Blues

The home team led by 18 points with 25 minutes remaining, before the visitors from Melbourne ran in two late tries.

RNZI reports the Blues outscored the Australian conference leaders six tries to four, but with only four wins from eight matches the Blues remain at the bottom the New Zealand conference.

Umaga says it was an emotional week with the death of former player Kurtis Haiu and also the reunion of the 1996 Blues side which won the inaugural Super rugby title.

RNZI reports the 26 year old from Auckland is currently recovering from a broken arm as he pushes for a place in the New Zealand sevens side for the Rio Olympics.

Pulu has played two Tests for the All Blacks and over 50 games for the Chiefs and Counties Manukau.

Cruden, who missed most of last season due to a serious knee injury, had a hand in two of his side's five tries and scored another as the table-topping Chiefs overcame a tougher than expected performance from the lowly Blues.

Prop Mitchell Graham, wing Shaun Stevenson, centre Seta Tamanivalu and lock Brodie Retallick all scored tries for the Chiefs, with fullback Damian McKenzie slotted two conversions.

RNZI reports the home side welcome back the return of All Black lock Brodie Retallick while Dominic Bird will make his first start in the Chiefs' jersey since joining the franchise from the Crusaders during the off-season.

All Black halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow will also return from injury, starting on the bench, with Brad Webber retaining the number nine jersey.

Playing at Albany on Auckland's North Shore, the home side outscored the visitors two tries to one in a dour affair that Blues captain James Parsons said "wasn't pretty".

"We knew that was going to be the case, that's the way they like to play. We managed to match it and hold them out for 80 and I'm extremely proud of the group."

The former All Black must have been pulling out his scraggly dreadlocks on Saturday night in the coaches box as he watched his young side capitulate at Suncorp Stadium, only to come back and snatch a late draw at Suncorp Stadium.  

The Crusaders scrum was dominant from the outset and led to a penalty try to the hosts as they took a 13-3 half-time lead.

Number eight Kieran Read scored in the 68th minute and first-five Richie Mo'unga dotted down on the stroke of full-time.

The Auckland-born utility back, has signed a one year contract to play for the Blues.

The 28-year-old former Counties Manukau player is a replacement for Dan Bowden, who has been granted an early release by mutual consent to pursue rugby opportunities overseas.