The Crusaders remain the only unbeaten team in the competition after the Stormers were knocked over by the Lions. But with the Cantabrians looking irresistible, there are still 10 rounds left in regular season play, not to mention a six-week international break.
Taking that into consideration, here are five things we learned from the weekend.
1. Richie Mo’unga hasn’t missed a beat
Mo’unga may have missed the last seven weeks of Super Rugby through injury but watching him play on Friday night, you wouldn’t have known it.
The 22-year-old slotted in seamlessly behind a dominant Crusaders forward pack with his kicking game and his ability to direct traffic a welcome addition. If he can stay fit, you can lock the Crusaders in for a finals performance.
2. Sonny Bill Williams did his All Blacks hopes no favours
Last week I asked whether Sonny Bill Williams would be an All Black in 2017 and after a very patchy game against the Hurricanes, that question still remains.
Returning from an achilles injury is no easy feat and Saturday night proved how hard it is. Clearly lacking game time, Williams seemed a little lost on the field and looked to force it with ball in hand.
There’s no doubt he’ll get better but even if he does, will he be inside the top four midfielders in the country come June?
3. Hard-working Hurricanes carve a different path
The Hurricanes have always been known as a side to have the big names, however their past two seasons has showed the wider squad is in a very good spot.
The way they’ve coped with the loss of the likes of Dane Coles and Michael Fatialofa up front is a testament to the environment fostered by Chris Boyd and is reflected in their 2015 and 2016 season results.
Ricky Riccitelli continued his standout work in the Canes pack against the Blues and Vaea Fifita was forced on early after Fatialofa suffered yet another setback.
4. The Chiefs could face a hard time rebuilding
The Chiefs are on fire and the European-bound trio of Tawera Kerr Barlow, Aaron Cruden and James Lowe are powering their stellar 2017 surge.
However, once they cash in and depart at the end of the year along with coach Dave Rennie, they’re going to be big shoes to fill.
With Rennie a world-class coach, Chiefs fans would hope there’s been a suitable succession plan in place but planning it is one thing, finding world-class talent is another.
5. Remember the name Shaun Stevenson
While the Chiefs may struggle to find like-for-like talent for TKB, Cruden and Lowe next season, a player who looks to be a star in waiting and could replace Lowe on the wing is Shaun Stevenson.
His work rate and his ability was clear as soon as he came on the park against the Cheetahs, providing the Chiefs with the impact to help them to an impressive win. His enthusiasm means he’s a little inefficient with the work he undertakes but that’ll come with time.
Matt Tewhatu is a Newshub Sport reporter