HURRICANES

In the news: Ma'a Nonu gets a week off, actually two with the bye, for clobbering Highlanders prop Clint Newland. Is it me or is this spot always easy to fill when it comes to the Canes?

Physio's table: Neemia Tialata (knee), Cory Jane (hip), Chris Masoe (back), John Schwalger (back). All expected to be fit this week.

The good: When you play terribly and still win, you are doing something right. In the Canes' case, that's defending. Hawke's Bay wing Zac Guildford returned to training yesterday.

The bad: Jerry Collins called it a lack of rhythm after the scratchy win over the Highlanders. The Hurricanes looked like a white man in a disco, dancing to a Jackson 5 track, whenever they got the ball.

CRUSADERS

In the news: Richie McCaw cruelly lulls the Force into a false sense of security when he limps away from training with a sore groin. At 24-12 it appears the ploy has backfired, but McCaw drops the act in the second half as the Crusaders go on to notch their fourth win.

Physio's table: Mose Tuiali'i (ankle), Kade Poki (hamstring).

The good: The Crusaders show massive character to come back from a big deficit and continue to be the most clinical side in the competition at taking every scoring chance presented.

The bad: The Force exposed some holes in the Crusaders backline defence and their vulnerability when they turn the ball over, with so many players committed to the attack.

BLUES

In the news: Skipper Troy Flavell confirms he's going back to Japan next year.

Physio's table: Isa Nacewa (knee, 6-8 weeks).

The good: A tour of South Africa out of the way and three weeks at home should go a long way toward sealing a place in the playoffs. Though they lost in Durban, the Blues still created enough opportunities to win the match.

The bad: Nick Evans is mortal, having an off day against the Sharks, while his forwards got sucked into a physical contest and seemed reluctant to admit the wall was not going to collapse.

CHIEFS

In the news: Stephen Donald may look like he's kicking a beach ball most of the time, but nails the most important kick of the match for the second week running to down the unlucky Cheetahs.

Physio's table: Dwayne Sweeney (bruised thigh), Richard Kahui (ankle), Aled de Malmanche (groin), Jamie Nutbrown (knee 3-4 weeks), Jono Gibbes (hamstring, 5 weeks), Kristian Ormsby (shoulder, season over).

The good: The Chiefs are fit enough to outlast the Cheetahs and crawl out of a 17-0 pit despite numerous injuries.

The bad: Fitness will not be enough to reach the Super 14 playoffs, and Donald continues to struggle with his goal-kicking and decision-making.

HIGHLANDERS

In the news: Skipper Craig Newby finally recovers from his foot injury to make his season debut.

Physio's table: Lucky Mulipola (broken arm, back training).

The good: The bye week gives them time to stew for a week before gearing up for a clash against the Force in Queenstown in a fortnight's time. Sixth best defence in the competition. Clint Newland having a storming season at prop and Steven Setephano at No 8.

The bad: Attack lacks variety, 22 minutes in the Canes' 22 and no tries. Sharing the foot of the table with the Cheetahs. Second worst attack in the competition.

AUSTRALIA WATCH

In the news: Reds lock John Roe is relieved of the captaincy; the less said about the Queenslanders the better for everyone. Timana Tahu is tipped to finally play at centre for the Waratahs after barely touching the ball in three games on the wing. The Brumbies ask first-five Christian Leali'ifano why he tried a chip from his own 22 against the Waratahs when it was raining so hard in Sydney that people couldn't see. He is unsure.

Pick of the bunch: The Force lose, but look a side capable of making the playoffs. Centre Ryan Cross, first-five Matt Giteau, lock Nathan Sharpe and openside David Pocock give them big-time players in all the key positions.

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH

In the news: Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner gets two weeks off for a spear tackle and South African media hail first-five Derick Hougaard's 87.5 per cent goal- kicking record. Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus ignores the ineptitude of the Reds and gets excited about his team's "freedom on attack" in their 34-16 win. The Cheetahs curse Stephen Donald, but no one can hear over Hamilton's annoying chainsaw fan. "Just like winning becomes a habit, so does losing," says Lions coach Eugene Eloff. Now there's a team talk.

Pick of the bunch: Still the Sharks, but the Stormers and Cheetahs are worthy of an honorable mention as the Jaapie sides come to grips with the new rules. That's epitomised by the efforts of Sharks loose forwards Keegan Daniel and Ryan Kankowski against the Blues. More importantly, the Sharks took on and beat the Blues in a wrestling match. Ominous.

The Dominion Post