This shapes as a potential thrill-a-thon between two teams that have gone about rebuilding in similar ways, with slightly different results.
While Mark Hammett detonated a very public bomb under the Hurricanes last season, Dave Rennie's cull at the Chiefs, who were still then coached by Ian Foster, was no
less damaging to the psyches of those told they were no longer required.
It's generally accepted they were both on the right track, though Hammett's Hurricanes were made to look a bit B-grade by the Crusaders on their own back yard last week. This week they'll be more dangerous with Cory Jane and Julian Savea back in action.
The last thing they need is a sudden collapse, a la the similarly rebuilt 2011 Highlanders, because the doubting Thomases will raise their heads again.
The Chiefs have no such concerns, but they've made a big point of saying respect is hard-earned and easily lost.
