The stakes keep getting higher in Super Rugby Pacific with round four set to bring more grudge matches, pivotal clashes, and the start of new rivalries.
Midfield will again be the focus for the Blues when they take on the Highlanders in Super Rugby Pacific at Albany Stadium on Friday, but not for the reasons in their earlier games.
Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan has a personal interest in what he calls an exciting entry by the Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific this year.
The Blues have avoided a second consecutive heart-breaking loss to begin the Super Rugby Pacific season after Chiefs substitute Bryn Gatland missed a long-range penalty kick to win the game.
Stand-in captain James O'Connor has produced a playmaking masterclass to lead the injury-hit Queensland Reds to a 29-16 win over the Western Force in Perth.
Last-gasp losers a week ago, the Blues are determined to continue to develop their game plan when meeting the Chiefs at Eden Park in their Super Rugby Pacific game on Saturday afternoon.
Moana Pasifika captain Sekope Kepu has had a stellar career, but leading his side into Super Rugby Pacific against the Crusaders in Dunedin on Friday, will be one of the toughest Tests.