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.

Thursday 3:04pm

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.

Thursday 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

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

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

George Bower of the Crusaders celebrates his try.

Centurion Bower scores first-ever Super Rugby try as Crusaders overrun Blues

Marking his 100th Super Rugby match with his first-ever try, prop George Bower was finally on the board, as the southerners achieved a dominant win against their northern rivals.

Sat, May 9

Crusaders lock and All Blacks captain Scott Barrett.

Scott Barrett's return to Crusaders complicated by 'squeaky moments'

The All Blacks captain and veteran Crusaders lock was due to return from his sabbatical in a fortnight.

Wed, May 6

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

Erin Clark leads the Warriors off the field after their victory over Parramatta in Sydney.

Analysis: Warriors the big winners in battle for hearts and minds

The Warriors and the NRL produce consistently compelling entertainment that Super Rugby cannot currently match, writes Patrick McKendry.

Sun, May 3

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

Blues forward Cameron Suafoa makes a break during the Super Rugby Pacific Round 13 match between the Blues and Queensland Reds at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium in 2023.

Blues unite in show of support for teammate with terminal cancer

Cameron Suafoa announced his retirement from the game last week after the return of an aggressive form of cancer.

Tue, Apr 7

Blues forward Cameron Suafoa.

Blues star retires from rugby after terminal cancer diagnosis

In a video shared to social media, Cameron Suafoa told viewers he was given the "unfortunate news" that his cancer was now terminal.

Fri, Apr 3

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

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga pictured before his team's loss to the Blues at Eden Park.

Tana Umaga confirms approach to help coach All Blacks

The Moana Pasifika head coach distanced himself from a 1News report last week but was more forthcoming at Eden Park today.

Sun, Mar 15

Codemeru Vai celebrates his try for the Blues against Moana Pasifika at Eden Park.

Blues coolly close out victory as Moana Pasifika see red

Moana struggle with their discipline against rivals before head coach Tana Umaga drops big All Blacks hint.

Sun, Mar 15

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga.

'They don't want us here' - Tana Umaga lashes out at rivals Blues

The Moana Pasifika head coach has distanced himself from a story linking him to the All Blacks but had a lot more to say about his former franchise.

Thu, Mar 12

Beauden Barrett talks to Blues coach Vern Cotter after a pre-season game in January.

'Happy it's over' - Beauden Barrett on All Blacks' coaching drama

Dave Rennie's appointment gets the thumbs up from the Blues and All Blacks playmaker, who says he will soon be in talks with the new boss.

Wed, Mar 11