Dan Carter has returned to his favoured first five position and Richie McCaw will pack down at No 8 when the Crusaders take on the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Blues coach Pat Lam has hit out at the New Zealand Herald, saying it “crossed the line” by sending a reporter and photographer to his Auckland home last night.

Quade Cooper will make his long-awaited return from injury when the Reds take on the Lions in Brisbane on Saturday night.

First five Beauden Barrett will start from the bench when the Hurricanes take on the Brumbies in Wellington on Friday night.

Hosea Gear or Zac Guildford look set to earn an All Blacks recall, with Richard Kahui set to miss the June tests against Ireland with a dislocated shoulder.

The Hurricanes will play the Queensland Reds in a mid-season exhibition game on the Sunshine Coast next month.

Liam Messam and Brodie Retallick have been restored to the Chiefs starting line-up as the side eyes its 10th consecutive win of the season against the Reds in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Hore will captain the Highlanders tomorrow night against the Hurricanes, with regular skipper Jamie Mackintosh being rested.

Reggie Goodes will start his first game for the Hurricanes when they take on the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night.

Richie McCaw returns to the Crusaders starting line-up for their match against the Rebels in Melbourne on Saturday night.

Southland flanker Tim Boys has joined the battered and bruised Highlanders as injury cover.

Charlie Faumuina, Luke Braid and Tom McCartney have re-signed with the Blues for a further two seasons.

Liam Messam will return from injury when the table-topping Chiefs travel to Brisbane to take on the Reds this Sunday afternoon.

Brumbies flyhalf Christian Lealiifano will be sidelined for six months after dislocating and fracturing his right ankle during last Saturday’s 23-6 victory over the Waratahs.

Finally, some good news for the Blues.

It is a case of the walking wounded for the Highlanders following their loss to the Sharks yesterday morning (NZT).

Wing Sean Maitland may make his return from injury when the Crusaders host the Reds in Christchurch on Sunday afternoon in a repeat of last year’s Super Rugby final.

There will be pressure on Doug Tietjens when the Highlanders take on the Sharks in Durban on Sunday morning (Australasian time).

Sonny Bill Williams is putting his hand up to wear the All Blacks No 12 jersey against Ireland in June, says coach Steve Hansen.

The high-flying Chiefs have made multiple changes for their clash against the lowly Lions in Pukekohe tomorrow night