Highlanders lock Tom Donnelly may have played his last game in the Super 14 this season and is not optimistic he will get the chance to play for the All Blacks again until the end of the year.
The scintillating Queensland Reds stamped themselves as genuine Super 14 contenders with dramatic 19-12 upset of the defending champion Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
The Sharks held on to beat the Lions 32-28 in a bruising South African derby in the Super 14.
Crusaders first five-eighth Dan Carter has failed a fitness test on his injured hip and will miss tomorrow's Super 14 rugby match against the Cheetahs.
Halfback Josh Valentine has been ruled out of the Brumbies' Super 14 rugby match against the Hurricanes at Canberra Stadium tomorrow night.
It's nearing desperation for three New Zealand Super 14 rugby franchises, but Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper ventures neither they, nor the Blues and Chiefs, are done with yet.
The inclusion of Super 14 rugby rookie Aaron Cruden is one three changes to the Hurricanes for their match against the Brumbies at Canberra on Friday night.
Prop Toby Smith will make his first start for the Chiefs in a Super 14 rugby match against the Stormers in Hamilton on Friday night.
Former All Blacks and Crusaders prop Greg Somerville is reportedly poised to sign with Super 15 rugby expansion franchise the Melbourne Rebels.
The Highlanders are starting to come apart in a season which promised much and has delivered very little.
First five-eighth Dan Carter became the highest pointscorer in Super rugby history as his Crusaders held out the New South Wales Waratahs 20-13 in an arm-wrestle in Christchurch tonight.
Force captain Nathan Sharpe admits his side was slow out of the blocks this season but is starting to show a bit of consistency.
The Highlanders will be hoping it is third time lucky when they run out at the Queenstown Events Centre tomorrow.
Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie has continued to tinker with the rebuilding Reds by making four changes to his starting side for Sunday morning's (AEST) Super 14 clash with the win-less Lions.
Al Baxter's patience was tested through 100 games before he finally notched his first Super rugby try last weekend.
Super 14 rugby might be coming to Queenstown this weekend but the real show is at grassroots level.
Injury concerns over Waratahs captain Phil Waugh and fellow loose forward Wycliff Palu have eased with both being included in New South Wales Waratahs team to play the Crusaders in a Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch on Saturday night.
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has sanctioned and fined Chiefs loose forward Sione Lauaki for serious misconduct.
There are some who may think the Waratahs should get themselves a framed copy of the Super 14 rugby standings after eight rounds of the competition this season.
Former All Blacks lock Chris Jack will make his first start for the Crusaders in three years against the Waratahs in a Super 14 rugby match at Christchurch, on Saturday night.