The return of Richie McCaw to the Crusaders for their semifinal next Saturday will present coach Todd Blackadder with a dilemma. Where to play him?

Title success has justifiably created a rod for the Crusader backs and they are judged by a higher standard, writes Brian Ashby.

The Crusaders' attack has probably been their Achilles heel this season, but they are looking a lot more balanced now and have an ominous momentum heading into the finals.

If experience counts for one iota in the Super 15 playoffs, the Crusaders will make inroads.

A good night's work led to a good night's kip for the Crusaders. They got their four-try victory and with it, the near certainty that the Sharks, who played overnight, couldn't knock them out of second place. It was a nice place for the Crusaders and nothing less than they deserved. Both teams are in the playoffs but only one looked like they should be. Only one looked like they have any hope of being a threat in the knock-out rounds.

A good night's work led to a good night's kip for the Crusaders. They got their four-try victory and with it, the near certainty that the Sharks, who played overnight, couldn't knock them out of second place.

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.

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.

The agony of defeat and their season ending with it will be hard enough for the Blues to deal with tomorrow morning.

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.

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

Apart from the failure to gain a bonus point in their victory over the Force in Christchurch, the past weekend couldn't have gone any better for the Crusaders.

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.