Rugby: A rare winning weekend for New Zealand teams

Blues first-five Stephen Brett comes up against his former team the Crusaders in Christchurch this week. Photo / Getty Images

Historical heavyweights, the Blues and Crusaders, will measure their latest Super 14 calibre this weekend after some curious early competition blips and surges in their rugby fortunes.

The only New Zealand champions since the professional series started 15 years ago, both sides ran into some strong weekend form to create an intriguing comparison of the teams and individuals on Saturday in Christchurch.

Both crested the victor's podium, which became a rare New Zealand clean sweep when the Highlanders claimed their first win in the tough atmosphere of Bloemfontein.

The Chiefs, with an unprecedented third overseas victory, and the Hurricanes continued their victorious paths, but the Bulls maintained their lead in the series after claiming a repeat maximum-point haul against the Waratahs.

This is all new territory for the Chiefs and even more laudable because they have been away from home and without a number of high-profile players.

Captain Mils Muliaina has been on leave and stand-in leader Sione Lauaki was injured then suspended. Senior locks Kevin O'Neill and Craig Clarke are injured.

They need to maintain the rage this round against the Reds in Hamilton before they then test their calibre against the Crusaders.

The seven-time champions regained some momentum when they dispatched the Sharks, who imploded in the final quarter as travel fatigue and relentless forays from the Crusaders bit into their defences.

Meanwhile, the Blues claimed a hit- and-run 27-18 victory against the Reds in storm-hit Brisbane to solidify their start to coach Pat Lam's second season.

It was a precious second away win in an awkward itinerary with the Blues still left to travel to Sydney then undertake a three-game trip to South Africa.

Lam tried to downplay the magnitude of his side's next task this Saturday.

"It is just another challenge. Again, like I said last week, that is the beauty of the competition," he said before giving an extra perspective on the task.

"Every game is tough and nothing gets tougher than going down to the Crusaders in Christchurch."

This game marks the end of the Blues opening segment before they have a bye. Lam did not list any injuries from the weekend, but the side would have medical tests when they returned home.

Selection interest will focus on whether All Black loosehead prop Tony Woodcock is reinstated for a duel with the Franks brothers and whether Rene Ranger will be retained at centre.

Ranger did well in awkward conditions in an unfamiliar role at Ballymore and is a dangerous attacker although he looks more comfortable when he plays on the wing.

One-time All Black utility Anthony Tuitavake has been training well after various injuries and may be considered, at least for a bench role, against the Crusaders.

The Crusaders were able to reintroduce All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw for 30 minutes' work against the Sharks and he is sure to reclaim his No 7 jersey this weekend.

There may be some doubt, though, about No 8 Thomas Waldrom, who limped off late after a seriously productive evening against the Sharks.

Prop Ben Franks was also replaced because of a leg injury, while All Black lock Isaac Ross missed the match with ankle problems.

Crusaders' coach Todd Blackadder rated the 35-6 win against the Sharks as a huge improvement. "We can still improve.

"Our lineout wasn't as good as it could be, but our scrum was fantastic and the attitude overall vastly better," he said.

Blues skipper Keven Mealamu was concerned his scrum came under pressure several times because they relaxed and did not get the delivery channel right. However, he felt some remedial work this week would address those issues.

The game will feature a "homecoming" for Blues first five-eighths Stephen Brett and the inevitable comparisons with All Black star Daniel Carter.

Brett has made a steady start for the Blues, showing many nice touches in his direction and a couple of headline blemishes with passing and kicking intercepts.