For years, the spirit of the Crusaders has been unbreakable.

The Crusaders put aside 10 days of destruction and despair to mark their Super 15 rugby return by beating the Waratahs 33-18.

If this was any old round three Super 15 match there would be no need for the Crusaders to bring in a mental skills coach.

Come what may, the squad will be playing for the people and the province

An air of intrigue hovers over New Zealand teams in this weekend's third round of Super rugby.

Four months after his entrance as an All Black, Sonny Bill Williams will play his first game of Super rugby.

Sonny Bill Williams is set to make his Crusaders Super Rugby debut this weekend.

Emotion is fine but cool heads are needed for Christchurch's rebuilding, writes Chris Rattue.

Stats guru Tracey Nelson looks at the numbers of the Blues' opening Super 15 win over the Crusaders.

Heavyweight New Zealand teams the Blues and Crusaders square off tonight as the nation's amateur selectors begin their World Cup jottings.

Blues lock Ali Williams says he's up for a full 80 minutes - if needed - against the Crusaders tomorrow night.

The duel between the No 7s will be one of many features in a warmly-anticipated Super 15 opening-round clash tomorrow.

The Crusaders will feature three brothers in their line-up when they face the Blues in the opening round of the Super 15 in Auckland on Saturday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is unfazed by an injury that has sent many a rugby heart into overdrive.

Sonny Bill Williams will tomorrow partly make good on a promise he made after he ran out of gas on a country road last year.