The Highlanders made a big pitch to keep star winger Waisake Naholo but he had all-but signed a deal to go to France before the season had even kicked off.

The Highlanders' performance in chasing down the Crusaders in Christchurch for a significant victory on Saturday should have been enough to bring the Blues back down to earth.

The Highlanders certainly showed they have playoff credentials by going to Christchurch and winning. It was a statement win, writes Justin Marshall.

At the start of the Super Rugby season, the Blues had a mish-mash of backs while the Highlanders would struggle with forwards. Combine them and they might be handy, writes Wynne Gray.

Time to take the Highlanders seriously. A victory in Christchurch suggests they are good enough to win this thing and no one should take their eye off them now.

We are always very quick to criticise coaches when teams are inept or failing to get results so I would take this opportunity to give credit to the coaches at the Highlanders and Hurricanes.

Hurricanes preserve their unbeaten record for the season with hard-fought win over unlucky Highlanders.

At the start of the season it was mentioned that the Highlanders had a tough draw and how important it was that they got away to a good start because they're going to feel the brunt at the end with....

Something mysterious is going on around this Highlanders mob; they are somehow winning matches which they have no right to win.

Join us here for the live blog of tonight's Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Highlanders at Waikato Stadium.

The Highlanders scored a late try through Waisake Naholo to earn their first win of the season against the Reds in Dunedin.

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.

Justin Marshall, in the first of his twice-weekly columns, casts his eyes over the strengths and weaknesses of the New Zealand franchises.

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.

Finished sixth - beaten in playoffs. Devoid of stars and coming off the back of a horror campaign in 2013, the Highlanders were the tournament's big surprise last year.

Twelve months is a long time in professional rugby.

The Highlanders have announced that 39-year-old Brad Thorn won't be back at the franchise in 2015 and is heading overseas.

Let's compliment the Highlanders on the way they approached the game against the Sharks, writes Justin Marshall.

When the Highlanders look for a "How to beat the Sharks" guide, they can roll through the tape of their Anzac Day demo job in Durban.