Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu.

'Lucky loser' playoff concept is 'weird', say Blues

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.

3:04pm

Tyrel Lomax.

Lomax turns down big overseas offers to stay with Hurricanes and All Blacks

Irish club Munster was one of the clubs keen on the All Blacks tighthead prop.

12:14pm

Codie Taylor makes a break for the Crusaders against the Hurricanes last weekend.

'Adds more motivation' – Crusaders celebrate home comforts

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.

6:00am

Damian McKenzie has missed two games for the Chiefs after catching a boot to the head in his team's win over the Highlanders.

'I'm ready' – McKenzie poised to return for Chiefs in playoffs

The Chiefs and All Blacks No.10 says he has recovered from a head injury which sidelined him for two weeks.

Tue, Jun 2

Sevu Reece, in his 100th game for the Crusaders, makes a break against the Hurricanes.

Crusaders sell out Blues playoff match in 20 minutes

The qualifier game will likely be the final Crusaders match at their new home this season.

Tue, Jun 2

The Chiefs celebrate a try during their final round victory over the Blues in Hamilton in front of a dejected looking Zarn Sullivan.

Blues sunk by Chiefs but 'lucky loser' semifinal place looms

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

Noah Hotham of the Crusaders scores a try in the tackle of Josh Moorby.

Crusaders dominate Hurricanes 47-14 ahead of playoffs

In the final round of the regular season, the Crusaders celebrated Sevu Reece's century with a commanding win under the roof at Te Kaha.

Sat, May 30

Tupou Vaa'i, left, and Scott Barrett in action for the All Blacks against Argentina last year.

Analysis: Scott Barrett's injury puts spotlight on All Blacks locking depth

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

Will Jordan pictured warming up for the Crusaders before their recent win over the Chiefs in Christchurch.

Calf issue rules Will Jordan out for rest of Super Rugby season

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 runs in for his try for the Hurricanes against the Highlanders.

Analysis: Hurricanes' title push keeps Love in All Blacks' spotlight

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

Hurricanes winger Kini Naholo celebrates his try during the Super Rugby Pacific match between the Blues v Hurricanes held at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand.

'We want to finish first': Hurricanes thrash Blues at Eden Park

After a record 24-47 win over the Blues at Eden Park on Saturday, the Hurricanes are now eyeing an end to their decade-long title drought.

Sun, May 17

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie, pictured on the day of his announcement of his new role, was in vintage form in front of the media today.

'Take some of the language out' - Dave Rennie’s greatest hints

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

George Bower celebrates his try for the Crusaders against the Blues.

Analysis: Leicester's powerful influence is taking Crusaders places

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

Moana Pasifika winger Josh Moorby scores the opening try

Hurricanes too strong and fast for Moana Pasifika

A quartet of tries to winger Josh Moorby has helped the Hurricanes to a strong 50-17 win over Moana Pasifika at a sodden North Harbour Stadium.

Sun, May 10

The versatile Leicester Fainga'anuku says he's eager to contribute for the Crusaders in any way he can.

'I just do the job' – Leicester loving loose forward experiment

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

April 2026
Leicester Fainga'anuku celebrates his try against the Brumbies.

Hurricanes wary as Crusaders ready to let Leicester loose again

Fainga'anuku will start at No.7 again for the Crusaders against a Hurricanes team on the up this season.

Thu, Apr 30

Blues players celebrate Beauden Barrett's successful extra-time penalty which helped them beat the Reds at Te Kaha Stadium.

Analysis: Wildly successful 'super round' gives rugby the boost it needs

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

Chiefs wing Leroy Carter looks for space against the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: Is 'robotic' Super Rugby entering a mid-life crisis?

The competition is celebrating its 30-year anniversary but the vibe just seems off in 2026, suggest 1News writers Scotty Stevenson and Patrick McKendry.

Wed, Apr 22

The Chiefs' players including Damian McKenzie, celebrate their extra-time victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium.

Analysis: McKenzie survives close call as Chiefs take top spot

The Chiefs No.10 starred again against the Hurricanes but a risky decision at the end of regulation time could have backfired, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, Apr 19

March 2026
Tupou Vaa'i and the Chiefs react to conceding a try to the Brumbies in Canberra.

All Black's knee injury adds more pain to Chiefs' defeat

Tupou Vaa'i and two of his teammates have left the Chiefs' squad in Australia a week early following a dispiriting loss in Canberra.

Sun, Mar 22

Match officials, from left, Todd Petrie, Ben O' Keeffe and Maggie Cogger-Orr look at the big screen during the Blues v Chiefs match in round one.

'Frustration': Do Super Rugby officials have breakdown blindness?

Analysis: Suspicions remain – despite denials – that the ruck area is being refereed more leniently in Super Rugby, writes Patrick McKendry.

Fri, Mar 20

February 2026
Crusaders replacement Leicester Fainga'anuku charges for the line during his team's defeat to the Brumbies.

Brumbies enjoy historic victory over clueless Crusaders

The men from Canberra scored eight tries in thrashing the Crusaders in Christchurch - the first time they have won in the city since 2000.

Sun, Feb 22

The three Barrett brothers, from left, Beauden, Scott and Jordie, pictured after the All Blacks' win over the Wallabies at Eden Park last year.

Analysis: Barrett brothers on the brink of a big year for All Blacks

A year out from the World Cup, Beauden, Scott and Jordie are under pressure to prove themselves all over again, writes Patrick McKendry.

Thu, Feb 19

Cortez Ratima runs in for what turned out to be the winning try for the Chiefs against the Blues at Eden Park.

Analysis: Rare Ratima quality enough for Chiefs to pip Blues

1News writer Patrick McKendry runs the rule over Super Rugby Pacific's opening round which featured a mixture of performances.

Sun, Feb 15

Scott Robertson and Codie Taylor celebrate the Crusaders' Super Rugby grand final victory over the Chiefs at Waikato Stadium in 2023.

'He gave so much to the team' - All Black Codie Taylor on sacked mate Razor

Taylor said he was "gutted" for Scott Robertson but there was now an opportunity for a new head coach to reassert New Zealand's dominance.

Wed, Feb 4