The 14-time champions have faced a massive injury toll and an unprecedented losing streak in their 2024 campaign.
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The All Blacks head coach faces a delicate balancing act managing disappointment if he attracts veteran lock back home, writes Patrick McKendry.
Thursday 11:10am
Forget playing in Christchurch, playing the Drua in Fiji in February or March is now the toughest gig in Super Rugby, writes Patrick McKendry.
Mon, Mar 25
The Blues won for the first time in 10 years against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
Sat, Mar 23
The big lock returns for crunch match at Eden Park as Blues scent blood against struggling defending champions.
Wed, Mar 20
His initial yellow card was upgraded to a red on review yesterday.
Tue, Mar 19
The Hurricanes are still flying, the Chiefs bounced back, and Moana Pasifika enjoyed another win. It was slim pickings elsewhere, writes Patrick McKendry.
Mon, Mar 18
Crusaders prop Franks was sinbinned in the dying moments of the match when he took out Hurricanes forward Justin Sangster with a head high shoulder.
The defending champions have started their season with four losses in four weeks - and it might get worse, writes Patrick McKendry.
Sun, Mar 17
The Crusaders have been beaten by the table-topping Hurricanes 14-10 to remain without a win this season.
Fri, Mar 15
With some big scalps already this year, Australia's teams look far more convincing than in the recent past.
Thu, Mar 14
Struggling defending champions face up to more bad news - their skipper has broken a finger and faces a long lay-off.
Wed, Mar 13
Analysis: Is first-five still the key tactician in rugby, or has halfback taken over? Cam Roigard's influence suggests the latter, writes Patrick McKendry.
Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett said they simply did not execute the game plan.
Sat, Mar 9
"I think we had 36 opportunities with the ball and 18 of them turned into errors and turnovers…we’re better than that," Penney said.
Wed, Mar 6
Former Crusader and Wales international Johnny McNicholl has left Scarlets and will return to Christchurch as an injury replacement.
Tue, Mar 5
The two Pacific rivals contributed to the match of the weekend in Melbourne but the Chiefs look increasingly ominous, writes Patrick McKendry.
Mon, Mar 4
The defending champions were humbled in Melbourne to go 0-2 for the season after opening loss to Chiefs.
Sun, Mar 3
The Chiefs got the job done in round one against the Crusaders but they didn't look the same without their first-five, writes Patrick McKendry.
Mon, Feb 26
Re-match of last season's grand final goes down to the wire - and this time it was the Chiefs who took the spoils in a thriller.
Fri, Feb 23
George Bower to start in Super Rugby opener following knee reconstruction, with Crusaders fielding two former All Black props on the bench.
Thu, Feb 22
New Crusaders coach Rob Penney knew he faced a rebuilding job - Will Jordan's shoulder surgery means it just got tougher, writes Patrick McKendry.
Tue, Feb 20
The Crusaders have confirmed surgery on Jordan's shoulder injury means he's unavailable for selection during the season.
Shoulder injury which may require surgery could rule the free-running outside back out of the Super Rugby season.
Mon, Feb 19
The 12 franchise captains travelled to Auckland to celebrate season start but questions remain about the Rebels and Moana Pasifika, writes Patrick McKendry.
Wed, Feb 14