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

Hurricanes and All Black halfback TJ Perenara has set the standard for training ground tricks in Super Rugby with an amazing left-footed sideline conversion.

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.

The four-year coaching reign of Mark Hammett came to an end as he led them to seventh place and they missed the playoffs.

Incoming Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd first guided Ma'a Nonu as part of the Wellington B side more than 10 years ago and they will reunite that partnership at Super Rugby level next season.

Mark Hammett's legacy at the Hurricanes will centre around what he achieved away from the bright lights of Westpac Stadium.

Mark Hammett says the Hurricanes were in a state of disarray when he took over the coaching reins ahead of the 2011 season.

Ask his coach whether Brodie Retallick should be regarded the best lock in world rugby and Dave Rennie leaves little doubt.

If Mark Hammett wakes up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat this week it could be following a nightmare about the amount of close losses the Hurricanes have suffered.

I know people will be lining up to lay into Mark Hammett by asking 'what has he done in four seasons coaching the Hurricanes?' but I'm standing by him.

The Chiefs are still full of hope but they will need to be a lot more clinical and patient when they meet the Hurricanes on Friday night at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett will have the depth of his squad tested this week as his men eye another must-win Super Rugby encounter against the Chiefs on Friday night

A victory over the Hurricanes, with two home fixtures left, would have put the Crusaders in the box seat for a home semifinal. Instead, they lost 16-9, writes Justin Marshall.

Watch a replay of tonight's live blog of the Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and the Crusaders from Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The Hurricanes have beaten the Crusaders in three of the past five meetings and each time the winning points have come in the final 10 minutes.

Chris Boyd and John Plumtree have been named as the Hurricanes new coaches for next season.

Ihaia West's performance in the Blues' big victory over the Hurricanes on Saturday night proved he is not only at home at this level.

John Kirwan must have had mixed feelings watching his team humble the Hurricanes at Eden Park tonight. On the one hand he will be ecstatic, on the other, he will question why his team can't do this away

Relive all the action from the Super Rugby clash between the Blues and the Hurricanes from Eden Park in Auckland