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Crusaders hold off Highlanders
In another compelling Southern derby, the Crusaders held off a late charge from the Highlanders to claim their first win of the Super Rugby season.

As it happened: Highlanders v Crusaders
Join our live blog of the Super Rugby clash between South Island rivals the Highlanders and the Crusaders in Dunedin.

Rugby Herald: Is Dan Carter finished?
New Zealand Herald rugby scribes Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry discuss Dan Carters future as the five-five struggles with injury again in World Cup year.

Justin Marshall: NZ teams' pros and cons
Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.

Super Rugby: Around the grounds
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.

Crusaders: Cup double clouds start to season
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.

A slow-burn start or all fired-up?
Second, losing to the Waratahs in the Sydney final. Traditionally slow burners, the Crusaders slipped uncomfortably back into a familiar pattern.

Rugby: Players concerned over Crusaders' Fiji home game
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.

Richard Loe: Crusade likely in ABs' mindset
There might be a few players from the Crusaders who will have extra motivation in the All Blacks' camp this week.

Star winger 'definitely the better man'
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has praised his Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo for walking away from racial abuse at a Christchurch bar last night.

What now for the Crusaders?
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.

Rugby: I should have known better, McCaw
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.

Rugby: Crusaders get warm welcome home despite last-gasp loss in final
The Crusaders have been given a heroes' welcome following a heartbreaking last-minute loss in the Super Rugby final in Sydney.

Rugby: Mehrtens had a foot in Tahs' win
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.

Justin Marshall: Round-robin defeats haunt Crusaders
Analysis of the Crusaders' 2014 Super Rugby campaign will no doubt focus on the final five minutes at Homebush on Saturday night.

Wynne Gray: Foley takes home side to the summit
The Crusaders began slowly, rose to a strong sequence deep in the Super 15 tournament, but could not close the deal.

Chris Rattue: McCaw shows once again why he is revered
Take another bow, Richie McCaw. Well, that's my position. There are others who may be hurling brickbats his way.

Rugby: Waratahs ironman gains sweet victory
An ecstatic Adam Ashley-Cooper dubbed it "100 per cent the greatest moment in my rugby career" .

Rugby: Late Sydney loss fuel for All Black fire
Evidently the Waratahs didn't hand any advantage to the Crusaders by shifting the final to Olympic Park.

Rugby: McCaw and Foley on Waratahs victory
Fairytales do come true after all. The Waratahs, after 18 seasons of underachievement, finally won their first Super Rugby title tonight. Bernard Foley and Richie McCaw reflect on the Waratahs victory. Plenty could be made of the decision by Craig Joubert to penalise Richie McCaw for coming in from the side, but in the overall wash up, neither side could really complain.