RugbyPass writers weigh in on who the best signing of 2025 is at the halfway point, as well as the competition’s most underwhelming player and the Blues season grade.
Former Wallaby James O'Connor stepped up and slotted a last-gap penalty to snatch the win for the Crusaders on Friday night.
The Crusaders have now won seven of their last eight encounters against the Blues, showcasing their recent dominance over the Auckland-based franchise. The victory on Friday evening was their second win over the Blues this season, after a 42-19 victory in round six at Eden Park.
Rieko Ioane will follow in the footsteps of All Blacks teammate Jordie Barrett and play for Leinster next season.
A couple of new faces headline the Blues' team naming for their grudge match with the Crusaders in Christchurch.
Mark Tele'a made the right call by signing a deal in Japan effectively ending his time in the black jersey and with the Blues.
Caleb Clarke, Mark Tele'a and Will Jordan have been regularly been used in the past couple of years, but with Tele'a rumoured to be moving overseas to Japan, a spot has opened up.
The Blues have named a strong starting line-up with nine All Blacks for Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash with rivals Moana Pasifika.
Super Rugby Pacific's week-by-week Player of the Year voting system has been bringing fans an insight into which players have been impressing opposition the most in 2025.
The decision by Ineos to renege on a lucrative six-year deal was looking like having a catastrophic impact on NZRU's finances