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.

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.

The Crusaders trip to the West Coast today as a tribute following the Pike River Mine disaster has been postponed.

Israel Dagg is on the mend from a long term thigh injury which kept him out of the All Blacks end of year tour.

Sonny Bill Williams may still be a chance to play in the Crusaders' first Super 15 match against the Blues.

Sonny Bill Williams says his leg injury won't be made any worse from his upcoming boxing bout.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder backs Sonny Bill Williams' move to enter the boxing ring next month.

All Blacks' assistant coach Wayne Smith has suggested Sonny Bill Williams could spend some time on the side of the scrum in the future.

Sean Maitland has been a shrewd investment for Canterbury.

Sonny Bill Williams will play for Canterbury in the national championship and the Crusaders in next year's expanded Super Rugby competition.

Sonny Bill Williams' hunt for an All Blacks from jersey will begin from Canterbury, a report said this morning.

Israel Dagg's agent says neither the new All Black fullback nor the Crusaders should be penalised for being ambitious.