Wallaby Berrick Barnes missed a fulltime penalty leaving the Crusaders with an unlikely 23 - 22 win over the Waratahs in Christchurch tonight.

A match worthy of a final and on this form there is every chance the Chiefs and Crusaders will meet again in the play-offs.

Watch a replay of all the action from tonight's Super Rugby match between the Chiefs and Crusaders from Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Hika Elliot's immediate goal is to help his Chiefs team beat the Crusaders in tonight's blockbuster in Hamilton - but also high up on his to-do list is finding an ITM Cup team to play for this year.

If the Crusaders are serious about landing the top spot in Super Rugby's New Zealand conference then tonight's game against the Chiefs in Hamilton seems like the prime time to make their move.

The Crusaders coach said it would be unfair to throw the All Blacks fullback straight back into the fray when he was still struggling with his game.

Mealamu is heading into his 148th match of Super rugby after recovering from the latest strain on those piston calves which deliver such an explosive impact.

It's been nine years since the Blues travelled south and beat the Crusaders in their backyard. In that time the Crusaders have claimed three Super rugby titles, finished runners-up twice and lost four semifinals.

Shortly after Dan Carter expressed his delight at returning to the Crusaders' starting line-up against the Brumbies, he mentioned how once again the men from Canberra are the team to beat, just as they were at the start of his career.

Making sure heads are right is going to be crucial for the Crusaders as they move into the second half of the regular Super season tomorrow against the Melbourne Rebels at AMI Stadium.

The hunt for a victory continues for the Highlanders. For the Crusaders, a different quest - how to rediscover their attacking edge.

Join us here for our live blog of the Crusaders taking on the Highlanders from AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The Crusaders perform best when they play with desperation and a burning sense of injustice, so the Highlanders would be advised to prepare to dodge the metaphorical kitchen sink in Christchurch tonight.

Multiple pitch invasions in the final minutes of the thrilling Western Force defeat of the Crusaders in Perth last night have been described as "unacceptable''.

The Crusaders were due to fly out of Perth two hours after their defeat to the Western Force - and they played like they had a plane to catch.

Crusaders skipper Richie McCaw will miss the Super 15 and tune up for his All Black return with club rugby.

Ill discipline is the baggage the Crusaders need to discard before they meet the Force in Perth this weekend - a game for which they will welcome back Daniel Carter from paternity leave.