Staying grounded after the ease of their 60-20 win over the Highlanders will be the key for the Blues when meeting the Brumbies in Melbourne on Sunday.
As the only two South Island-based teams in Super Rugby Pacific, the Crusaders and Highlanders have a unique and special rivalry, making their matches some of the most anticipated and intense in the competition.
Jeremy Thrush has made a shock return from retirement to lead the Western Force to a pulsating 34-27 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Melbourne Rebels at Perth's HBF Park.
Four second-half tries have ensured an experienced Hurricanes outfit disposed of the Queensland Reds to begin their Super Rugby Pacific season with a comfortable 47-13 victory in Townsville.
The Fijian Drua have had the last say in a match which provided 11 tries to edge Moana Pasifika 36-34 on the opening weekend of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Chiefs have rallied from 10-0 down after 20 minutes to beat the defending champion Crusaders 31-10 and pull off the first upset of the Super Rugby Pacific season in the opening match.
All Black David Havili will resume fullback duties in the talent-laden Crusaders backline that will take on the Chiefs in their Super Rugby Pacific game in Christchurch on Friday.
Wallabies captain and flanker Michael Hooper is ready for action with his Waratahs side against the Brumbies when the DHL Super Rugby Pacific season opens at the weekend.
All Black Jordie Barrett is enjoying the assurance of being able to prepare for a season to play second five-eighths for the Hurricanes and to apply lessons from last season.