![Rugby: Blues on the brink](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=793)
Rugby: Blues on the brink
Usually the Blues gather early in the week to dissect video clips, review their last game and wade through ideas for their next match.
Usually the Blues gather early in the week to dissect video clips, review their last game and wade through ideas for their next match.
Brad Thorn has won more things than most players and now he is experiencing life at the other end of the table.
Workaholic flanker Luke Braid has several dates with the Blues medicos before he can confirm his place for the decisive return Super 15 clash with the Highlanders.
Each day this week nzherald.co.nz looks at the progress of the NZ Super Rugby franchises at the business end of the season. Today: Gregor Paul on the last-placed Highlanders.
The Highlanders will have slept well last night despite, finally, winning their first game of the season after eight consecutive losses.
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.
Controversial referee Steve Walsh has been ticked off after he broke the new television match official protocol several times in last weekend's game at Eden Park between the Blues and Highlanders.
The wreckage stacked up to seven successive defeats tonight in Dunedin as they fell 30-19 to a controlled Brumbies team.
Sport has plenty of examples of injustice but, for many at Eden Park on Friday night, the sight of Ma'a Nonu having a horrible "homecoming" was justice aplenty.
Most rugby seasons, there are questions about Ma'a Nonu. Sometimes there are positives about whether he can maintain his rich run of form.
Things look pretty good for the Chiefs and pretty horrible for the Highlanders. The Chiefs are not playing at peak and are still winning. The Highlanders are doing a lot right - but are still losing.
Former All Black Ian Jones answers your questions on the state of rugby.
For Cruden, Dan Carter's back-up at first-five for the All Blacks but facing competition from other players with designs on the No 10 jersey, it will be a case of improving his consistency and taking more of a leading role.