Stats guru Tracey Nelson crunches the numbers from the elimination round where Stephen Brett tackling continues to be a liability for the Blues.

If there was a surprise to come out of last night, it was the length of time it took the Crusaders to rid themselves of a troublesome case of mediocrity.

The Crusaders convincingly beat the Sharks 36-8 in tonight's Super Rugby playoff final at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

Herald rugby writer Dylan Cleaver looks ahead towards the Super 15 elimination finals. Will both NZ teams advance?

Sharks coach John Plumtree has made one change to the starting team that beat the Bulls last weekend.

Seven teams will fight over six playoff spots in the final round of the Super 15. What are the playoff permutations?

Eight hopefuls, six playoff spots. Wynne Gray predicts how the rest of the Super 15 regular season will play out.

Luke McAlister had a night to forget on Saturday but how did his performance measure up against fellow first five-eighths?

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

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

Stats guru Tracey Nelson breaks down the numbers from week 10 of the Super 15.

At the halfway point of the competition stats guru Tracey Nelson takes a look at the names leading the numbers for the New Zealand teams.

Crusaders' second five-eighth Sonny Bill Williams has been an off-load machine so far this season. Just how many has he dished out?

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

Steve Walsh will referee the Super rugby match between the Crusaders and the Sharks at Twickenham on Monday morning (NZt).

The Chiefs have breathed life into a Super 15 rugby season with a gritty 15-9 upset victory over the previously unbeaten Sharks.

The RFU have given the Crusaders the go ahead to play the Sharks in a Super 15 clash at Twickenham later this month.