Will Jordan – the sole specialist fullback in the All Blacks' squad – has a calf injury. The next best may be Jordie Barrett, writes Patrick McKendry.
Rugby
Fri, Jun 26
The champion Hurricanes broke records and the Chiefs after entering a flow state in Wellington that had to be seen to be believed, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, Jun 21
The home side scored nine tries in Wellington to consign the Chiefs to their fourth grand final defeat in a row.
Sat, Jun 20
Former Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna talks to 1News about his recipe for success in Europe and his gratitude towards his former franchise.
Fri, Jun 19
The Canes have named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's final in Wellington – while the Chiefs have had to make two injury changes.
Wed, Jun 17
The two best teams in the competition reached next Saturday's showdown after remarkably similar semifinal demolitions.
Sun, Jun 14
The Canes will have home ground advantage when they play the Chiefs in the grand final next Saturday night.
Scotty Stevenson and Patrick McKendry discuss Super Rugby's upcoming semifinals – including what Beauden Barrett's return means for the Blues.
Wed, Jun 10
Halfback Cam Roigard says his team are embracing the expectation as competition front-runners ahead of Saturday's semifinal.
The Crusader was rocked by a high tackle in his team's win over the Blues but did not receive a head injury assessment, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, Jun 7
The top-placed Hurricanes won Friday's Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final 66-12, scoring five tries before the break.
Sat, Jun 6
If the Hurricanes and Chiefs win this weekend, the Blues will go through to the Super Rugby semifinals even if they lost to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Thu, Jun 4
Irish club Munster was one of the clubs keen on the All Blacks tighthead prop.
The Crusaders have sold out their new stadium five times in a row and welcome a Blues team counting the cost after their defeat to the Chiefs.
The Chiefs and All Blacks No.10 says he has recovered from a head injury which sidelined him for two weeks.
Tue, Jun 2
The qualifier game will likely be the final Crusaders match at their new home this season.
The Blues, needing a win over the Chiefs to secure a home qualifier, were thrashed, but they may yet make the top four, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, May 31
Dave Rennie can currently select four Test locks in his squad next month but, beyond that quartet, the cupboard is rather bare, writes Patrick McKendry.
Fri, May 29
A recurrence of a calf injury during the Crusaders' win at the weekend will sideline Jordan for another four to six weeks.
Tue, May 26
Ruben Love is currently the best performing No.10 in the country and should look to July Test series with confidence, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, May 24
Analysis: The new All Blacks head coach is a master at making his thoughts clear without stating the obvious, writes Scotty Stevenson.
Tue, May 12
Fainga'anuku's switch from the midfield to flanker (and back again) has made the Crusaders' attack far more threatening, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, May 10
Crusaders back-turned-flanker Leicester Fainga'anuku may stay in the No.7 jersey for his team's crunch game against the Blues on Friday.
Mon, May 4
Fainga'anuku will start at No.7 again for the Crusaders against a Hurricanes team on the up this season.
Thu, Apr 30
Christchurch turned it on this weekend and provided a public relations win for the game at just the right time, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, Apr 26
