These are early days in the revamped Super 15 competition, so making accurate forecasts just yet is hazardous. But after the weekend's opening round many a Kiwi might be contemplating another all-New Zealand final.
The Blues and the Crusaders, the only New Zealand sides to have won a Super title, produced easily the round's best and most compelling game.
The Blues showed grit and purpose, qualities they've been lacking in recent seasons, to overcome a big half-time deficit to sneak a deserved win. As the Crusaders, at least in the first spell, had shown all their trademark composure and efficiency this was an achievement that even the most rabid anti-Jafa might applaud.
On Friday night, in stark contrast, the Hurricanes and the Highlanders were involved in a game which would have strengthened the beliefs of those who regard playing rugby in February as an exercise in lunacy.
The Highlanders, under their new, tough-minded coach Jamie Joseph, deserved plaudits for their guts in earning a narrow win. But this was an ugly game, studded with errors and ill discipline.
Jimmy Cowan may have "milked" the episode in which he was taken out by Ma'a Nonu. But Nonu should have exercised extra caution because of his earlier sin-binning.
The Chiefs, too, were off the pace against the ACT Brumbies, never quite recovering from an early 18-nil leeway by squandering opportunities galore.
So it's likely that if there are New Zealand teams in the play-offs, and even the final, they will be the Blues and Crusaders. It's also likely that most of the All Blacks' World Cup squad, perhaps as many as 20 players, will be from the Blues and the Crusaders.
History, though, suggests that in a World Cup year having players preoccupied with Super competitions doesn't carry over to eventual All Blacks' success. In 1999, the Crusaders and the Highlanders were Super 12 finalists and, in 2003, it was the Crusaders and the Blues. No one needs a reminder of what later happened to the All Blacks in those years.
That's the other puzzle arising from this year's competition. Because of its expansion, with the play-offs not until July, it has been allowed to have what could prove a dire impact on the World Cup which starts just two months later.
Surely this has not been at the instigation of the New Zealand Rugby Union, whose interests would have been much better served if an expanded Super competition had been delayed until next year. It illustrates yet again that the competition is run mainly for the benefit of Australia and is driven by its omnipotent supremo John O'Neill.
What other logic can there be in Australia having a fifth side based in the Rules stronghold of Melbourne? With its 43-0 hammering from the Waratahs, the Rebels proved that Australia doesn't have the depth for even three sides.
Final play offs could have dire effect on Cup
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