OPINION: Six weeks ago, Canterbury were sitting near the bottom of the Mitre 10 Cup premiership table, after losing their opening three-games.
They had everyone - myself included - wondering if they had enough to contend for a ninth title this year.
Fast-forward and they now sit inside the top four, with the Ranfurly Shield in their sheds and preparing to play in the semi-finals again.
After beating Otago for the 'Log O' Wood' this week, they have secured a top-four spot and now face a challenge from North Harbour to end the regular season.
With just one week left, there is still so much to play for, but one thing is certain - never count out the red-and-blacks.
1. Tasman (P)
Last week: First (-)
This week: Beat Northland 52-6
They took a while, but they rolled Northland to stay unbeaten and cement their place atop the Mitre 10 Cup power rankings.
Next week: Hawke's Bay (Saturday)
2. Bay of Plenty (C)
Last week: Second (-)
This week: Beat Manawatu 46-10
Another impressive win for 'The Bay' to secure a home semi-final and a chance to finish first in the championship, heading into the playoffs.
Next week: Southland (Thursday)
3. Hawke's Bay (C)
Last week: Fourth (+1)
This week: Beat Counties Manukau 22-10
A great defensive performance from the 'Magpies', with Gareth Evans the star of the night and Tiaan Falcon turning heads with his run to set up their final try.
Next week: Tasman (Saturday)
4. Canterbury (P)
Last week: Fifth (+1)
This week: Beat Otago 35-25
A good win for Canterbury to claim the Ranfurly Shield. If they can win next week, they'll hold it for the off-season - not a bad way to finish, after losing their first three matches.
Next week: North Harbour (Sunday)
5. North Harbour (P)
Last week: Eighth (+3)
This week: Beat Wellington 42-34
Peaking at the right time of the year, with a superb first 40 minutes to put away Wellington. Now, they face Canterbury to earn a spot in the semi-finals.
Next week: Canterbury (Sunday)
6. Wellington (P)
Last week: Third (-3)
This week: Lost to North Harbour 42-24
Tried their hardest to mount a massive comeback in the final 20 minutes, but the damage was done in the first half. Still safely into the playoffs.
Next week: Waikato (Saturday)
7. Auckland (P)
Last week: Ninth (+2)
This week: Beat Southland 64-7
Ran rampant against a bad Southland team to give them a chance of defending their premiership title. They need a win next week against Taranaki and a loss for North Harbour against Tasman.
Next week: Taranaki (Friday)
8. Waikato (P)
Last week: 11th (+3)
This week: Beat Taranaki 38-19
A big win for the Mooloos, which leaves them with an outside chance to make the top four. They need a win and two other results to go their way.
Next week: Wellington (Saturday)
9. Taranaki (C)
Last week: Seventh (-2)
This week: Lost to Waikato 38-19
A disappointing result for the Bulls, after winning their first three games. They need a win against Auckland to guarantee a top-four finish.
Next week: Auckland (Friday)
10. Otago (C)
Last week: Sixth (-4)
This week: Lost to Canterbury 35-25
A tough pill to swallow for the southern men, after holding the Ranfurly Shield for nearly a year, their reign is over! Still right in the hunt for a top-four finish, heading into next week.
Next week: Northland (Sunday)
11. Manawatu (C)
Last week: 10th (-1)
This week: Lost to Bay of Plenty 46-10
Lost their first game of the season with Laumape in the side, against a Steamers side on a roll. They take on the relegation-bound Counties Manukau next week.
Next week: Counties Manukau (Saturday)
12. Counties Manukau (P)
Last week: 12th (-)
This week: Lost to Hawke's Bay 22-10
Not a good match for the Steelers, slumping to their eighth loss of the season, with just one win, and now guaranteed relegation next season.
Next week: Manawatu (Saturday)
13. Southland (C)
Last week: 13th (-)
This week: Lost to Auckland 64-7
Pummelled into the ground by an Auckland side desperate to make the premiership semi-finals. A tough season for the Stags, with only one win so far, although judged on their last two seasons, that could still be seen as a success.
Next week: Bay of Plenty (Thursday)
14. Northland (C)
Last week: 14th (-)
This week: Lost to Tasman 52-6
They did well to hang in there against a rampant Mako side, defending their line well for 60 minutes, before conceding 26 points in the final 15 minutes.
Next week: Otago (Sunday)
Luke Robinson is a Newshub online sports producer.