CRUSADERS:

In the news: Jordan Taufua provides the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby a major boost by signing on for another two years. At times Taufua evokes comparisons to Jerome Kaino. Certainly in his approach he mirrors many of Kaino’s strengths; the aggression and ability to not only knock over but seriously hurt people is a treasured asset. Taufua has developed a eye for the line — scoring four tries this year. He regularly stations himself one off the ruck and, with a low body position, crashes over. He can offload and works tirelessly like a genuine out-and-out blindside should. Taufua is two years younger than Elliot Dixon; nine years younger than Kaino and, thus, appeals as the future. Team Talk suspects his time in the black jersey will eventually come.

The low down: Nemani Nadolo is back from his four-week suspension — and better still from a Crusaders perspective at least, has ruled himself out of Fiji’s Pacific Nations Cup tests in June. Todd Blackadder will already be sweating on the fitness of several All Blacks as Super Rugby takes its month-long hiatus next week. Like Highlanders wing Patrick Osborne, Nadolo is a passionate Fijian. But he has opted out of the June tests for family reasons. Watch for his combination with Israel Dagg to flourish further this week. Even with Sam Whitelock sidelined with a hamstring injury, the Blues should be worried.

Injury ward: Sam Whitelock, Codie Taylor, Robbie Fruean