The Highlanders have cruelly denied Fijian Drua a historic win in their first Super Rugby Pacific match played at home, with a full house at Suva's ANZ Stadium unable to lift their team to victory.
The Chiefs have made it three on the trot with a tight win over the Queensland Reds. The result further soured for the home side with a potential calf injury to Taniela Tupou.
Highlanders urgency meets Fijian Drua determination to achieve a win in their first game on home soil promises a memorable Super Rugby Pacific game in Suva on Saturday.
Look to captain and flanker Dalton Papalii's return to have an impact for the Blues in their Super Rugby Pacific game against the Force in Perth on Friday.
Stepping up from their 30-point turnaround win over the Reds to get the benefits of a better start is occupying the Hurricanes' minds ahead of Sunday's Super Rugby Pacific game with the Brumbies in Canberra.
The Brumbies restored some pride in Australian rugby by claiming the first Kiwi scalp of Super Round with a hard-fought 28-17 victory over the Highlanders.
NSW Waratahs' hopes of claiming an early Kiwi scalp at AAMI Park were brought undone by some ill-disciplined rugby, with the Chiefs capitalising to bank a 51-27 Super Rugby Pacific victory.
Turning around a loss to the Blues while on the road for 23 days in Australia will be the goal for the Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific, starting with their Sunday game against the Rebels in Super Round Melbourne, presented by Fiji Airways.
Preparing to play the Chiefs on Friday in the first of six games in the Melbourne Super Round, the Waratahs believe they have the legs to be more competitive than they were in 2021.
Hanging on for a desperate 22-21 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Highlanders, the Hurricanes now look comfortable in the top-eight place but must find improvements against Australian sides.