It’s an outcome that is the new normal under Dave Rennie — the Chiefs tonight reached the playoffs for the fourth straight season to continue their hunt for another title.

Dom Shipperley says he's a better player than when he last appeared for the Wallabies and he's hoping for a chance to prove that.

James O'Connor won't bear the burden of blame on his own for the Reds' deflating 21-14 defeat to the Sharks on Friday.

The Queensland Reds could yet welcome back injured star Quade Cooper for Friday night's clash with the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium.

Rookie first five-eighth Jake McIntyre will make his Super Rugby debut in a new-look Queensland Reds side this weekend.

The embattled Super Rugby side attempt to end their five-match losing streak against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday.

On his knees with head in hand - a shattered Quade Cooper's reaction to his potential match-winning 30m drop-goal attempt being charged down on fulltime said it all on Friday night.

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

Reds backline utility, Auckland-born Karmichael Hunt has been charged with supplying cocaine as part of an investigation by Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission.

Back rower Jake Schatz's second try of the night two minutes after the fulltime siren gave Queensland a 38-31 Super Rugby win over the Highlanders after the Reds nearly blew a 21-point halftime lead.

Jason Woodward kicked a last-minute penalty after Queensland replacement Ed O'Donoghue was sent off for eye gouging to give the Melbourne Rebels a first Super Rugby win over the Reds with a 30-27 victory in Brisbane on Saturday.

This wasn't a message to the rest of the competition from the Crusaders, this was a massacre.

The plummeting Reds' Super Rugby miseries have multiplied with key duo James Slipper and Chris Feauai-Sautia facing extended time on the sidelines.

The Blues thrashed the Reds 44-14 at Eden Park tonight. Read the full match report from Gregor Paul.

Watch a replay of our live blog of tonight's Anzac test between the Kiwis and the Kangaroos in Sydney

There's no place like home for the Queensland Reds, who highlighted their love of Suncorp Stadium with a pressure-relieving 22-17 victory over the Stormers.

This match probably confirmed that the Stormers won't be Super Rugby champions this year and won't make the play-offs, based on this form.

Reds coach Richard Graham wants recalled centre Ben Tapuai to be more assertive to give the Lions' unfancied backline headaches at Johannes-burg's Ellis Park this weekend.