NSW Waratahs coach Daryl Gibson has asked his players – and returning second-rower Will Skelton in particular – to match the intensity of the under-threat Melbourne Rebels when the teams meet in Sydney on Sunday.
Melbourne Rebels are set to lose Wallabies backrower Sean McMahon to Japan, with the Australian Rugby Union playing hard ball over his pay demands.
In an incredible twist, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has raised the prospect of no Australian Super Rugby team being cut after all.
The Rebels and Reds fought out another Australian derby at AAMI Park on Saturday night and it was a cracker with the Reds taking the win 29-24.
Canterbury captain Matt Todd scored the only try of the match early in the second half as the Crusaders stayed unbeaten after 11 matches with a 20-12 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes in an enthralling Super Rugby encounter on Saturday.
Why would the Australian coach endorse – even suggest – the recruitment of a 33-year-old rugby league player. I just can't understand it.
The Brumbies have lost three in a row, but can they find form against the Johannesburg Lions? Join us from 7.30pm.
ARU boss Bill Pulver will be front and centre at SANZAAR's executive committee meeting in Tokyo on Friday, but rugby fans shouldn't hold their breath waiting to hear which Australian franchise is cut from Super Rugby.
Sonny Bill Williams will not play against the Cheetahs on Friday after suffering a head knock against the Waratahs last weekend.
New Zealand's worst remains a class above Australia's best after the Blues downed the NSW Waratahs by seven points in their Super Rugby clash in Sydney.
Waratahs winger Cam Clark admits he is still finding his feet in XVs but is happy to keep learning at whatever position coach Daryl Gibson instils faith in him at.
FFA has been unsuccessful in their quest to have the Waratahs match against the Blues moved to North Sydney Oval.
Powerful winger Taqele Naiyaravoro is in major doubt for the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby home clash with the Blues in Sydney on Saturday.
The Reds coach was left fuming at a 16-4 penalty count, while the Waratahs know they must string wins together after beating old rivals Queensland in an emotional derby.
An under-par Chiefs have wasted a golden chance to secure Super Rugby bonus points, defeating the Sunwolves 27-20.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has urged Australia's Super Rugby teams to throw caution to the wind in the next month, before a trio of home Tests he hopes can finally return smiles to the faces of frustrated fans.
The challengers have come thick and fast for Brumbies flyhalf Wharenui Hawera in his debut season.
The Waratahs coach is betting on the halfback's competitive streak being more important than his form.
Wallabies Nick Phipps and Dean Mumm return for the NSW Waratahs' Super Rugby derby against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
Karmichael Hunt admits the Queensland Reds can't afford to lose another Australian conference derby if they are to reach the Super Rugby finals, underlining the importance of Saturday's clash with the NSW Waratahs.