The Crusaders kick off a busy Easter rugby weekend when they look to make it six wins in a row for the new season, hosting the NSW Waratahs in what should be a cracking encounter at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Friday night.

Easter Saturday then features a triple-header involving New Zealand teams: the hapless Highlanders entertain the dangerous Western Force in Queenstown (2.30pm); the Blues will look to halt their losing skid against the dangerous Stormers at Eden Park (5.30pm); while the Chiefs will surely stop the rot against the Bulls in Rotorua (7.35pm).

For the Hurricanes the bye comes at the wrong time on the back of their confidence-boosting victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.

HURRICANES

In the news: Jerry Collins says the media are being too negative about rugby.
Physio's's table: None.
The good: Neemia Tialata is warming to his task as his fitness improves and the scrum is starting to fire, while the counter-attack is second only to the Crusaders. There is also some depth developing in the squad with halfback Alby Mathewson and midfielder Tane Tu'ipulotu unlucky not to be starting.
The bad: The bye isn't good timing for a team finally feeling good about itself and gearing up to play the Crusaders. Still too many turnovers at the tackle where there are not enough players on the ball.

BLUES

In the news: Isaia Toeava suddenly contemplates a stint at first-five on a wobbling Blues ship.
Physio's table: Nick Evans (concussion, day to day), Joe Rokocoko (hand), Isa Nacewa (knee, 5-7 weeks).
The good: The Blues are creating more scoring chances than any other team and led the Force 17-0 before they lost their compass.
The bad: The rudder fell off when Evans went off against the Force suggesting the Blues' title hopes are one injury away from going up in smoke.

CRUSADERS

In the news: Prop Wyatt Crockett is cited for a dangerous tackle, but then let off by the judiciary. Not big news, but I'll do anything to get the best cowboy western name in rugby in print.
Physio's table: Stephen Brett (shoulder, six weeks), Ross Filipo (neck, due back on April 12 to play the Lions).
The good: Another nine tries against the Cheetahs will have many teams almost resigned to defeat against the Crusaders, who thrive on their air of invincibility.
The bad: There's no doubt Brett's injury weakens the Crusade. If Leon MacDonald moves to second-five, Scott Hamilton will not provide the same certainty at fullback. If coach Robbie Deans goes for Tim Bateman at No 12, then the midfield loses punch.

CHIEFS

In the news: Halfback Brendon Leonard jumps to the defence of coach Ian Foster under the headline: Fozzie not the problem. "It's unfair to blame him," Leonard said. "We've got a great game plan, we know when to play to our strengths." Obviously that is later in the competition.
Physio's table: Richard Kahui (ankle, day to day), Sosene Anesi (ankle, day to day), Sitiveni Sivivatu (ankle, day to day), Jamie Nutbrown (medial ligament, 2-3 weeks), Jono Gibbes (hamstring, 4 weeks), Kristian Ormsby (shoulder, out for the season), Mark Burman (knee, out for the season).
The good: Wing Lelia Masaga highlighted the potential this team has to break the line and score tries. More control up front and at first-five and the fire power is there.
The bad: The third worst defence in the competition keeps leaking tries and the Chiefs' tempo on attack is stuck on full-bore meaning their option-taking is awful. They also have an average tactical kicking game.

HIGHLANDERS

In the news: There is an eerie silence in the Highlanders camp as coach Glenn Moore tries a new tactic in a bid to spook the Force. Or is there just nothing left to say after four galling losses.
Physio's table: Ezra Taylor (knee, out for season), Lucky Mulipola (broken arm, could be back this week).
The good: The Highlanders average about 10 points a game raising hopes of a thrilling 10-9 win over the Force at the Queenstown Events Centre this weekend.
The bad: A rare afternoon kickoff for a team coming off the bye against a Force team that thrives on up-tempo conditions means a 10-9 win may be an unrealistic hope for the southerners.

AUSSIE WATCH

In the news: Waratahs loose forward Rocky Elsom tells Aussie rugby he wants to take a sabbatical. Though it's not about the money, Elsom says he will probably play in Europe during his year off. What? Brumbies fullback Julian Huxley's career is over as he contemplates brain surgery to remove a benign tumour.

Pick of the bunch: The Force and their first-five Matt Giteau are fast looking like Australia's best hope of reaching the playoffs, but hats off to the embattled Reds and their coach Phil Mooney. Watching the Reds has been like water torture, so thank God Mooney made some tough calls, demoting David Croft, promoting centre Charlie Fetoai, and handing Sam Cordingley the captaincy.

SOUTH AFRICA WATCH

In the news: Sharks coach Dick Muir is in hot water after calling the Lions' referees manager a "F?@#$ cheat". Bulls coach Frans Ludeke states the obvious after his side loses 40-8 to the Reds - "I'm not happy at all. It is disappointing because what happened in the game is not what we had in mind." Really! A Cheetahs player sums up his team's fortunes when he vomits his post match snack outside AMI Stadium after being pummelled by the Crusaders.

Pick of the bunch: The Stormers have been a breath of fresh air in recent weeks and it's good to see a team from the republic winning on the road. Wing Tonderai Chavanga is awaiting official confirmation that he set a new human land-speed record in scoring his incredible try in Hamilton.

The Dominion Post