Recognising that if they want to be genuine Super Rugby Pacific title contenders, the Chiefs took plenty from their inability to maintain their stranglehold of the game in a poor second half against Moana Pasifika in Melbourne on Saturday.
ACT Brumbies half back Nic White said "Test match intensity" was on display as his side upset the highly-rated Blues to send an early message in the Super Rugby Pacific season.
Moana Pasifika got off to the worst possible start and things did not improve much from there as the Chiefs romped to a 52-29 victory in their Super Round rugby clash in Melbourne.
The Crusaders have bounced back from last week’s loss to the Chiefs in resounding fashion by thumping the Highlanders 52-15 in the opening game of the Melbourne Super Round.
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.