The Highlanders have continued to stick to their roots with their head coaching appointments.
The All Black rookie says he'll be pushing the 102-cap veteran Aaron Smith for the starting jersey.
Blues first-five scores a brace of tries against the brave but limited southerners who were outgunned once Andrew Makalio was sent off.
The key back returns, along with several other big names, as the Blues aim for a 14th consecutive win this season.
The best round of the Super Rugby Pacific season revealed plenty, including the Blues' will to win against the odds.
The Highlanders blew it against the Rebels in Melbourne but a losing bonus point is enough to put them into the playoffs against the Blues.
The Crusaders were eyeing a relatively comfortable potential semifinal against an Australian team but now they may have to face the Chiefs.
The inevitable foul play ban for the converted first-five could be costly for Highlanders as they battle for the last quarter-final spot.
Brumbies' grinding style may have shown way for Blues' playoffs rivals, who are likely to be Kiwi teams, writes Patrick McKendry
Converted No.10 shown a red card for tipping Michael Hooper on to his head, an act which may effectively end his season.
The halfback's power game can help transform All Blacks' stuttering attack ahead of next year's World Cup, writes Patrick McKendry.
The Highlanders copped two overlapping yellow cards in the early stages, giving the Reds an advantage they looked to have made the most of.
The Highlanders have come back from being down 24-17 at halftime to claim a three-point win in Suva.
Breakfast sport reporter Zion Dayal got amongst the fans in Suva ahead of the game between the Fijian Drua and Highlanders.
Both sides are desperate to come out on top in the historic match for the Fijian outfit.
The Fijian Drua host the Highlanders in Suva on Saturday after spending the first nine rounds of their debut season based in Australia.
The All Blacks prop got the message after saying the game's physicality was at stake after a spate of red cards in Super Rugby Pacific.
The suspension for the Crusaders lock was predictable, but the three-week ban for Hurricane Asafo Aumua is evidence the match officials got it very wrong.
Aaron Smith's criticism of officials after Hurricanes loss is close to the mark but inconsistencies were clear throughout, digital sports reporter Patrick McKendry says.
Shannon Frizell and Manaaki Selby-Rickit have been ruled out of the rest of the regular season with knee injuries sustained against Moana Pasifika.
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