Highlanders

The Crusaders have the inside running to defend their Super Rugby title after securing top spot for the finals with a 45-22 win over the Highlanders.

The Chiefs have turned on some Pacific-style razzle-dazzle in a 45-22 win over the Highlanders in their Super Rugby match in Suva.

Waisake Naholo finished off a beautiful team try to ensure the Highlanders kept up their hunt for the Super Rugby playoffs when they beat a spluttering Hurricanes outfit 30-14 in Dunedin.

The Highlanders have named ten current or past All Blacks in their line up when they host the Hurricanes on Friday night.

The Waratahs have restored some national pride with a hoodoo-busting 41-12 Super Rugby win over an undermanned Highlanders outfit in Sydney.

Aaron Smith returns to a near-full strength Highlanders team wary of the Waratahs' state of mind when they meet in Sydney on Saturday.

Lima Sopoaga's last minute penalty kick secured the Highlanders a narrow 29-28 victory over the Bulls and secure a sixth win in eight Super Rugby games this year.

The Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith has been moved to the right wing for their Super Rugby game against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning.

A 68th-minute Sean Wainui try and two others scored either side of half time has propelled the Waikato Chiefs to a 27-22 victory over the Otago Highlanders in Hamilton on Friday.

Blacks halfback Aaron Smith bagged a double for the Highlanders as the beat the Stormers 33-15 in a five-try Super Rugby win in Dunedin.

Inside centre Teihorangi Walden scored two tries when the Auckland Blues were reduced to 14 men to give the Otago Highlanders a 41-34 victory in their Super Rugby clash in Dunedin on Friday.

With cyclone Gita and a rash of wild weather dominating this week's headlines, one could be forgiven for forgetting about the approaching Super Rugby storm.

The NSW Waratahs have come within seconds of ending Australia's losing streak to New Zealand Super Rugby teams.

The Super Rugby defending champion Crusaders opened 2018 with a humbling 43-22 trial loss to the Hurricanes in Greymouth.

The Highlanders will take on the Chiefs in a New Zealand Super Rugby derby in June in Fiji.

The All Blacks have lost their back up first-five with Lima Sopoaga confirming he will quit New Zealand rugby for England at the end of the Super Rugby season.

The All Black front row return to the Crusaders' starting line-up for their Super Rugby quarter-final clash against the Highlanders in Christchurch on Saturday.