The Crusaders haven't had the start they wanted but I wouldn't be too worried about their longer term prospects. Not yet, anyway, writes Richard Loe.

Outrageously young, supremely talented and yet virtually unknown, Tevita Li took a giant step towards stardom last night, writes Gregor Paul.

Justin Marshall explains what the Crusaders are trying to achieve with their vertical stacking formation on attack and why it's not working.

Amid the chat about who would feel the selection blade for the Crusaders, Israel Dagg's demotion was not on the radar after the opening round, writes Wynne Gray.

Every sports competition needs a stack of components to make it more intriguing and they gallantly delivered when Super Rugby kicked off, writes Wynne Gray.

It is easy to write off the Crusaders' loss to the Chiefs on Friday as a bad night in front of the posts, writes Justin Marshall. But for me the Crusaders' concerns should run deeper than that.

The Chiefs had injury dramas before they played the Crusaders, now they have even more but frankly, I doubt whether it will slow them down much, writes Richard Loe.

The latest information released by Super Rugby's governing body Sanzar about the competition's proposed new format is heavy on possibility but light on detail, writes Patrick McKendry.

Herald columnist Justin Marshall breaks down the five franchises ahead of this weekend's NZ Super Rugby launch.

Rugby fans, are you dark that the All Blacks missed the big gong at the Halberg Awards, that league has invaded Eden Park and the Super 15 kicks off early tomorrow?

The arguments for and against resting Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu for the Blues' first game of the season against the Highlanders, writes Patrick McKendry.

Benji, alone, will not be the side's saviour but if the team sparks and his talent begins to flow, the Blues will be an awkward opponent, writes Wynne Gray

Rugby was the winner in 2013. No doubt about that. But did our other traditional football codes have to be such losers?

Early fascination about the Blues' second season under John Kirwan's command will be the ideas about Charles Piutau and Benji Marshall, writes Wynne Gray.

This season he has been so influential in the All Blacks that you believe his presence is more crucial to the team cause than Richie McCaw.

After an unbeaten season with 14 victories secured during the most suspenseful final 84 seconds of their itinerary, the All Blacks have earned their break, writes Wynne Gray.

Only those All Blacks who saved their season in Dublin understand the spirit of that survival, writes Wynne Gray.

Let the post mortems begin on what was almost the most shocking of results.

It's a great time to be a young hooker or a front rower because there are places opening up in the All Black environment.

The All Black team to play Ireland highlights two major elements - how settled they are with their squad and how much depth they have developed.

It's been hard on this tour to know where AIG ends and the All Blacks begin.

The beauty of the sport of rugby is that with every new season you can detect subtle changes in the comparative importance of positions.

Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers from the All Blacks' 30-22 win over England at Twickenham where lock Sam Whitelock stood out in his 50th test.

Ditch the talk about justice for the All Blacks, enterprise against intimidation or revenge for last year's stumble at Twickenham, writes Wynne Gray.