Fijian Drua replacement Taniela Rakuro dives over to score the match winning try, to win 36-34 - Super Rugby Pacific - Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
Well, that was pretty good, wasn't it? Super Rugby burst back onto the scene over the weekend and the quality, pace and individual performances across the board were impressive. Already there's plenty to talk about in both the Pacific and Aupiki competitions, with a couple of thrillers and some serious hidings.
But the main point is that, as a product, rugby union seems to be listening to its fans and adjusting accordingly. Here's a low down on what else is making news:
Unintended consequences
Speeding up lineouts isn't just about the clock - While the Chiefs' 31-10 blowout of the Crusaders in Christchurch was mainly down to the fact that the visitors have an incredibly stacked team and played to the best of their abilities, there was a bit of an unintended consequence to the enforcement of the set piece promptness laws.
For a long time now, the Crusaders have dictated the pace of the game by slowing things down, but because of the no-huddle stipulation it not only wiped that out, but also caused confusion and contestability when the ball was thrown in. The Chiefs feasted on the scraps thrown their way, staying in touch for a punishing second half that few saw coming.
Back three taking shape?
The player of the round was Mark Telea, who seemed to pick up where he left off at the end of last year's All Black tour and laid waste to the Highlanders every time he touched the ball.
Not far behind him was Shaun Stevenson, who is becoming one of the most reliable assets in a Chiefs side that has no excuses not to make a deep run in this competition. If we are talking All Blacks, right now those two are wearing 11 and 14.
Hit the scrum machine
Everything about the Hurricanes Poua's first 20 minutes at Levin Domain was outstanding, shooting out to a 21-5 lead over Chiefs Manawa. Then, they had to pack down some scrums and everything went wrong, as Manawa won a series of tightheads that led to 48 unanswered points getting shipped the other way. The most baffling bit is that the Poua's front row contained a current and former Black Fern.
The Highlanders have issues
It's going to be a long season ahead for the Highlanders if they can't fill the gaps that the Blues ran 60 points through. Amazingly, captain Billy Harmon claimed post-match that their "defence was pretty top notch", which should have resulted in an immediate HIA.
Young and hungry
Matatū headed into Saturday's clash with the Blues Women as underdogs and winless. When they led 19-0 after scoring three very well-constructed tries, any assessments of how they might struggle in Aupiki after losing Kendra Cocksedge and the Bremner sisters had been blown out of the water. While the game came down to a missed conversion, the well-drilled Matatū are only going to get better by the looks.
Matatu's Lucy Jenkins. Photo: BLAKE ARMSTRONG
Julian Savea on the brink of history
Surpassing Israel Folau's tally of 60 tries in Super Rugby (just imagine how much more that would have been if he didn't get himself banished) has been a race between two Hurricanes.
With TJ Perenara and Julian Savea both on 59 and Perenara not due back on the park for another couple of months, the path is clear for that mark to be broken by the veteran winger. Especially if the Canes keep up the sort of form that saw them trash the Reds in Townsville.
Battle of the Pacific delivers
The Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika turned on exactly the sort of match everyone had been hoping for from them at Mt Smart - high-scoring, down to the wire and with some stunning skill on display.
Fijian Drua replacement Taniela Rakuro celebrates scoring the match winning try, to win 36-34 - Super Rugby Pacific - Moana Pasifika v Fijian Drua at Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport
The only problem is that their return match in Lautoka isn't till the second to last round, by which stage both sides might be on their last legs after comparatively brutal schedules.
