It took the Highlanders-Lions game last weekend to crystallise my thoughts on an issue with modern rugby - the TMO (television match official) and, more specifically, the over-use of the TMO is infuriating me.
The Crusaders turned in easily the most impressive performance out of any of side over the weekend in their big win over the Reds.
The Blues go in for a slow but premature death, season after season, and it is happening again, writes Chris Rattue: Sir John Kirwan is shaping as a struggling coach, to be frank.
There might be a few people a bit nervous about the All Black situation at hooker. I'm not one of them. I don't think we are so badly placed, writes Richard Loe.
Something has gone wrong at hooker, writes Gregor Paul. Not for love nor money does the country seem able to produce them in the required volumes.
The opportunity to build a new purpose-built ground on the waterfront leapt out as plans were revealed this week to redevelop the city, writes Wynne Gray.
At the age of just 30, Ellis still has a lot to offer at test level, writes Brian Ashby. There's no doubt that for many in Crusaders territory there will be a sense of injustice if he is again ignored.
The Chiefs are the most lethal try-scoring side in the Super 15 and near the best with their defensive line, while the Crusaders are average in both categories.
The Crusaders clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton this weekend comes at the perfect time.
It has become a constant theme that a lot of refereeing decisions being made in Super Rugby are fairly average, writes Richard Loe.
Justin Marshall breaks down the issues with scrums and how the new rules are blunting the attacking capabilities of backlines.
If you like your rugby loose with frequent scoreboard changes then head for Eden Park on Saturday.
If rugby bosses are serious about making the game more attractive for players, spectators and the television audience, they have to do something about the scrums.
Justin Marshall explains the Stormers' effective use of the out-to-in defence and how the Chiefs will try and break it.
There just might be a good story here, if you give it a chance. That will come as a disappointment if you're after a dissection of the Hurricanes or a panic piece on the Crusaders.
The dossier on the best use for Benji Marshall is expanding, writes Wynne Gray.
There are some words you don't usually associate with English rugby.
Consistency is not yet their forte as they wavered on the Highveld in Pretoria, teasing us they might conjure a late victory before falling 38-22 to the Bulls, writes Wynne Gray.
The All Black skipper has shown on numerous occasions that he can return to top flight rugby after a long lay-off and play miraculously good rugby, writes Gregor Paul.
John Kirwan is on a crusade to get more passion back into his side and stir more support from Aucklanders, writes Wynne Gray.
If you're a fan of the Blues, you have every right to feel encouraged by what you saw on Friday night, writes Justin Marshall.