The Crusaders and Blues are so far ahead of the rest of the competition they could take a week off for a knees-up andstill find themselves in the final. Which is great for them and their fans but not so good for anyone else. I mean, they even contrived to win their games this weekend by the exact same scoreline (39-17) and number of tries for and against (5-2). Spooky.
Biggest mystery: How Leicester Fainga'anuku scored in the left corner for Crusaders' try No1 against the Chiefs. Acrobatic, gravity-defying touchdowns have become commonplace in union and league but this was a classic of its type. Did his left foot graze the grass on the wrong side of the line? It wasn't clear and obvious, which is more than can be said for several other shockingly poor decisions by the TMO this weekend. More on this below.
Leicester Faingaanuku of the Crusaders scores a try in the tackle of Damian McKenzie. Photosport
Problems on the horizon: More a real challenge than a problem – at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon the Crusaders will encounter a side with a similarly strong pack and ambitions to match. It is likely to be a defining moment in both teams' seasons.
Special mention: The Crusaders' scrum. It's their get-out-of-jail-free card.
Remember when, not so long ago, the Blues were pretty good on paper and had good moments in games but looked panicky when they were in good attacking positions and generally wasted them via silly mistakes? And then lost the game by a generally close margin? Yeah, same here – they have improved out of sight. It's a remarkable transformation.
Biggest mystery: How and why the match officials don't understand that a pass isn't necessarily forward, according to the laws of the game, even if the ball drifts forward. If the ball travels between two players running in the same direction, then of course it will go forward. It's simple physics. And that's why a forward pass should only be ruled as such when it comes forward out of the hands. Akira Ioane's pass for brother Rieko, who went over for what should have been a spectacular try against the Highlanders, was fine according to the laws, but not according to the officials at Eden Park.
Problems on the horizon: The Blues haven't beaten the Crusaders since 2014.
Special mention: Sam Darry, the 20-year-old lock who stands over 2m tall, looked very much at home on his debut. Many, including the Power Ranker, will remember playing against his father, Hunter, in the deep south many years ago. He was a tough nut and Sam appears to have similar attributes.
20-year-old Blues lock Sam Darry with his mates at the end of his Super Rugby debut. Photosport
3. Highlanders
(Highlanders 17 Blues 39) (Record 1-2) (Last week: 2nd)
An ordinary effort against the Blues which lacked discipline and accuracy. They also looked badly under-powered across the field. Despite all that, they still come in third here due to the even more underwhelming recent performances of the Hurricanes and Chiefs.
Biggest mystery: Whether they will improve with the re-introduction of Liam Squire and Pari Pari Parkinson after their bye.
Problems on the horizon: They're the best of the rest but, after a decent effort in round one against the Crusaders, and a remarkable comeback victory over the Chiefs, they didn't fire a shot against the Blues. They also need more leadership from their No10 Josh Ioane.
Special mention: Loose forward Shannon Frizell looks in good nick.
A rare mistake-free weekend for the Hurricanes, who had a bye.
Biggest mystery: Whether Dane Coles wins his race back from a calf injury to play the Chiefs in Wellington. Fellow hooker Asafo Aumua is unlikely to be available due to a shoulder problem. The Hurricanes need at least one of these quality players in the squad.
Problems on the horizon: Their best chance of a win this season comes on Saturday when they host the Chiefs, who are on a record-equalling losing streak. Lose this and... it's a very bad loss indeed.
Special mention: Halfback Jonathan Taumateine looks a good prospect.
A genuine highlight from this match was Brad Weber's interview on Sky Sports afterwards in which he suggested, probably rightly, that the Crusaders' tactics of scrummaging for penalties is pretty boring… but also pretty effective. He was funny and honest despite being wrongly sinbinned (and giving up a penalty try) after the TMO made another blunder over a judgment on a Richie Mo'unga pass (which was clearly forward).
Biggest mystery: Where their next win is coming from.
Problems on the horizon: Another loss will take the Chiefs to a record-breaking 12 in a row defeats.
