Benji Marshall will return to the rugby league stronghold of Sydney for the continuation of his rugby union education with some confidence after a 40-minute hit-out against the Hurricanes at Masterton.

Benji-mania might be sweeping the Blues' fanbase but there were few clues as to which of the three options at first five-eighths will make it to the Super Rugby start line later this month.

New Zealand's Super rugby conference is primed for a high-octane start next year with a clash between the Chiefs and Crusaders.

The official heat has been coming on the Hurricanes to patch up their differences with Ma'a Nonu.

There is a commonsense solution to the problem that is Ma'a Nonu - mediation between him and Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett to pave the way for a return to the capital.

The Chiefs have claimed the New Zealand conference title thanks to the Crusaders' unimpressive 25 - 17 victory over the Hurricanes in Christchurch tonight.

It's not often that a dead game has so much life.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph must have watched his side's 49-44 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington tonight wondering `where has this been all year?'.

Watch a replay of our live updates from tonight's international test decider between the Wallabies and the Lions from ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

When it comes to the possibility of Ma'a Nonu returning to the Hurricanes, coach Mark Hammett believes "you never say never''.

Most rugby players carry niggling injuries during the season but James Marshall has struggled with the same complaint for the past four years.

Mark Hammett did things differently this week. He showed his Hurricanes squad the Super rugby points table and then felt comfortable enough to discuss that with the media.