The Australians will not break their trans-Tasman duck on Friday night, but the Blues and Highlanders will make a move up the table.
Chiefs v Highlanders: Highlanders by 8
Charlie Ngatai makes a welcome return, off the bench, for the Chiefs, while Liam Messam brings his vast experience to a pack that needs to match the Highlanders' muscle.
The Brad Weber-Damian McKenzie versus Aaron Smith-Lima Sopoaga match-ups will be juicy, but how about Nathan Harris versus Ash Dixon, finally returned to the starting XV, at hooker?
The visitors are better than they showed last weekend, but will need to take all their chances in Hamilton.
Rebels v Hurricanes: Hurricanes by 13
Nearly two years have passed since an Australian team has beaten its New Zealand counterpart in Super Rugby.
The Rebels are riding high atop the Australian conference, but now they face a searching test in which their pack will need to mark up. Step forward England lock Geoff Parling and blockbusting No 8 Amanaki Mafi, who has been playing like Akira Ioane. The Hurricanes, with three changes, will look to debutant Sam Henwood, who had a big 2017 season for the Steelers, to chop the carriers at source.
Will Genia versus TJ Perenara will be instructive, at the very least.
Blues v Sharks: Blues by 17
Rested after the bye week and (hopefully) inspired by the memory of Dylan Mika, the Blues will be gunning for nothing less than the full five points against the struggling Sharks.
This clash may not get the juices flowing quite like the 1996 final match-up on the same ground, but the stakes are high enough for Tana Umaga’s 1-3 men. Victory or bust.
Lions v Crusaders: Crusaders by 5
Other sporting events out of South Africa have somewhat overshadowed this replay of the 2017 grand final.
The Crusaders are not at full steam, and the Lions have faltered in the last fortnight. But the visitors have shown a propensity to mix their game up, via lineout drives and the like, if the going gets tight. They should respond to whatever heat the Lions exert and claim the priceless four points.
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