The Crusaders and the Blues were the big winners of the weekend at the expense of conference rivals, the Highlanders and the Hurricanes.
The Southern battle at Carisbrook on Saturday saw the Crusaders give the Highlanders a 44 13 reality check to take the lead in the New Zealand conference.
The Crusaders head to London this week for their historic clash with the Sharks at Twickenham.
The Blues were the other big New Zealand winners, dominating the Hurricanes 41 17 at Eden Park.
The Blues jump to second in the New Zealand conference with the win, just one point behind the Crusaders.
They play the Chiefs this week who registered their second win of the season over the previously unbeaten Sharks in Hamilton.
The win takes the Chiefs within one point of the Hurricanes but they still sit last in the conference.
The Blues takes on the Chiefs on Saturday at 6.35pm while the Crusaders face the Sharks in Twickenham at 3am Monday.
Story by: Dreu Vukailagi
