Missed tackles almost proved costly for the Hurricanes while penalties hurt the Crusaders' chances of a vital away win.

The Hurricanes have clung on to a Super 15 rugby playoffs lifeline thanks to a determined 34-28 win over Western Force tonight.

Dylan Cleaver breaks down round 15 of the Super 15. Can the Hurricanes move off the bottom of the NZ conference?

Numbers on the scoreboard do not always indicate the calibre of a match.

The Highlanders picked up their second win over the Hurricanes taking out a low-scoring Super 15 rugby match 13-6 in Invercargill.

Stats guru Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers ahead of this week's Super 15 action.

Herald rugby writer Dylan Cleaver breaks down the six Super 15 matches taking place over the next three days.

Get the inside word on the odds ahead of this week's Super 15 action.

Hurricanes halfback Tyson Keats was today suspended for four weeks for a dangerous tackle on Blues halfback Alby Mathewson in their Super 15 match on Friday night.

The Blues withstood a desperate late assault from the Hurricanes to emerge 17-11 victors.

Stats guru Tracey Nelson lists the key numbers ahead of this week's Super 15 action.

Herald rugby writer Wynne Gray breaks down the seven Super 15 matches taking place over the next three days.

Blues and All Black utility back Isaia Toeava has been ruled out of the rest of the Super 15 season due to a hip injury.

Enough is enough for Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett.

Stats guru Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers following week 11 of the Super 15.

Never mind that Aaron Cruden missed a bucket-load of kicks - he nailed the one that mattered.

The 19-year-old could go far with a dearth of first fives.