You look at tomorrow's game between the Hurricanes and Sharks and, given their respective positions on the table, think it should be an easy win for the home side.

Sharks coach Gary Gold insists Super Rugby's overall leaders will have to sweat blood to beat the Durbanites this weekend.

A penitent Bismarck du Plessis will return to the Sharks' front row for tomorrow's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin but will not resume the captaincy.

Sharks players who are suspended because of foul play will now be docked their wages.

The continued ill discipline in Super Rugby could lead to a serious, even tragic, injury if players aren't more careful, writes Justin Marshall.

The Bulls may end up being a surprisingly different side in terms of style this year.

Warriors back-rower Feleti Mateo says his side need to be on their guard when they face the struggling Cronulla Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium tomorrow.

Corey Flynn's journey to tonight's semifinal, his 150th match for the Crusaders and a clash against Bismarck du Plessis, considered the best hooker in the world, has been a long and often painful one.

The last time Jean Deysel played against the Crusaders in Christchurch, he spent the night after the game with mixed emotions.

The Crusaders are ready for their semifinal against the Sharks, expecting a strong set piece from the South Africans to be matched by an 'All Black' tight five and two AB skippers playing in the loose. Kieran Read, Richie McCaw and coach Todd Blackadder keen for finals football.

The Sharks swept the Highlanders before them in their qualifier by virtue of their powerful scrum but it is an area that the Crusaders, who possess their own heavy artillery, are likely to target in their semifinal.

This is the time when Super Rugby coaches and their players earn their money.

Let's compliment the Highlanders on the way they approached the game against the Sharks, writes Justin Marshall.

It's been another confusing and often boring Super 15 season but Saturday night's semifinal clash in Christchurch should be well worth the wait, writes Chris Rattue.

White knows that losing just as easily becomes a habit and that is why the Sharks were so desperate for a turnaround in fortunes before the play-offs after the loss to the Cheetahs.

These last two weeks for the Blues have been a bit like watching the Titanic sink.

Watch a replay of our live blog of the Blues taking on the Sharks in Super Rugby action from Albany Stadium.

Paul Gallen hopes Andrew Fifita will stay with Cronulla but the Sharks skipper says he isn't going to pressure the representative star to do so.

The Hurricanes were unable to break through a resolute Sharks outfit as they went down 27-9 in their Super Rugby season-opener in Durban this morning.

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

If the Blues do emerge from a brutal final three weeks and eventually squeeze into the Super 15 playoffs, they certainly will have earned their place.