The Blues are on the hunt for a new chief executive after confirming the franchise and the Auckland Rugby Union would be led independently.
 

With all the hype surrounding the various test matches being played around the world, it could be easy to forget that there are two Super Rugby games on in Australia this weekend.

The Highlanders produced the biggest upset in round 16 when they brought the Blues to their knees.
 

All Blacks and Highlanders wing Hosea Gear will head to France at the end of Super Rugby.
 

The Hurricanes will play the Crusaders in a non-competition game in Levin next month.
 

Blues coach Sir John Kirwan has made five changes to his side for its clash against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Saturday night.
 

Hooker Corey Flynn will make his return from injury when the Crusaders take on the Waratahs in Christchurch tomorrow night, while Andy Ellis will start the match from the bench alongside Robbie Fruean.
 

Waratahs No 8 Wycliff Palu has been ruled out of the side’s clash against the Crusaders in Christchurch tomorrow due to a knee injury.

Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith and hooker Dane Coles will return from injury when the side takes on the Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.

The Chiefs have reminded the other Super Rugby sides why they claimed the title last year.

Out-of-form Highlanders hooker and skipper Andrew Hore has been demoted to the bench for the team’s match against the Force in Perth tomorrow night, while second five Ma’a Nonu will return from injury.

Crusaders prop Owen Franks has been forced to withdraw from the side for tomorrow night’s clash against the Chiefs in Hamilton due to a hamstring injury.

Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer has named eight new players in his second training squad to prepare for its tests against Italy, Scotland and Samoa next month.

Centre Robbie Fruean has been benched for the Crusaders’ clash with the Chiefs in Hamilton tomorrow night.

The Crusaders are back to their dominating best and they proved as much as they crushed the Blues 23-3 in Christchurch.

Kieran Read returns to the Crusaders’ starting XV and Israel Dagg remains on the bench for the side’s clash with the Blues in Christchurch tomorrow night.

The Reds have put the rest of the competition on notice.

Injury concerns for Aaron Cruden and Tim Nanai-Williams have been offset by the returns of Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Ben Afeaki for the Chiefs’ clash with the Force in Pukekohe tomorrow night.

Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith has been ruled out of the side’s match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Saturday morning (NZT) after suffering a concussion last weekend against the Bulls, but will remain in South Africa.

The Crusaders’ forward pack led the way as the side defeated the Brumbies 30-23 in Canberra on Sunday evening.