bookies in NZ are clinging to the notion that the Crusaders are on a roll, but Wynne Gray doubts that.

In today's column I want to have an in-depth look at Nemani Nadolo and the way the Crusaders have improved him out of sight and vice versa.

The week of a grand final can be difficult to get right in terms of preparation, but for the Crusaders the experience of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read is shining through.